Omaha daily bee., 1911-04-09
cHAPTnR xxI1-con,lnued.

prospect Of hearing something definite
about Maxwell. and her face looked brighter
Tor H. McBride's glance OF admiration was
unmistakable as he stood there. hat in
hand, simply devourlng her with his eyes:
but he was evidently nervous end IN at
ease. He was suddenly recalled to himself
by seeing her glance at the card he had
sent up. which she now held In her hand
Miss Ohlstrom, IL want to make a con
fession to you, Miss Ohlstrom. Dash 1t ALI
I'm not Mr.. Hartley at all. My name is
James Mcbride" he blurted out.
Indeed she answered very quietly lift
ing her eyebrows a trifle, perhaps, but
without betraylng the expected surprise.
Yes. I'm Mr.. Hartley's confidential man
in the office, you know" he stammered.
MY father told me last night that Mr.
Hartley had no grown-up children" Her
voice was very calm and business-like.
That was Mr.. Hartley that came into
the room while you were there, you know
You see, II was this way"
But he addressed you as Mr.. Hartley"
she interrupted, looking very grave Il
really don't understand such things but
l suppose they are considered necessary
in some offices"
Well. you see. Miss Ohlstrom, Mr. Hart
ley is bothered to death with all sorts of
people, this time Of year, and they distract
his attention from important business. So
he asked me to represent him. And then
you came in, and
Il really don't care 20 hear your ex-
plantations, or your reasons for conducting
your businsss in your own way" she said
quickly. III you will be good enough to
give me any information you have with re-
gard TO Mr. Maxwell, l shall be grateful
for mo to explain your presence here
should my parents return. Mr.-Let me see;
what is your name now2"
What is your name now? Great heavensl
And this was the Sunday afternoon visit
that he had lived on the hopes of for the
last forty eight hours! He could have wept
for very humiliation.
Dash Il all Miss Ohlstrom, it's not my
fault" he cried. IL have to obey orders. l
came up here to set myself straight with
you, and to beg your pardon for having
deceived you. My name is James Mcbride.
/"
Really. Mr.. Mcbride" Helen interrupted
Il fail TO see any necessity for your set
ting yourself straight, as you call it. 1t is
no concern OF mine what name you choose
to assume. IL you will be good enough to
y give me the information which l presume
It was the object OF your visit to bring
I will trouble you to forget that we ever
met and TO leave the house at once"
why, really. Miss Ohlstrom, this is I'M
Just, as well as unklnd. 1t is not my fault
that had to tell you 1 was Mr.. Hartley"
The poor fellow was red with modification.
Pardon me. Mr.. Mcbride. l do not wish
to hear any excuses. Have you Mr. Max
wells present address, or any news Of
him?"
sometehing in her manner and tone made
his blood boil Drawing himself up to his
full height, his eyes flashing with sudden
anger. he blurted out:
"Mr. Hartley says he never heard of
any such persons as Maynard or Maxwell
He says you are mistaken in calling upon
him. It must be some other Mr.. Hartley
you are thinking about"
Even as he spoke, the young man felt
himself becoming more angry every mo-
ment. lie could not trust himself further,
30 he bowed stiffy and backed toward the
door. with very curt. II wish you good
afternoon" The tones of his voice were
very different from those that went over
the telephone wire a few days before
'OnO moment, please" she gasped, COM
ing toward him with both hands out
stretched. He stood there. closed the door,
mOtionless, his eyes still blazing with
wounded pride. She passed one hand over
her forehead. half dazed. This tissue of
tRlsehoods seemed to make her dizzy. Not
the right Mr.. Hartley Never heard OF
Maynard or Maxwell! 1t was incredible.
what did It all mean?
~ zone moment, please" she repeated
you must be mistaken. Mr.. George Hart
ley is the president of the Hardware Trust,
Is he notT'
Yes" he almost snapped.
And a friend OF Mr.. Douglas?"
Not at all. They are very far from
friends, for business reasons. But you will
excuse me. l must be going. Your parents
might return lie said II almost with a
sneer, making another step backward
! Just one moment. please" she pleaded,
putting out her hand II to hold him,
She was terrified to think that her last
chance to learn anything OF her lover was
escaping her. Something In her action
something In her look. touched the man
for the moment. What a beauty she was
after all. he thought. What is there in a
pretty girl. Just on the verge OF tears
that will make q man act like a fool? on
the impulse OF the moment he forgot his
wounded pride, and grasped the oustretched
hand ana held Il, held it firmly, in spite
VI AANA NAANAN " NAAAhAa" IL re NNuh q
step toward her. and looked her straight
in the eyes.
Now listen. Miss Ohlstrom. / came uI
here TO set myself straight with you, and
20 apologize for having deceived you. Bust
ness may be business; but dash It all
felt like a beastly cad about lying TO yol
that way, and then having to come her,
and send you up a false name. / though
you would forgive me, and that then / NIGH
be Of some assistance TO you. / could no
help feeling that YOU were the sort o
girl that one had 20 be sincere with ever
before | saw you; when I first heard IN,
sound OF your voice" She got her han,
free, but ne went on: Il hated 20 thinl
that II you should ever meet me, or Sc
me, and find out that 1 was not Mr.. Hart
ley, that you would look upon me as a ly
ing cad Whether I ever see you again o
not, I want your good opinion
After a moment OF silence he continued
IN tone OF less assurance.
IL cannot do any more than aclSnowledg
that / did wrong Now won't you forgiv
= me?"