Tensas gazette., 1914-07-10

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. q cruel but effective plan that
made her despise herself and yet con-
tanned the only means of escape from
an even more cruel situation.
He drove with her from the station
to the small hotel on Trafalgar square.
There were no rooms to be had. 1t
was the week of Ascot and the city
was still crowded with people who
awaited only the royal sign to break
the fetters that bound them to LON
don. Somewhat perturbed, she al
lowed him to escort her to several ho-
tels Of b 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:
Il think. Brandon. II you were to
allow me to apply alone to one Of
these places I could get in without
much trouble"
Good Lord!" he gasped. going very
red with dismay. What . fool +"
'I'll try the Savoy" she said quick
ly. and then laughed at him. His face
was the picture of distress.
II 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 . very
strange thing. He hailed another taxi
and. climbing in. started on in the
wake Of the two women. From .
point Of vantage near the corridor
leading to the American bar" he saw
Hetty sign her slips and move on
toward the left. Whereupon. seeing
that she was quite out Of the way, he
approached the managers ONCE and
asked for accommodation.
Nothing left. sir"
mot q thingT
Everything has been taken for
weeks. sir. I'm sorry.
Sorry. too. l had hoped you might
have something left for . friend who
expects to stop here 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 q few hours. although they
are reserved for parties coming down
from Liverpool tonight"
Booth tried the Cecil and got most
undesirable room. Calling mp 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 nnds
q permanent place to lodge" he in
quired. Can be Of any servicef''
Il think not sir. She left no word.
sir"
He hung up the receiver and
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 lobby.
closely engaged In conversation with
the clerk. Presently the latter took
up the telephone. and after . brief con-
versation with some one at the other
end. turned to Hetty and nodded his
head. Whereupon she nodded her own
adorable head and began the search
for her purse. Booth edged around
to an obscure spot and saw her pay
for and receive something In retusa.
by Jove!" he said to himself,
amazed.
She passed near him. without seeing
him. and went out into the court. He
watched her turn into the Strand.
CTO BE CONTINUED)