The San Francisco call., 1913-09-19

NAio NOAhdAl, wiz lu6QC q luOCh VI
his every thrust. But he was by no
means 1t the end of his resources.
Nevertheless" he rejoined you
know perfectly we'll that General
Hastings never promised to marry
this girl. You know He broke
eff as Aggie entered the drawing
room
Now. the girl was demure in SEEM
Ing almost beyond belief, a childish
creature, very fair and dainty, guile
less surely, with those untroubled
eyes OF blue, those softly curving
lips of warmest red and the more
delicate bloom in the rounded cheeks
There were the charms of innocence
and simplicity in the manner of her
as she stopped just within the door,
way. whence she regarded Mary with
a timid. pleading gaze. her slender
little form poised lightly as if for
flight
Did you want me. dear?" she
asked There was something half
plaintive in the modulated cadences
of the query.
Agnes Mary answered affection
ately, this is Mr. Irwin, who has
come to see you in behalf of Gem
eral Hastings
oh. the girl murmured, her voice
quiVering little, as the lawyer, after
snort nod, dropped again into his
scat; oh. I'm so frightenedw She
hurried futtering, to a low stool be-
hind the desk, beside Mary's chair.
and there she sank down, dropping
signify, and catching hold of one
ol Mary's hands as If in mute plead
ing for protection against the fear
that beset her chaste soul.
Nonsense" Mary exclaimed. sooth-
lngiy. There's really nothing at all
20 be frightened about. nv dear
child. Her ynica woe +ha. -
Wnicn one seeks to cajole a terri
fled infant You mustn't he afraid
agnes Mr. Irwin says that General
hastings die not promise to marry
YOU. or course, you understand. nv
uear, that under no circumstances
must you say anything that isn't
strictly true, and that If he did not
promise to marry you you have no
case-none at all. Now. Agnes, tell
me, did General Hastings promise to
marry your"
"oh, yes-oh, yes, indeedr Agnes
cried falteringly. "And / wish he
would. He's such a delightful old
gentlemanp' As she spoke the girl let
20 Marys hand and clasped her own
together ecstaticany.
me legal representative of the de-
gustedly at this outburst HIS voice
was portentous as he put a question
ing?" -
No" Aggie answered. gushingly.
But all his letters were in writing
You know. Such wonderful letters!a
She raised her blue eyes toward the
ceiling in a naive rapture. so ten
der and so--er--interestingl" Some
now the infection on the last word
did not altogether suggest the in
genuous.
Yes. yes: I dare say" Irwin agreed
hastily, with some evidences Of cha
grin. He had no intention Of dwelling
on that feature of the letters. con-
corning which he had no doubt what
ever, since he knew the amorous gen
eral very well indeed. They would be
interesting, beyond shadow OF ques-
tioning, horribly interesting. Such
was the confessed opinion Of the
swain himself who had written them
In his folly--horribly interesting TO
all the reading public of the country.
since the general was a conspicuous
figure
Mary intervened with a suavity that
infnriated the lawyer almost beyond
endurance.
But you're quite sure. Agnes" she
questioned gently, that General Hast
ings did promise to marry your" The
cafdor OF her manner was perfect.
Ana the answer of Aggie was given
with like convincing emphasis.
"Oh, yesr' she declared tense1v.
why, would swear to it." The 1impid
eyes, so appealing In their soft lus-
ters, went first to Mary, then gazed
trustingly into those of the routed
attorney.
You see, Mr.. Irwin. she would
swear to that" emphasized Mary.
We're beaten" he confessed defect
edly, turning his glance toward Mary,
whom, plainly, he regarded as his real
adversary in the combat on his cli-
ent's behalf I'm going to be quite
frank with you, Miss Turner, quite
frank" he stated with more geniality,
though with a very crestfallen air
Somehow indeed, there was Just a
shade too much of the crestfallen in
the fashion of his utterance, and the
woman whom he addressed watched
warily as he continued. I'VE can't at
ford any scandal so We're going to
settle at your own terms" He paused
expectantly, but Mary offered no COM
ment; only maintained her alert scru-
tiny of the man. The lawyer there-
fore, leaned forward with a semblance
OF frank eagerness. Instantly Aggie
had become agog with greedily bliss
full anticipations, and she uttered
slight ejaculation of joy, but Irwin
paid no heed to her. He was occupied
in taking from his pocket a thick bill
case, and from this presently a sheaf
of banknotes, which he laid on the
desk before Mary, with a little laugh
OF discontinue over having been beat
en- in the contest.
And as he did so, Aggie thrust forth
an avaricious hand, but 1t was caught
and held by Mary before it reached
above the top of the desk, and the
avaricious gesture passed unobserved
by the attorney.
I'VE can't fight where ladies are con-
cerned." he went on, assuming. as best
he might contrive. a chivalrous tone
80. If you Will Just hand over Gen.
eral Hastings letters, why. here's your
money"
Much to the speakers surprise,
there followed an interval of silence.
and his puzzlement showed in the
knitting of his brows, You have the
letters. haven't your he demanded.
abruptly.
Aggie ooyly took thick bundle
from its resting place on her rounded
bosom.
"They never leave me-" she mur-
INJURED. with dulcet passion. There