The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-08-10
CHAPTER ZXII


frowned as he noted that the
~ room into which he was shown
adioined the suit Lillian occupied. In.
side the room he examined the com
muncatine door. There was no key
In It; but, STOPPING down to inspect
the bolt, he could see that IL was
locked, and, with a nod of satisfaction,
he made haste to get to rest. He had
scarcely begun to undress, however,
when the communicating door opened,
and Lillian, clad in the same kimono
In which she had before entered his
in New York. came in. laughing as IL
her act were but n childish prank.
Have you no discretion whateverT
Kelvin demanded, with some impa-
tience.
mot much" she answered gayly.
"What Is the use OF II in a poky. hum
drum place like this. where everybody
is deaf. dumb and blind? Come, I
want to show you something"
"Pll look at II I'm the morning" re-
turned Kelvin.
"In the morning won't do" she in
sisted. 1T will be too late then"
She insisted so strongly that Kelvin
finally went with her into her own
apartments. She went TO her desk and
brought letter.
"See." she said, "I have found
note written by George Bagg to Ben
White. the father of your precious
friend Elsie while he was still gar
dener. Blagg has been contracting
for a million rifles. for one thing"
As she spoke she seemed to he listen
ing intently. Phillip reached out his
hand for the misslve She thrust 1t
quickly behind her back and looked up
at him with bantering eyes. "Is that
the way you express your thanks"
she playfully protested. "You shan't
have It until you show yourself more
grateful than that" And she pursed
up her lips.
With something of reluctance Phil
lip bent pSHvard TO give her the stipu-
lated kiss. and as he did so she sud
denly threw her arms Tbout his neck.
At that instant the hall door opened
wide at the hand of Lucy, and Henry
Breed stalled in. followed by DR.. Eel
phan and Herbert Rensselaer, and his
aunt. Phillip and Lillian instantly
sprang apart, but II was too late. The
tableau had been seen. Henry Breed
was the first TO find his voice.
"Lucy told us that Lillian wished to
see us in her room and led the way"
he observed dryly, 'but Lucy seems to
have been mistaken"
"She was" asserted Lillian coolly,
"but since you are here I may as well
tell you a bit OF news, grandfather.
You may announce tomorrow that the
long standing secret engagement be-
tween Phillip and myself is to eulmi-
nate in an immediate wedding. We
were Just discussing the date. think
about the first of next month will suit
us best, won't 1t, Phillip" and her
hand sought his.
Phillip, half confused half angry.
put as good face upon the matter as
he could and agreed. with every ap-
pearanee OF suavity, that the first was
an luedl udte. hHNlnR announced luelr
intention, the surprised couple were
able to look their captors in the face
with more or less of cool defiance. In
Herbert's eyes Kelvin saw grave re-
monsuance. DR.. Zelphan was openly
chuckling. Henry Breed was smiling
and rubbing his withered old palms to-
! gether. The shocked and horrified Mrs.
Rensselaer, finally found her motive
power and. sailing into the room. took
Lillian's arm under her own and
marched away with her to her own
apartments. DR.. Zelphan was the first
to congratulate Phillip, shaking hands
with him heartily.
1T is a wonderful match" said he
with sardonic glee, ian ideal match"
Henry Breed delightedly patted Kel
vim on the shoulder and called him
son, and II never seemed 10 cross his
mind that there had been anything In
the circumstances to incur his disap
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