The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-04-25

Copyright, by ". G.. Chapman.)

Talbot came forward to open it.
II Jocelyn looked surprised the ex-
preston on the face o. his honest
servitor expressed his own emotion
to the nth power.
Who is she. Talbot" he whispered.
she says she's Lady Jocelyn, sir"
answered his man..
Then l must have got married in
my sleep, Talbot"
Which you 'aven't, sir, I'll wager.
She come in as cool as brass. sir, and
said she was Lady Jocelyn and 'ow
you'd, be following 'er in a few min
utes. Heither she's a himposter. sir, or
she's what they calls"
Il know-mentally deranged. Now
listen, Talbot. Well take stock of
her. You've never seen me before.
My name is Jones and I'm a friend of
Lord Observation-Disclosures"
eyes, sir, by hall means, sir" )
"Then let me in" said Jocelyn. And,
in a louder voice, he added:
my name is Jones. Lord Jocelyn
specially requested that If l came
while he vas out l was to wait for
him. It's about-er-the gas meter"
Eyes, Mr.. Jones; walk in, please,
sir" said Talbot. and ushered Lord
Jocelyn into the sitting room, where
he found his pseudo-wife inspecting
his book case. They bowed politely
to one another.
"Have l the pleasure of addressing
Lady Jocelyn?" asked Jocelyn.
II am Lady Jocelyn," the lady re-
turned. surveying him with a smile
in which something of amusement
lurked. "My husband is not here at
present, but I am expecting him
shortly, Mr.-er-?"
Jones'" answered Jocelyn prompt
ly. Pardon me for intruding on you,
butt is a little matter about the
gas meter"
IF it is a BILL" said the lady. per
haps I can settle it and save you the
trouble of waiting. We have only come
home to III apartment and it may
have been overlooked"
"No-ah-it's about a REFUND" said
Jocelyn, On the spur of the moment.
Lord Jocelyn paid us too much,
through an error in the accounts, and
I wish to return it to him."
"Give it to me-" replied the lady. II
act for Lord J~ocelyn."
Lord Jocelyn was nonplussed for a
moment, while the lady, smiling ma
liciously, surveyed him with a cool
stare.
with your permission I'll watt
said Jocelyn. II have to obtain his per-
sonal signature"
20, very we'll" said the lady. "Pray
be seated Mr.-the name was Jones,
was it not?-Please look through
these magazines; I am sure Lord
Jocelyn will offer no objection" And,
handing him some of the current
periodicals, she went through his
apartment to the kitchen, where, a
moment later, Jocelyn heard her or
dering Talbot to go to the fish market
and purchase a pair of soles.
What am Hi to do, sir?" asked
Talbot, coming in in agitation.
Lord Jocelyn's amusement was fast
changing to anger.
She's a thief" he said. Go to the
police station and bring a man round
here to arrest her. It's the most
brazen impudence I ever heard Of"
Eyes, sir, very good, SIR" answered
Talbot. and, putting on his hat, he left
the apartment just as the lady re-
turned.
"You r quite sure you don't want
to leave the money with me?" she
asked again. you see"
Eyes, MADAME" replied Jocelyn po-
litely, though he felt his anger rising
rapidly.
"The fact u.s." she confided, my
husband is Of a very Jealous DISPOSE
ton, and If he were to come in and
find me chatting with a stranger I
don't know what he would say to me.
MI. Jones, won't you oblige me and
come back some other time?"
Jocelyn, utterly at a loss. surveyed
this singular woman in establishment
not unmingled with admiration. A lit
tie past thirty, he would have judged
her; her maturity of figure only lent
additional charm to a face Of singular
beauty. Under other circumstances
his sentiments Of romance, always lat
ent, might have developed into a crisis
of IN amatory nature. But at being
ordered out Of his apartment his an
noyance gained the mastery " him.
Look here, young woman" he said,
you've made a mistake. l advise you
to get out Of here as soon as you pos
sibly can, for I have sent my man to
the police station"
"You-you-what do you mean"
she gasped.
II mean that I am Lord Jocelyn and
that you have overplayed your hand"
"You Lord Jocelyn?" she cried,
starting back and stretching out her
hands to feel for the support Of the
wall. "Then who is my husband? Tell
me that. Tell me that" she continued
in agitation, pacing up and down the
room rapidly. She came to a stop in
front Of him and grasped his arm
hercely, her lips quivering. who is
my husbands" she demanded.
Her obvious sincerity moved Joce-
Ign to pity.
"How long have you been married,
may l ask?" he said.
"0n1v aincn fhiu morn}np 0ur nonr<.