The Ely miner., 1912-07-26
CHAPTER xvI.-continued.

why, Sne 8 all run down, urea out,
she's got no real friends in London" :"
The other man f1icked the ash from
his cigarette and looked at Blair's boy
through his monocle.
And you thought that Lily might
befriend her, old chap?"
yes" nodded Dan, lust give her a
lift, you know
Galorey nodded back. smiling gent
~. Il see. see moral. spiritual
lift? l see-I see" He glanced at
Che woman with his strange smile.
She put her cigarette down and
seated herself, clasping her hands
around her knees and looked at her
fiance.
TITS none of my business what Let
ty Lanes reputation is. l don't care,
but you must understand one thing,
Dan, I'm not a reforner, or charit-
able institution, and if she comes here
1T is purely professional"
He took the subject as settled, and
asked for a copy of the program and
put it in his pocket. 'I'll get the
names of her songs from her and take
I'd better hustle, | guess; there's no
time to lose between now and Sun
day" And he went out triumphant.
Galorey remained. smoking, and the
duchess continued her notes in sill
ence. cooling down at her desk. Her
companion knew her too well to speak
to her until she had herself in hand.
and when finally she took up her pen
and turned about, she appeared con-
scious for the first of his presence.
Here still" she exclaimed.
II thought might do for safety
valve, Lily. You could let some of
your anger out on me-"
The duchess left her desk and GAme
over to him.
II expect you despise me thorough
ly, don't you, Gordon?"
They had not been alone together
since her engagement to Blair. for she
had taken pains to avoid every oppor-
tunity for tete-a-tete.
"Despise your" he repeated gently.
ITS awfully hard, isn't it. for chap
like me to despise anybody? We're
none of us used to the best quality of
behavior, you know. my dear girl"
Don't talk rot. Gordon" she muir
INJURED.
"You didn't ask my advice" he con-
tinued, "but don't hesitate to tell you
that have done everything could to
save the boy"
She accepted this philosophically.
"Oh, knew you would; l quite ex-
pected 1t, but" and in the look she
threw at him there was more liking
than resentment-'T knew you. too;
you couldn't go very far. my dear fel-
low"
II think Dan Blair is excellent
stuff" Gordon said.
HE is the greenest. youngest. most
ridiculous infant" she exclaimed with
irritation. and laughed.
His money is old enough to walk.
however, isn't it. Lily?" She made an
angry gesture.
81 expected you'd say something
loathsome."
Her companion met her eyes direct
~. She left her chair and came and
sat down beside him on the small
sofa. AS he did not move. or look at
her, but regarded his cigarette with
interest, she leaned close to him and
whispered: Gordon, try to be nice
and decent. Try to forget yourself.
Don't you see what wonderful
chance 1t is for me. and that. as far as
you and / are concerned. 1t can't go
on?"
The face of the man by her side
grew somber. The charm this woman
had for him had never lessened since
the day when he told her he loved
her. long before his marriage. and
they were both too poor.
I'VE have always been too poor, and
Edith is jealous of me every day and
hour OF her life. Can't you be gener-
ous?"
He rose and stood over her. looking
down at her beautiful form and her
somewhat softened face. but his eyes
were hard and his face very pale.
You had better go. Gordon" she
said slowly; you had better go. :"
Then, as he obeyed her and went
like fash as far as the door, she fol-
lowed him and whispered softly: IF
you're really only jealous. can for.
give YOU"
He managed to get out: His faith
er was my friend; he sent the boy to
me and I've been bad guardian" He
made a gesture of despair. Put your
self In my place. Let Dan Blair 80.
Lily; let him co."
Her eyelids fiickered little. and
abe said sharply: You're out a -FOUR