The Forrest City times., 1914-06-05

Atl compressing her lips. 'a'us
 He drowned.
 We cant possibly be of the s.u opinlon,' he said seriously. ''
 You wouldn't say that if you tno. everything" AneW
 How long do you intend to s,ou London?" '''y 'n
 'I don't know. When does this frat, arrive there?'' "'a
 At four o'clock, think. win vo, go to an hotel or to friends?o He nn. the question very delicatelv pu'
 She smiled faintly. You mean ,h. Murgatroyds? 'A'
 Your father is here, am informed And you must have other friends o. relatives who"
 T shall go to a small hotel I know near Trafalgar square" she interrun, ed quietly. You must not come tbere to see me, Brandon"
 T shall expect you to dine with ,,o at-say Princes this evening" wos his response to this.
 She shook her head and then turnoa to look out of the window He 60, back in his seat and for many mi)os with deep perplexity In his eyes. stnd. jed her half-averted face. The ola uneasiness returned Was this nh. stacle, after all, so great that 1t could not be overcome?
 They lunched together, but vera. singularly reserved all through the meal. A plan was growing in her brain, a cruel but effective plan that made her despise herself and yet con. tained the only means of escape from an even more cruel situation.
 He drove with her from the station to the small hotel off Trafalgar square There were no rooms to be had. It was the week of Ascot and the city was still crowded with people who awaited only the royal sign to break the letters that bound them to Lon don. Somewhat perturbed, she al. lowed him to escort her to several ho tels of like character Failing in each case, she was in despair At last she plucked up the courage to say to him, not without constraint and embarrassment:
 T think, Brandon, if you were to allow me to apply alone to one of these places I could get in without much trouble"
 Good Lord!" Re gasped, going very red with dismay. What a fool l."
 'I'll try the Savoy" she said quick ly. and then laughed at him His face was the picture of distress.
 T shall come for you tonight at eight" he said, stopping the taxi at once. "Goodby till then"
 He got out and gave directions to the chauffeur. Then he did a very strange thing. He hailed another taxi and, climbing in, started off in the wake of the two women. From a point of vantage near the corridor leading to the American bar" he saw Hetty sign her slips and move of toward the left Whereupon, seeing that she was quite out of the way, he approached the managers office and asked for accommodations.
 Nothing left. sir,
 Not a thing?"
 Everything has been taken for weeks, sir. I'm sorry"
 Sorry, too. I had hoped you might have something left for friend who expects to stop here-a Miss Castle ton"
 Miss Castleton has just applied. We could not give her anything"
 "Eh?"
 Fortunately we could let her have rooms until eight this evening we were more than pleased to offer them to her for a few hours, although they are reserved for parties coming down from Liverpool tonight"
 Booth tried the Cecil and got most undesirable room. Calling up the Savoy on the telephone. he got her room. The maid answered. She in- formed him that Miss Castleton had just that instant gone out and would not return before seven o'clock
 II suppose she will not remove her trunks from the station until she finds a permanent place to lodge" he in' Quired. Can l be of any serviceF
 'I think not, sir. She left no woro' sir"
 He hung up the receiver ana straightway dashed over to the savoy hoping to catch her before she left the hotel. Just inside the door he came to an abrupt stop. She was at the news and ticket booth in the loboy' closely engaged in conversation witn the clerk. Presently the latter LOOK up the telephone, and after brief con versation with some one at the other end. turned to Hetty and nodded ms head. Whereupon she nodded her own adorable head and began the searon for her purse. Booth edged arouhu to an obscure spot and saw her pay for and receive something in return
 By Jove!" he said to himseH amazed.
 She passed near him, without seelns him, and went out into the court. lie watched her turn into the Strand.
 CrO BE CONTINUED