Putnam patriot., 1914-07-31

coming face to face with the bristling | little Mephistophelian figure. which he had endeavored to ignore.
 My dance. l believe" he added a trace more brusquely. over the little mans head
 I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me, Bayard she returned He heSitated. Do I understand you're ready for me to take you home2"
 You're to understand that I will neither dance nor sit ont the dance with yoH-and that I don't wish to be disturbed"
 cBless your heart" P Sybarite in teriected privatelyJ
 The voice of the younger Shaynon broke with passion. "This is-the limit" he cried violent. ly. i've reached the end of my endur- ance. Who's this creature you're with?"
 'Is your memory so short?' F. Syba- rite asked quietly. Have you forgot ten the microhe-the little guy who puts the point in disappointment?''
 I've forgotten nothing you-animal! Nor that you insulted my father pub licly a few minutes ago. Remove that mask and tell me your name. If you refuse I'll thrash you within an inch of your life-here and nowi''
 *0ne moment" r. Sybarite pleaded. with a graceful gesture. Before com hitting yourself to this mad enter prise. would you mind telling me ex- actly how you spell that word inch? With a capital 1T and a final 'e'-by any ehance?"
 With an inartieulate cry Shaynon's fist shot out as if to strike his persecu tor down. but in midair r. Sybarite's slim, strong fingers closed round and infexibly stayed his enemy's wrist.
 Behave" P. Sybarite counseled evenly. Remember where you are-in a lady's presence. As for my mask. if it still annoys you"- He jerked it off and away.
 Escaping the balustrade. it caught a wandering air and drifted indolently down through the darkness of the street.
 And if my face tells you nothing he added hotly, perhaps my name will help. It's Sybarite You may have heard it."
 As if from blow Shaynon's eyes winced. Then. quietly adjusting his crumpled cuff, he drew himself up.
 Marian" he said as soon as he had his voice under control. since you wish it I'll wait for you ill the lobby downstairs
 Shaynon turned and left them alone on the balcony.
 I'm sorry r. Sybarite told the girl in unfeigned contrition. Please for give me I've a vicious temper-the color of my hair-and l couldn't resist the temptation to make him squirm."
 If you only knew how l despised him." she said you wouldn't think it necessary to excuse yourself, though don't know yet what it's all about"
 Simply I happen to have the whip hand of the Shaynon conscience" re- turned P. Sybarite. "I happen to know that Bayard is secretly the husband of a woman notorious in New York under the name of Mrs. Jefferson Incbe."
 "Is that true? Dare l believe"-
 Limitations of fears inexpressibly aleviated breathed in her tone.
 T havathe word of the lady herself, together with the evidence of his con fusion just now. What more do you needI"
 If that Is true how can it be that he has been begging me this very night to marry him within monthf'
 He may have entertained hopes of gaining his end-his freedom-in an- other way. Furthermore. he probably thinks himself forced to seem insistent by the part he's playing His father doesn't know of this entanglement; he'd disinherit Bayard If he did"
 Ut may be so," she responded va cantly.
 Tell me-" he suggested presently, stammering If you don't mind giving me more of your confidence, to which l don't pretend to have any right, only my interest in-fn you-the mystery with which you surround yourself, liv- ing alone there in that wretched boarding house.