The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-01-24

Crlchton glanced up at the DIE
black clock with the gold hands.
1t was already a quarter past
three o'clock, so he hurried over
to the telephone booths to call
up Curtis Before his friend should
have left the little glass office
down in Wall street.
A quarter past three is usually
a very busy moment In brokers'
office, and Crichton was reminded
of the fact by the snarl from the
office boy who answered his call.
Even Brooke Curtis himself spoke
somewhat peremptorily until he
quite understood who was at the
other end of the wide. Then there
came: well, we'll, well-that' 8
fine. Arrived in Boston this
morning, Ell? You say you're at
the Grand Central. Well, check
your stuff right out to the place
and take the three-forty train.
Try to make yourself = comfort
able, and I'll be out on the four
forty-five in time for a game of
squash"
An hour later Crichton was
lounging in a deep leather chair
in Curtis billiard-room. The
whole place was filled with a gold
en- haze, and through this and the
gray smoke Crichton looked out
of the broad window on the
stretch of deep green sward run
ming down to the water and then
beyond to the great heights of
the Palisades.
When through half-closed eyes
he first saw the tall figure with
the flimsy white waist and the
long, close-fitting duck skirt, 1T
seemed as If some fairy princess
had risen from the lawn and was
coming to awaken him from Ills
dream. And then, as he instinetr
lively pulled himself out of the
low chaiar, he became quite con-
scious that this was no fancy ct
all, but a very good-looking girl
who was breaking in where she
had no right to break in. She
certainly was very good to look
upon, at least so Crichton
thought, as, unconscious of bis
presence, she came through the
high French window, the sunlight
falling on mass of golden brown
hair and lighting up the clear
skin, flushed crimson after long
walk over country roads. It was,
however, with a certain amount
of unpreparedness, both as to his
mental and physical attitude, that
Crichton rose to receive his lady
visitor.
At the sight of him the girl
uttered a low cry of surprise and
stepped back toward the window.
cts all right. I assure you,
it's all right" urged Crichton.
Gust let me get into my coat and
I'll introduce myself"
cts all right II you don't get
into your coat" said the girl. Its
rather becoming. Ned told me
must never come in here, but
was quite sure no one was at
home"
med told your" asked erich
ton.
Eyes. I'm Miss Ferguson; Ned
and l are stopping over at the
Ellisons'."
Delighted" and Crichton
bowed. "I'm Jim Crichton-you
may have heard-Brooke and
-"
"I'm afraid not" interrupted
the girl, and she held. out her
hand as II Crichton had been her
Oldest man friend. you see I've
only joined the family very re-
Gently, and I really don't know
anyone in New York. I'm from
the Golden West"
Really" said Crichton, land
did understand you to say that
you had Joined the family?"
"Oh, you don't know, them"
And the suggestion of a blush
heightened the girls color.
"Pm afraiad not" he answered.
81, too. have been away for some
time"
well, you see," said the girl,
'I'm engaged to Ned. Yes, am,
regularly engaged. Announced
and everything. Would you like
to see my ring?" s..
The girl laid her hand in his,
and Crichton examined with much
solicitude splendid cabochon
ruby. 4
do you like it," she asked.
Perfect" he said, and reales-
ed her hand. ~
Half an hour later Ned Curtis
found his fiancee still at the piano
and Crichton deep in an armchair
slipping his Scotch and looking
straight ahead at the girls brown
hair, with the soft rays of the
dying sun streaked with gold.
The two men shook hands warm
ly.
And then Brooke Curtis, the
master OF the house, came hurry
ing in with very boisterous well
come. and the song and even Miss
Ferguson and her fiance were for
gotten in the greeting of the two
old friends.
Come on" said Curtis; well
take a walk around the grounds
want to hear all about yourself
and these two young lover would
be In the way"
Goodbye, Mr.. Crichton. = said
Miss Ferguson: I'VE won't be
here when you return.