The Ordway new era., 1912-12-06


It can." he answered with tinality. do
you think Id give you up?"
But this was too much to ask. In
the presence OF a ruined career and a
heroless army. Marjorie felt that her
own scruples were too petty to count.
She could be heroic. too.
"No!" she said. in deep. low tone.
mo. we'll get married in the smoking
room. Go call your drummer!"
This opened the clouds and let In
the sun again with such a radiant
blaze that Mallory hesitated no longer.
Fine" he cried. and leaped to his
feet. only to be detained again By
Marjorie's clutch:
but first. what about that brace
let?"
"She's got It," Mallory groaned.
slumping from the heights again.
wearing it?"
How was to get it?'
Couldn't you have slipped into her
car last night and stolen IT."
Good Lord. l shouldn't think you'd
want me to go-why. Marjorie-i'd be
arrested"
But Marjorie set her jaw hard:
well, you get that bracelet. or you
don't get me-" And then her smouI-
dering jealousy and grief took less
hateful tone: "Oh. Harry" she
walled. I'm SO lonely and SO helpless
and SO far from home"
But I'm here" he urged.
You're farther away than any
body" she whimpered. budding close
to him.
Poor little thing" he mur:nured.
soothing her with voice and kiss and
caress.
Put your arm round me-" she
cooed. like a mourning dove. Il don't
care II everybody is looking. on. I'm
SO lonely"
I'm Just as lonely rs you are" he
pleaded. trying to creep into the COM
pany OF her misery.
please marry me soon." she i'm
plored. won't you. piease?"
I'D marry you this minute II you'd
say the word" he whispered.
I'D say 1t II you only had that
bracelet" she sobbed. like a hrec
child. II should think You would un.
derstand my feelings. That awful per-
son is wearing your bracelet and
have only your ring. and her bracelet
is ten times as big as my ring. boo
hoo-hoo-oo!"
I'll get that bracelet II have to
chop her arm on" Mallory vowed.
The sobs stopped short. rs Mar
jorie looked up to ask: Have you got
your sword with you?"
Its in my trunk" he said. but Ill
manage"
Now you're speaking like SOL
dicr." Marjorie exclaimed. my brave.
noble, beautiful. fearless husband. Ill
tell you! That creature will pass
through this car-on her way to break
fast. You grab her and take the
bracelet away from her."
II grab her, eh?" he stammered.
his heroism wavering trifie.
Yes. just grab her: %. -. .....i
"Suppose she hasn't the bracelet
on?" he unused.
Grab her anyway" Marjorie an.
swered, fiercely. "Besides. I've no
doubt it's wished on" He said moth
ing. You did wish 1t on. didn't your
NO. no-Hever-of course not"
he protested. "If you'll only be calm
I'll get it II l have to throttle her."
Like young Lady Macbeth. Mar
jorie gave him her utter approval In
any atrocity. and they sat in ambush
for their victim to pass into view.
They had not had their breakfast.
but they forgot 1t. A dusky waiter
went by chanting his Lass call for
breakfuss in Rining Rar." He chant
ed it thrice in their ears. but they
never heard. Marjorie was gloating
over the discontinue Of the odious
creature who had dared to precede
her in the acquaintance OF her hus-
band-to-be. The husband-to-be was
miserabiy wishing that he had to face
a tribe OF bolo-brandishing Moros. In
stead of this trivial girl whom he had
looked upon when her cheeks were
red.