The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1911-07-21
CHAPTER XVIII. .(continued.)

TITS only JIM" I whispered. II
don't want to hear any more"
But she clutched me firmly, and the
next thing we heard was another
creak, and louder and
Get up! Get up off your knees
this Instant" Bella was saying frant-
ically. Some one might come in"
Don't send me away" Jim said in
a smothered voice. Every one in the
house is asleep, and 81 love you,
dear"
Aunt Selma swallowed hard in the
darkness.
you have no right to make love
to me-" Bella. 'It's-it's highly i'm
proper, under the circumstances"
And then Jim:. ''You swallow a
camel and stick at a gnat Why did
you meet me here, If you didn't ex-
pect me to make love to you? I've
stood for a lot, Bella, but this foolish
ness will have to end. Either you
love me-or you don't. I'm desper-
ate" He drew long, forlorn breath.
Poor old JIM" This was Bella. A
pause. Then-"Let my hand alone!"
Also Bella.
'It is my hand!"-Jim's most ia
tuous tone. There is where you
wore my ring. There's the mark
ring finger What did you do with
it? Throw it away?" More sounds.
Aunt Selma crossed the library
swiftly, and again 1 followed Bella
was sitting in a low chair by the fire,
looking at the logs, in the most ex-
quisite negligee of pink chiffon and
ribbon. Jim was on his knees, star
ing at her adoringly, and holding both
her hands.
'Tll tell you a secret" Bella was
saying, looking as coy as she knew
how-which was considerable. Ct
still wear it, on a chain around my
neck"
On a chain around her neck! Bella,
who is decolette whenever it is al
lowable, and more than Is proper!
That was the limit of Aunt Selma g
endurance. Still holding me, she
stepped through the doorway and into
the freight, a fearful figure.
Jim saw her first He went quite
white and struggled to get up, smiling
a sickly smile. Bella, after her first
surprise, was superbly Indifferent She
glanced at us, raised her eyebrows
and then looked at the clock.
More victims Of insomnia" she
said. Wont you come in? Jim, pull
up chair by the fire for your aunt.
Aunt Selma opened her mouth
twice, like a fish. before she could
speak Then
James, l demand that that woman
leave the housed" she said hoarsely.
Bella leaned back and yawned.
James. shall l go?" she asked
amiably. -.
Nonsense" Jim said, pulling him
self together as best he could Lsei
here, Aunt Selma, you know she can
go out and what's more, I-dont
want her to go"
"You-what?" Aunt Selma screech
ed, taking a step forward. You have
the audacity to say such a thing tt
mel"
Bella leaned over and gave the
| fire log a punch.
Il was just saying that he shouldn'
say such things to me, either" she
remarked pleasantly. I'm afraic
| you'll take cold, Miss Caruthers
Wouldn't you like a hot sherry flip?'
Aunt Selma gasped. Then she sa
down heavily on one of the carved
teakwood chairs.
He said he loved you; l heart
him." she said weakly. "He-he wa
going to put his arm around you!"
Habit" Jim put in, trying to smile
"You see, Aunt Selma, it's-well, it,
a habit l got into some time ago, ant
my arm. does 1t without my think
ing about it."
Habit" Aunt Selma repeated
her voice thick with passion. Thel
she turned to me. GO to your room
at once!" she said in her most awfu