The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-07-30

with deep perplexity in his eyes, stud
led her half-averted face. The old
uneasiness returned. Was this OBJ
stacle, after all. SO great that it could
not be overcome?
They lunched together, but were
singularly reserved all through the
meal A plan was growing in her
brain. cruel but effective plan that
made her despise herself and yet en-
tanned the only means of escape fHm
an even more cruel situation.
He drove with her from the station
| to the small hotel off Trafalgar squu.e.
There were no rooms to be had. It
| was the week Of Ascot and the aty
was still crowded with people who
awaited only the royal sign to break
the letters that bound them to Lam
don. Somewhat perturbed, she Al
lowed him to escort her to several 10
tells of like character. Failing In
each case, she was in despair. 1t
last she plucked uD the courage 70
say to him, not withGsat <onstraint n aal
embarrassment:
Il think, Brandon, If SOU were to
allow me to apply alone to ont OF
these places 1 could ge. in wita.. ut
much trouble"
Good Lord" he gasped, going WY
red with dismay. What fool -
III try the Savoy" she said quatk-
ly, and then laughed at him. His 2,.e
was the picture of distress.
Il shall come for you tonight at
eight" he said, stopping the tax. 1t
once. "Goodby till them
He got out and gave directionr to
the chauffeur. Then he did a wary
strange thing. He hailed another u XII
! and, climbing in, started off in the
wake of the two women. Fropa a
point of vantage near the corri6 or
leading to the American bar" he s,aw
Hetty sign her slips and move ,,f1
toward the left Whereupon, seeing
that she was quite out of the way, he
approached the managers Office FAC
, asked for accommodations.
Nothing left SIR
3 mot thing?"
: Everything has been taken fol
v weeks, sir. I'm sorry
, Sorry, too. l had hoped you mig h
Y have something left for a friend wht
t expects to stop here-a Miss Castle
s ton"
t Miss Castleton has just applt I'd
f We could not give her anything
8 "Eh?"
t Fortunately we could let her h~ y
e rooms until eight this evening. W.
k we're more than pleased to offer the u
: to her for a few hours, although tn e.
a are reserved for parties coming doSEl
g from Liverpool tonight
a Booth tried the Cecil and got nj. s
u undesirable room. Calling up Ia
9 Savoy on the telephone, he got he
t, room. The maid answered. She Ia
o formed him that Miss Castleton ha
just that instant gone out and woul
!, not return before seven O'Clock.
Il suppose she will not remove he
trunks from the station until she find
e permanent place to LODGE" he III
quired. Can be Of any service?"
" Il think not, sir. She left no wot
sir"
He hung up the receiver an
straightway dashed over to the Savo,
u hoping to catch her before she left tn
hotel. Just inside the door he cam
u to an abrupt stop. She was at tn
II news and ticket booth in the lobb,
closely engaged in conversation wit
re the clerk. Presently the latter too
up the telephone, and after brief col
q. versation with some one at the othe
II end, turned to Hetty and nodded hi
head. Whereupon she nodded her ow
:" adorable head and began the scare
u for her purse. Booth edged aroun
'e to an obscure spot and saw her pa
for and receive something in return
Re "By Jove!" he said to himsel
Is amazed.
She passed near him, without seem
"a him, and went out into the court. H
az watched her turn into the Strand.
8, CTO BE CONTINUED)
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