Evening star., 1912-11-16
CHAPTER XXIV.-Continued

Hester laughed, half coquettishly.
don't bet my Kisses"
MOP" He leaned forward eagerly and
caught one OF her hands What do you
do with them?"
ing glance.
warm hand-then pushed it from him
roughly.
Wen see about that later on. Now ii $
business. Come, kid He pointed to the
car.
You're not going to-
Were going to the country club
Quick"
Suppose some one sees u.s.?
There's nobody here that counts. ex-
cept Mr.. Robert. Wen take chance on
him. If he says anything you tell MIN
Mrs. Baxter left orders for you to bring
club. Got me?'
Good work. she nodded.
Didn't think of that. did you. grille"
He opened the polished door. I'm you go
-behind!'
Without further protest Hester seated
herself on the comfortable leather cllsh-
ions, and moment later they were
speeding down the drive.
"Oh! Stop at the lodge she remem-
bered. Il want to get my cloak.
Anton halted the car at the big gate
and amused himself for few moments
making faces at An Petronia, who was
playing in the roadway. Then he asked
her preposterous questions about her dol
lies. Could they swim? Did she let them
go to moving picture shows? Were they
allowed to smoke Turkish cigarettes?
One OF the chauffeur's favorite diversions
was teasing An Petronia.
Say, you took your time!" he remark
ed presently. when Hester reappeared ar
rayed in her familiar scarlet garment.
go on! I'll tell you why she said. In
low tone. Then. when they were on the
main road, Il thought I'd make sure
there aren't any more letters lying around
in my room that might make trouble
He nodded his approval Of this precau.
ton. And now they were silent for two
or three minutes. while the machine flew
over a smooth mile leading to the coun-
try club.
do you know how you're going to work
this, boy?" she questioned, anxiously, as
they swung into the beautifully kept
grounds of the Ippingford golf course.
Sure! Mrs. Baxter has sent her maid,
that's you. to get her golf bag. She wants
the bag down at Bournemouth. And the
bags in Mrs. Baxters locker
How about the key?'
Mrs. Baxter has mislaid her key. The
woman in charge Of the locker room will
open the locker for you. See?"
II see," answered Hester, and as the
car drew up under the white-columned
porch OF the clubhouse she hoped out
nimbly. Il won't be a minute" Then
she started eagerly for the door.
''Wait.' called Anton, with a flash OF
distrust. Come back! I'll get the bag
myself" And, passing her. he disappeared
within the house just as party OF
smartly dressed ladies came out and stood
chatting and laughing on the broad
piazza.
Hester climbed back into the auto and
waited. biting her lips. And presently
q Manufactured woman appeared. follow
ed by the chauffeur carrying golf bag.
One glance showed the girl that it was
the golf bag-there was no doubt about
1t.
Are you Mrs. Baxters maid?" demand
ed the woman, in shrill voice, while the
ladies stared.
Yes
"Your chauffeur says Mrs. Baxter told
him to get this bag?''
That's right" smiled Hester, pleas
antly.
The locker woman still seemed dissatis-
fed. Its queer she grumbled. Mrs.
Baxter told me to be careful Of this bag
because she had borrowed it,
Exactly smiled Hester. "and now
Mrs. Baxter wants to return it. In here,
please. Thank YOU" She placed the bag
woman a two-shilling piece. Then to An
ton, with a grand air. Home. please.
Mrs. Baxter is waiting
Anton touched his cap respectfully, but
did not move.
"I'll have to ask you to sit on the front
seat, miss: one of the back springs is
broken. Let me take this for you" And
he placed the golf bag close to the steer
ing wheel With a movement of annoy
ance Hester followed the bag and seated
herself next to the driver. Thus, side by
side and mutually distrustful. they shot
out of the grounds with Betty Thomp-
sons much-coveted golf bag between
them
We've turned the trick-we've got the
goods Anton whispered. eXultingly.
down among the golf clubs. Can you
see it. KIDD
Lean the bag toward me- That's
right She pushed open the clubs and
gave cry of satisfaction. "Ah! There!
Way down at the bottom! Don't YOU
see?"
The chauffeur looked again. and this
time made out distinctly the fat, brown
wallet. clasped by it's elastic band. that
was still lying safe in its singular hiding
place.
Holy spoons." he muttered We've
got it! You see what little nerve will
do
Didn't I help you out with the cranky
dame?"
You sure did You were great. grille"
He gripped the wheel tighter as they
passed an automobile. Wed better turn
off through the woods. Too many people
here-and-we've got to talk things over.
Talk what oyer?" she asked, inno-
Gently.
He looked at her and was silent his
eyes drinking in the loveliness of her face
and figure.
Say, you certainly are a little beauty,
You've got the reddest lips and the sweet
est shape!' He slipped his left arm
around the girls 1.-THE waist and drew her
toward him. They We're running slowly
along a woodland road, through a grove
of trees.
Hester only resisted slightly. but there
was tremor OF unhappiness in her voice
as she SAID: You must think a lot of
me when you wouldn't even trust me to
go into the clubhouse for the golf bag"
''Ah! You noticed that he smiled
complacently.
did II" She nestled closer And YOU
wouldn't let me have the bag on xhe back
seat
Would you have left me alone with
ho a hot