The Red Cloud chief., 1913-11-20
o0oooOoooS SoOoOOoo
He SAVED THE DAY
By BURTON cLoSsEN.

her hand, just next to the drop lamp.
Quentin had not remembered ii. He
had slammed the door and the key
had turned with the click.
You will stay there until you come
To your Senses" he had told her. Dad
and mother will be home on the ll:15.
and they can handle you after that. but
by George. Ill keep you here until
they come
II was about half past ten, she
thought. Three quarters Of an hour to
save the happiness Of a lifetime. Once
her father and mother came. II would
be the same old heartache over again.
the same old arguments and objections
that had been advanced for nearly a
year.
And there was no reason under the
sunswhy they should object to Stanley
Fitch. He was young. twenty.four. Just
out Of college. with excellent pros
poets. Perhaps that was why. Her
father had fought his own way up
from boyhood In the same firm. He
desptsed a college training as busi.
ness asset. Quentin. her only brother
was like his father. and had slipped
through schools doggedly. and into the
nearest chair to his father down at
the once at eighteen.
But Rene was like her mother. She
often wondered how her father had
ever persuaded Georgette Loiret to
marry him and leave Paris for New
York. She loved to listen to her
mothers stories of her home life there.
Of how her father had admired the
pushing young Americans business
pluck and success. and had deemed the
union wise one for her.
But did you really love father?'
Rene had urged. Don't you believe in
love. mother. not at all?"
| It had been the night before their
departure on a weekend visit out Of
town. Rene and her brother were to
remain at the house with the servants.
Mrs. Howard had listened with q Gu.
rious little smile. one hand on Rene's
tumbled mass of fair curls. - she
bent over her.
They say It comes Of its own &C
cord after wise marriage. dear heart.
Is that not better than having It leave
Of its own accord after an unwise
one?"
But why can't I marry Stanley"
your father thinks he IL not form.
ed in character yet, that he is too boy
ish. too unsteady to trust our own
daughters happiness in his keeping y
"Oh. dear me-" Rene exclaimed
helplessly. Must I wait years and
years until father thinks he 10 staid
and stout like he is?"
wait a year." said her mother
,oaxingly. AT least a year"
And che had waited. Stanley had
zone abroad for the whole summer
She had not even tried to see him
since his return. It seemed as though
all the fair winds Of fate had united
to blow them together again. He had
not been in New York a day before
she met him face to face on a Fifth
avenue autobus. They had left It al
the park, and tramped all that Ions
splendid autumn afternoon together
over paths that seem sacred to sweet
hearts. Stanley had mapped out theiI
future. II was a brave one. full ol
hope and promise. As foreign repre-
sentative Of an old established bank
ing firm. he had made good. The,
would send him back in December e
take full charge Of their interests II
italy. And there was a certain Wills
on the outskirts of Rome. with tht
glimmer Of the sea to the south. and
north the vineyards and gardens lead
Ing up to the olive groves.
Rene could see that villa now, q,
she sat in the study a prisoner. ant
the picture gave her strength. Sh,
reached for the receiver and gave hi,
number softly but distinctly. Quentil
would never hear through the thicl
fireproof walls.
The answer set her heart beatinJ
fast. Was Mr.. Fitch in? He was not
He was at his club. She set her teeth
and called the club. II seemed hour,
before they called him to the tele
phone. and she heard his voice.
"Stant. listen. dear" she almos
whispered. Quentin has locked m,
in the study. can you hear me? Ant
father and mother will be back on tn,
11:15. II will take them about twent.
minutes to make the run up here II
the car. packed what needed afte
a quarrel with Quent. and was runninl
away. No. not to you. of course. 20,
foolish boy. was going to Aunt lie
nore's out at Montclair--what? But
can't get out. I'm locked in. ant
Quentin is on guard"
It'll be there in q few minutes,
said Stanley. a bit hoarsely. and Gu
her on.
She stood up. waiting. holding he
breath at what she had done. but tn,
hands on the clock were creeping fast
II was twelve minutes of eleven, an,
she knew the club was far down tow,
in the West Forties. II would TAX
Stanley nearly a. long as It would he