Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-07-03
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER AAll.
! ~HN led him back into the oth0r
wing Of the house, and he
frowned as he noted that the
- room into which be was shown
adjoined the suit Lillian occupied. In
side the room he examined the COM
munfcatins door, There was no key
In It: bat, STOPPING down to Inspect
the bolt, no could see that it was
locked, and. with 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
private apartments at the Esplanade
IN New York, came in, laughing as If
her act were but q childish prank.
Have you no discretion whatever"
Kelvin demanded, with some impa-
thence.
"Not much" she answered gayly.
"What is the use of it in a poky, hum
drum place like this, where every body
Is deaf, dumb and blind? Come, I
want to show you something"
I'll look at it in the morning" re-
turned Kelvin.
.'In the morning won't do" she in
sisted ct will be too late then"
She insisted so strongly that Kelvin
finally went with her into her own
apartments. Shewent to her desk and
brought a letter.
"See," she said, "I have found
note written by George Blagg 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 be listen
ing intently. Phillip reached out his
hand for the misslve. She thrust 1t
quickly behind her back and looked up
Mt him with bantering eyes. "1s that
the way you express your thanks"
she playfully protested. "You shan't
have it until you show yourself more
pra teful than that" And she pursed
up her lips.
With something of reluctance Phil
lin bent forward to give her the st1pu-
lated kiss. and as he did so she sud
denly threw her arms about his neck.
At that instant the hall door opened
wide ut the hand of Lucy, and Henry
Breed stalked in. followed by DR.. Eel
phap and Herbert Rensselaer, and his
aunt. Phillip and Lillian instantly
sprang apart, but it was too late. The
tabIeau 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,s' asserted Lillian coolly,
"but since you are here may as well
tell YOU q bit Of news, grandfather.
You may announce tomorrow that the
long standing secret engagement be-
tween Phillip and myself is to culmi-
nate in an Immediate wedding. We
we're Just discussing the date. think
about the first of next month Will suit
us best, won't it, PHILIPPE" 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-
pearance of suavity, that the first was
m ideal date. Having announced their
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-
monstrance. Dr. Zelphan was openly
chuckling. Henry Breed was smiling
and rubbing his withered old palms to-
gether The shocked and Mortified Mrs.
Rensselaer, finally found her motive
power and, sailing into the room, took
Lllian'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.
'It is wonderful MATCH" said he
with sardonic glee, IAN ideal match"
Henry Breed delightedly patted KEEL
vim on the shoulder and called him
son, and it never seemed to cross his
Vnind that there had been anything In