Putnam patriot., 1915-09-03

tue UHBtE SAi0 FNtuilEbNlllLAN. EsiiN T. runment has worked wonders ia you. It's rather pity that you cannot re- main here to complete your sadly neg. lected education in the niceties of breeding You % tomorrow"
 Tomorrow Walter repeated the word with an infection of incredulous liSmay.
 Yes You and the Blounts have been the glests of the Wainwriehts now for a month There is such q thing aS abusing hospitality"
 "But-but where ana l eoiagg
 Wherever you please. Andrew turned curtly toward Parker as the servant entered the roam.
 Mrs Waiuwrisht wishes to see Mir. Andrew"
 Walter interpesed exeitedly:
 "I say Parker. just tell my sister I'd like 10 see her for minute first. will you E Then as the servant withdrew he faced AHtrew gagerly. Look here. he urged desperately. @I don't want to lul inst yet. I've come across Tor you Now l want you to come across for me Won't you: want to marry Helen
 The Master Mind contemplated his puppet with a superciious sure
 You grow ambitious, Walter Mir. Wainwright's sister-a childr'
 The kids dippy over me. the young man eontended warmly. Any. how. shes sixteen. Of cours. I know Wainwrisht would be sore on the game. Bat l believe the kid would slip out to the parson with me at the drop of the hat if only Lueene would pass the word. Now, l want you to speak on my side To Lueene. Be geed pal, won't you, Andy2" He clap ped Andrew familiarly on the shoul- der
 The Master Mind started back as one would retreat from some neXious pollution
 "If you pleaser he said His tone was dangerous.
 Walter ernged abjeetly. I'm sorry. I forgot. he Stammered. Without another loek toward him the Master Mind went out of the room.
 Lucene entered
 You wished to speak to me?1 she in quired iudiHcrently.
 "I want To speak to you about Helen"
 Tt is absolutely useless. Walter" Lucene declared promptly. with weari- ness n her voice "The idea is absurd Helen k enly child" gl4 ,r,,,YI she $ doing. anyhow" Walter argued. Lucenc shook her head emphatically. That's just it." she said, resolutely.
 She isn't" She welcomed the coming of Mir. and Mrs Blount, which put an end to tbis intolerable tete-a- tete. Mrs. Blount spoke to Lucene with a half serious playfulness: Hes such a naughty boy! Has he been worrying you. dearie?" Suddenly her greedy eyes fell on a bracelet that the young wife was wearing for the first time. "Oh. what a lovely brace ett' she exclaimed, and now her tones were wheedlingiy soft and sweet. She placed hand en the ornament earess- ngly. but the slender, skilled fingers were busy.
 Lucene. however. was in no mood to be patient under the impositions Of this woman She drew her arm away quickly
 No. you shan't have il" she de elared spifitedly Why, dearie.e Mrs. Blount eooed placatHgiy, the heavy lids dropping low over her big, slumbrous eyes. T anly wanted to Lueene was ruthlessly frank.
 No tel you. You've taken almost everything 1 have already"
 The husband fairly gHred at his wife.
 You told me she gave 'em to you!'' he sroWed bitterly.
 And you did, didn't you. dearief" the wife persisted, alarmed But any hope of help from the girl IS an ally was disslpated on the ia stant.
 II did not"' Lucene exclaimed with vehemence rare in her
 The cold voice of Andrew sounded dominant through the room:
 Mrs. Blountf'
 All turned to face the speaker where he stood just within the doorway. but the woman be addressed turned much more slowly than did the others.
 Blount. nevertheless, made bold to speak up manfully in behalf of his erring spouse.
 "Oh, that'll be all right. he declared. with an effort toward assurance. tShefl give them back, of course"
 Andrew. however, made no answer. For that natter he was no longer giv- ing attention to the woman or her hus- band. He was, instead. listening to Inc dialogue between Walter and Lu cene. for the young man had seized this opportunity to continue his plead ing with the girl
 Say, if you'll do this for me-" he was urging m never bother you again Come on now Won't you?"
 No was the steadfast answer, q will not. During the last month you me to get money for you from my bus band to save you from disgrace, and incidentally myself. But you may threaten me as much as you like-you shan't have Helen. No, mol"
 Why not, I'd like to know?" Walter demanded blusteringly.
 The reply was explicit:
 Because you're not it"
 The contemptuous words caused the thief's fury to pass all bounds.
 "Oh, ain't ehf" he stormed. Well,