The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-12


Elsa Chetwood. now and hereafter You
made her acquaintance under false
pretenses."
II deny that. Not under false pre-
lenses" How quickly things went
about! Let ma tell you how met
her."
The consul general listened: he lis
tened with wonder and interest, and
more, with conviction that the young
man had been perfectly honest. But
the knowledge only added to his grow
ing alarm. 1t would not be difficult for
such q man to win the regard of any
young woman.
"And you told her what you had
done?"
Yes"
"Your first misstepi" touching the
cablegram.
MY first and only misstep. was q
careless, happy-go-lucky young fool"
The sky outside also had attraction for
Warrington. A thousand times fool!
How long ago did this happeni"
"Ten years this coming April"
"And now, after all this time, you
wish to go back?"
Il have wished to go back many
times, but never had money enough.
l have plenty now. oh, made 1t hon.
estly," smiling. "In oil, at Prone.
Here's cutting from Rangoon pa
per-"
The other read it carefully. It was
romance, romance such as he liked to
read in his books, but which was
mighty bewildering to have at his
elbow in actuality. What a life the
man must have led! And here he
was. with no more evidence Of the
conflict than might be discerned in the
manliness of his face and the breadth
and depth of his shoulders. He
dropped the cutting, impatiently.
Don't you believe it,"
Believe it? On, this? Yes" an
swered the consul general. What
cannot believe is that l am awake.
cannot quite make two and two equal
four. l cannot Wen, you do
not look like man who would rob his
employer of eight thousand dollars.
Parrot C Co. It's odd, but
recollect that title You were at
Udaipur during the plague
Warrington frightened. $50 that's
got about? l happened to be there.
working on the princes railway"
Il will send the cable at once. You
will doubtless hear from New York in
the morning. But you must not see
Miss Chetwood again"
"You will let me bid her good-by?
I admire and respect her more than
any other woman. She does not know
1t. for as yet her soul is asleep; but
she is one of those few women God
put on earth for the courage and COM
fort of man. Only to say good-by to
her. Here in this Office, if you wish"
Il agree to that
Thank you again" Warrington
rose.
Il am genuinely sorry for you. If
they say no, what will you do?"
go back just the same. have an
other debt to cancel
Call in the morning I'll let you
know what the charges are"
81 forgot Here are twenty pounds.
You can return the balance when l
call, / am very grateful"
BY the way, there lis a man here
by the name of Mallow,' began the
consul general.
YES" interrupted Warrington, with
a smile which was grim and cruel. 81
expect to call upon him. He owes me
something like fifty pounds. and am
going to collect it." Then he went
out.
The consul general dropped NAL
lows perfecto into the wastebasket
and lighted his pipe. Once more he
read the cablegram. The Andes Con-
struction company. What a twist,
what an absurd kink in the skein!
Nearly all of Elsa's wealth lay bound
up in this enormous business which
General Chetwood had founded thirty
odd years before. And neither of
them knew!
81 am not bad man at heart" he
mnsed, but / liked the young mans
expression when l mentioned that
bully Mallow"
He Joined his family at FIVE. He
waved aside tea. and called for q
lemon-squash.
ELSA. l am going to give you lee.
ture."
Didn't tell you?" cried Elsa to the
wife. Il felt in my bones that he was
going to say this very thing" She
turned to her. old-time friend Go
on: lecture me-"
I'm the first place. you are too kind
hearted"
That will be news to my friends.
They say have heart of ice."
And what you think is independ-
ence Of spirit is sometimes indiscre-
ton"
"Oh." said Elsa. becoming serious.
"a man came into my office today.
He is rich copra grower from Pc
nang. He spoke of you. You passed
him on going out. II had been twen-
ty years younger I'd have punched his
ugly head. His name is Mallow, and
he's not savory chap"
Elsa's cheeks burned. She never
would forget the look in that mans
eyes. The look might have been in
other mems eyes, but conventionality
had always yelled it; she had never