Evening star., 1911-08-17
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Whole Truth.
iss Dearmer" he stammered

Miss Dearmer." he stammered
"Mr Gordon believer" she said, prim-
ly. She wore a simple gray dress. which
he remembered to have seen and liked on
the ship. How sweet, how dear she was.
with her soft, bright eyes and long. curled
eyelashes.
Involuntarily he put out his hand. but
she seemed not to see the gesture and
the hand dropped.
Il used the name. Thought it was
better" he explained. trying to keep his
head.
YES No doubt it was better" she an
swered.
And 1T really is my name" he went on
"One Of my names"
"You have so many?"
MY sponsors In baptism
THE newspapers accused you of being
your own sponsor"
THE newspapers accused me-what dc
you mean?''
Surely you know. ] told you I should
read about you, but / expected to read
very different things. However, we won't
talk of that now
But we must For a moment he was
the old, masterful Loveland. We must.
/ want to know what you mean.''
That can wait awhile. l came to ask
what you mean. Though / did read the
y
here. I'm acting for my friend Sidney
Cremer. A cousin of Sidney's and mine.
who lives a few miles out OF Ashville,
saw Lord Bob advertised for perform
ance and telegraphed. Sidney couldn't
come. but my aunt brought me tonight.
as Sidney Cremer's interests and mine are
rather closely allied. And you know,
nobody has a right to produce the play
without the authors permission"
Yes. | know" answered Loveland, de-
jectedy. But his depression arose, not
SO much from the consciousness of wrong
doing, as from the suspicion engendered
by the girls tore In speaking of Sidney
Cremer Cremers interests and hers were
CLOSELY allied. She had blushed ard
even faltered q little as she made the
statement. and Val sprang instantly to
the conclusion that she was engaged to
marry Cremer.
1t had never occurred to him. when they
played at platonic friendship on board the
Mauretania, that Lesley Dearmer might
be engaged. She had never said in so
many words that she was not, but she
hadn't at all the manner of a girl who
had disposed OF her future. In any case.
however, whether the affair were new or
of old standing. Lovelard felt miserably
certain that she was engaged now. And
he stood convicted OF defrauding the man
whom she intended to marry. Was there
any depth of wretchedness or of humilia-
tion which the thirteenth Marquis OF
Loveland had rot plumbed at last?
"You admit that you knew, and yet you
produced and played in the piece?"
Il did But he hesitated. Should
he attempt to excuse himself. to disclaim
responsibility. or would that only seem
cowardly in her eyes?
"But-what? You see, I'm bound to re-
port to my friend"
Your friend.' broke out Loveland. los
ing his head. You are going to marry
him.
Sidney Cremer?''
Yes. You don't deny it,
She laughed gently. why should I
deny ito you? Have you any right to
question me or bring me to book-about
anything, Mr.. Gordon?"
Il know have no right" he admitted.
Forgive me He guessed that her em-
phasis and her frequent repetition of the
name Gordon meant that she wished
him to understand the change in their re-
lationship. To her he was now only Cor
don the actor. who had stolen Sidney
Cremer's play. The past was to be for
gotten.
II must remind you again. Lesley went
on, in a cool. businesslike manner. though
her eyes were starry. that have come
twenty miles to question you. And my
aunt is waiting for you with the cousi's
who telegraphed about Lord Bob You
know you mustn't go on using Sidney
CremerS play
1--WE have no Intention OF doing So"
said Loveiand. And then In as few
words as possible without any a.-empt
at defending himself for his par: in the
transa ction, he explained BADLY that the
mar ager had deserted the company, and
that they had only one piece, Lord I;1t. =
They had produced it for three nights. IN
the hope of mahins money enough 10 get
away but the res ult had proved disar,-
pointing.
my affairs are rather in 4 n.uddie INST
now Loveland finished. but as soon ss
1 get them Strengthened out again, which
expect to do shortly. will myself pay
Mr.. Cremer's fee for these performances.
IL you'll let me know what they are"
.'Oh. Sidney wouldn't want You to Go
that" the girl explained. ''I-neither Of
us knew that the company was In trouble.
My cousins here didn't tell us that sup
pose they didn't know, either. We thought
il was simply an ordinary case OF piracy.
But | can answer for Sidney a. if &.
were for myself. He wouldn't want fees
and he wouldn't take any severe meas
ures in such a case as this. If only :ou
give me your word. Lord Lo--, | mean
Mr.. Gordon, that these people won go
about the country playing :hls piece, I'll
ask nothing more"
You may set Mr.. Cremer's mind al ress
about that" I.oveland answered. bitterly
"They aren't likely to go about the :oun-
try playing any piece
"You mean. they-you-are stranded
here"' inquired Lesley.
"Oh. I'm all right" Loveland said, hur-
riedly, far from wishing to pose as an OBJ