The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-11
Page Of
Interest
W[1ENAMANMARRES
1hen@afomwhIh the Play SEvENlNSwaS made
BYNtAU ROBERTS RINE1ART
Author ofnE0DINR SMRNHs'' TEiiANN LOwERIh
Copyright. 1909. The Robbs- Merrill O

glanced at me--"for drink of water.
But as l don't know a pearl from
glass bed, ] hope you exonerate me-
Everybody laughed and said, lot
course" and Sure. old man. and
changed the subject quickly. While
that excitement was on, / got Jim
to one side and told him about Bella.
His good natured face was radiant at
first.
II suppose she did come to see
Takahlro, eh, kit" he asked deli
cately She didn't say anything
about me ?"
Nothing good. She said the house
was in disgracefui condition" l said
heartlessly. And her diamond brace
let was stolen while she took nap
on the kitchen table groaned-
.'and--oh. Jim, you are such goose!
If / could only manage my own af-
fairs the way 1 could my friends!
She's too sure of you, Jimmy. She
knows you adore her, and-how
brutal could you be. Jim p
Fair" he said. II may have I'M
discovered depths of brutality that
I have never had occasion to use.
However, l might try. Why"
Listen. jim" / urged. 1T was
always Bella who did things here; she
managed the house. she tyrannized
over her friends. and she bullied YOU
Yes, she did. Now she's here, with
out your invitation, and she has to
stay. It's your turn to bully, to die
tate terms. TO be coldly civil or
politely rude. Make her furious at
you If she is jealous. so much the
better"
How far you'd you sacrifice your
self on the altar of friendship" he
asked.
You may pay me ell the attention
you like. in public" / replied, ana
after we shook hands we went to-
gether to Bella.
There was an ominous pause when
we went into the den. Bella was sit
ting by the register, with her furs
on, and after one glance over her
shoulder aS us. she looked away
again without speaking,
Bella" Jim said appealingly. And
then / pinched his arm, and he drew
himself I'D and looked pro perls,-o1lt-
ragged.
bella" he said. coldly this time,
II can't imagine why you have put
yourself in this ridiculous position.
but since You have"
She turned on him In fury,
Put myself in this position She
was frantic. Its a plot. a wretched
trick OF yours Ihis qudIahtlIle, 70
keep me here.
Jim gasped. but / gave him
warning glance, and he swallowed
hard
ION the contrary he SAID. with
rs4addening quiet. would be the
last person in the world to wish TO
perpetuate an indiscretion of yours
For it was hardly discreet. was IL. TO
visit a bachelor establishment alone
at ten o'clock at night As far as
my plotting TO keep you here is con
cerned. assure YOU that nothing
could he further from my mind. Our
paths were to be two parallel lines
that never touch He looked at me
for approval. and Bella was choking
You are worse than I ever thought
YOU" she stOrmed. Il thought you
were only IA fool, Now l know
you--for a brute
Well. II ended by Jim's graciously
being nothing else to do--and by his
permitting Bella to remain-there
being nothing else to do-and by his
magnanimously agreeing to keep her
real identity from Aunt Selma and
Mr. HARRISON. and TO break the news
Of her presence 10 Anne and the RESI-.
II created a sensation beside which
Anne's pearls faded away. although
they came TO the front again soon
enough.
ITO BE Continued