The Ordway new era., 1912-08-30

one hand to Jocelyn in a languid
fashion.
"How do you do. Richard?" he said.
IT trust see you well?. Warm wealth
er we're having for this time Of year."
Eyes, father" said Jocelyn duti-
fully.
Then he looked at his father again.
There was a change in the old gentle
mans expression. He was smiling
now. 1t was wooden smile. as
though II had been hung there and did
not naturally belong to him. and he
was actually smirking. too. in Pc
culiar, half.timid. half-furtive manner.
"How do you like her?" he asked
sheepishly.
Like whom?" cried his son.
''Your stepmother. Richard" said
Viscount Jocelyn. Il married her this
morning when We stepped off the
ship"
The officer had gone. his passion
for Justice squared by some inscrut-
able means which this story does not
record. Viscount Jocelyn and his son
and ,ady Jocelyn were seated at the
table. enjoying n filet OF founder, mas
sauce tartare. the viscount slightly
nervous, Richard decidedly sheepish.
and the lady casting quite embarrass-
ing smiles at him.
you see, Richard" the viscount
volunteered, smacking his lips over a
glass of his sons Burgundy, you see,
my boy, didn't quite know how you
would take the news that I had mar
ried again, and so. though in a sense
1t was an object lesson to you for your
own dilatoriness in finding a bride, I
decided to send Lady Jocelyn ahead
to make peace between US. She knew
you from your photograph"
And Mr.. Jones received me exceed
ingly ILL.," said tho new viscountess.
pouting.
You knew me all the timer" asked
Richard. struggling with his vexation.
THE minute you set your foot in
side the apartment" the viscountess
answered. But. of course, when you
denied yourself it wasn't for me to
contradict you. Besides, was little
afraid of my new stepson."
But why did you deceive me?"
MY dear boy, 1 didn't deceive you.
you deceived yourself. l told you I
was Lady Jocelyn-and am I not?"
But you wept, or pretended to
weep" said Richard hotly. And was
naturally very much perturbed."
You tell him." whispered the vis-
countess to her husband.
After dinner" said viscount Joce-
lyn, in some confusion.
And now," said the viscountess, II
know that you two will have much to
talk about, and SO shall leave you to-
gether for half an hour-no more.
Don't be longer, because we must all
have a little talk together afterward
before we start for our hotel"
She went toward the sitting room;
then beckoned to Richard mysterious
,y from behind the door. He went up
to her.
You'd better say nothing about
about anything that's on your con-
SCIENCE" she said mischievously. And
l shan't either. 1t might distress your
father, Richard. He's jealous--I think
l told you. But l know now that we
shall get along very well indeed"
She left him and Richard turned
back to where his father sat, drink
ing his Burgundy.
Richard, my dear boy" said the
viscount, II hope you won't be disap-
pointed when tell you something. I
met your stepmother on the boat and
we fell in love. But-well, you remem.
ber what I wrote in my letter about
not marrying an American unless she
had a fortune?"
Richard nodded.
1.-The fact is," said his father, She's
an American. And-and-" he gulped
well, she hasn't penny, Richard
"Then we're all in the same boat, )"
said his son gaily.
I'm glad you take it SO we'll, Rich
ard" said his father. Because the
fact is'-gulp, gulp-"Richard, she's
an actress"
"Yes, my boy" he continued. as