Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-17

had thought 1T best since Larry departure from New
York to keep their engagement secret from her
parents. She had heard from him regularly, and dis
lance. seemed, had made difference in the nature
of her feelings for him. but she knew from her father
disappointment at Cortland Bent detection that the
time to take her parents into her confidence had not
yet arrived.
1t had occurred to Curtis Janney to think of Law
Bcrkelvs attentions seriously ut Gretchen knew
that her mother at least had breatled sigh OF reet
when Larry had left New York. Mrs. Janney had
questioned her daughter anxously but Gretchen had
answered in riddles and in the end had succeeded in
convincing her that marriage the last thing IN the
world she thinking of. Gretchen little afraid
of her father Once or twice he had expressed hms
rather freely to the kind of man he expected his
daughter marry from which it clear that his list
of cgibes did not include Lawrence Berkey She had
written all of this tearfully Larry that when she
reached Denver he decided that matters had reached
crisis that demanded some sort OF understanding with
Janney pore. The candesne meetings that rather ap-
pealed Gretchens of the romantic made Larry
unhappy. He had nothing to be ashamed Of and saw
reason why he had to court the woman ne loved
under of darkness. So he made up his mind to
settle the thing in his way.
In this crisis it had occurred to Gretchen to enlist
Mrs. Cheynes services in their behalf, for Rita had
always been favoritc of her fathers but an evening
or two after her arrival in Denver that woman had
mysteriousy disappeared from the hotel leaving word
only that she had gone visit friends in the neighbor
hood and would advise General Bent of her future plans
No but Larry, with whom she had been talking,
had for moment suspected that the friends in the
neighborhood only Jeff and, though she had not
bound Larry to secrecy both duty and discretion de-
ARRY'S position was difficult; but when he dis
IL covered that nothing to be gained by keeping
his movements hidden from Cornelius Bent he took the
bull by the horns and boldly sent up his card to CURTIS
Jannev's suite. He full of his affairs that
Ianneys possible misconccptlon OF the object OF his
visit had not occurred to him. He was welcomed cor
daily; ovially, in fact, that Tor moment he was
taken off his guard.
well, Berkely, by George! Glad to you Rather
a surprise to find all out here invading your own
country, cho'
Larry sat rather sobcrly, refused cigar and eI-
pressed well bred surprise a can't imagine anybody
wanting to leave Braebank in April he said .,
scientific ii farming this we had to come
out this smeltcr business the General and |. lie
stopped and pulled rapidly at his cigar Its too bad
mistake | like Wray Bersely. He's got stuff in him;
bat he overeaped himself this smelter business. It's
pity he thought he had to fight u.s. but you've got to
admit gave him every chance"
Il didn't to you about the smelter business,
Mr.. Janney," said Bcrkely rather quietly; but on
matter of my own personal, private, matter
Janneys face grew grave at this "A private matter,
eyes Sir" Larry closed his lips firmly for moment,
and then to the point without further words Mr.
Jannev | suppose should have spoken to you before
/ left New York our business relations seemed to
make it difficult. But the very fact that we can't be
friends in business makes it necessary for me- at least
to be honest with you IN this other matter
"What earth you driving at!
II want to marry your daughter Sir, that ALL SAID
Larry with the suddenness of desperation
Gretchen! My daughter!' Janney said explosively
He rose, with one hand the back of his chair, and
gared at Larry though he doubted his sanity You
want to marry Gretchen" Then he laughed-and
Larry discovered in that laugh wherein Janney and
General Bent had points of contact anney took three
long strides the window then wheeled suddenly You
must be crazy My daughter you!'
Larry had risen and met Janneys impertlnent scr1.
tiny with dignity. @Yes Sir. I'm not aware of
anything in my family, my connections, my prospects,
my character that be found Objectionable. Your
daughter cares for me"
"Why, you insolent young fortune hunter
you'll speak to me gentleman does to another,
or You'll not speak to me at ALL" He took up his hat