Evening star., 1914-04-05
Continued from page g

He held out his hand She put hers in it.
"It's too bad, Allan, she said. "But-
it wasn't to be. And, even now, you have
one consolation money that Lloyd's
must pay you"
The money means nothing, Cynthia
Miss Meyrick is Mistaken Minot in
terrupted. Lord Harrowby has not even
that consolation. Lloyd's owes him moth
ing
"Why not?' asked the girl defiantly.
"Up to an hour ago." said Minot, "you
we're determined to marry his Lordship?'
a should hardly put it that way. But
l intended to-
"Yes. Then you changed your mind.
Whv?"
a changed it because found out about
this ridiculous, this insulting, policy"
"Then his Lordships taking out of the
policy caused the calling off of the wedding2'
"Y-yes Whyo'
at may interest YOU to know-and it may
interest Lord Harrowby to recall-that five
minutes before he took out this policy he
signed an agreement to do everything in his
power to bring about the wedding. And he
further promised that if the wedding should
be called off because of any subsequent act
of his he would forfeit the premium"
"By Gad!" said Lord Harrowby.
"The taking out of the policy was sub
sequent act, continued Minot. "The pre-
MUM, fancy, is forfeited
Hes got you, Allan, said George Har-
rowby, coming forward, @and I for one can't
say I'm sorry. You're going to tear up that
policy now-and go to work for me.
Il for one am sorry cried Miss Meyrick,
her flashing eyes on Minot. Il wanted you
to win, Allan! I wanted you to VIM
"Why?T Minot asked innocently.
@You ought to know she answered, and
turned away.
Lord Harrowby moved toward the door.
"We're not hard losers he said blankly.
@But-everything' gone-it's a bit of
snash-up. Goodby, Cynthia.
1Goodby, Allan-and good luck
Thanks And Harrowby went out with
his brother
MINoT stood for time, not daring to
window. Her scornful back was not en-
couraging. Finally she turned, saw Minot,
gave a start of surprise.
"Oh-you' re still here?'
"Cynthia, now you understand he said.
"You know why acted as did. You real
ize my position. l was in horrible fix"
She looked at him coldly. EYES," she
said, II do understand. You were gambling
on me. You came down here to defend your
employer S cash. We'll, you nave succeeded.
Is there anything more to be said?"
isn't there2 On the ramparts of the old
fort the other night
"Pease do not make yourself any more
ridiculous than is necessary. You have put
your employers money above my happi-
ness-always! Really, you looked rather
cheap today, with your sanctimonious ad-
vice that 1 marry Harrowby. Aren't you
beginning to realize your own position-the
silly, childish figure you cute'
3Then you-'
"Last night when you came staggering
across the lawn to me with this foolish gown
in your arms-I told you hated you. Do
you imagine hate you any less now9 Well,
I don't" Her voice became fearful. II
hate you! l hate you!'
"But some day"
She turned away from him; for she was
sobbing outright now. II never want to see
you again as long as l 1ive!" she cried.
"Never! Never! Never'
Limp, pitiable, worn by the long fight he
had waged, Minot stood staring helplessly
at her heaving shoulders. "Then-I can
only say I'm sorry" he murmured. "And
-goodby!'
He waited. She did not turn toward him.
He stumbled out of the room.
CHAPTER XXI. We'll, Hardly Ever