, 1915-07-01

lSnl = SlSItT-H ClllO.
"The kids dippy over me-" the
young man commended warmly. ANY.
how. she's sixteen. OF course | know
wainwright would be sore on the
game. But | believe the kid would
slip out to the parson with me at the
drop of he hat If only Lucene would
pass the word. Now, l want you to
speak on my side to Lucene. Be a
good pal. won't you. Andy?" He clap
ped Andrew Familiarity on the shout.
der.
The Master Mind started back as
n would retreat from some noxious
pollution.
IF you pleaser' he said. bis tone
was dangerous.
Walter cringed abjectly. I'm sorry.
/ forgot" he stammered.
Without another look toward him the
Master Mind went out Of the room.
Lucene entered.
you wished to speak to met" she in
quined indifferently.
Il want to speak to you about
Helen.,'
1T is absolutely useless, Walter"
Lucene declared promptly, with weart-
ness in her voice. The idea is absurd.
Helen is only n child"
She's old enough to know what
she's doing, anyhow" Walter argued.
Lucene shook her head emphatically.
That's just it." she said, r~esolutely.
She isn't" She welcomed the coming
Of Mr. and Mrs. Blount, which put an
end to this intolerable tetea-tete.
Mrs. Blount spoke to Lucene with a
half serious ~playfulness:
Hes such a naughty boyI Has he
been worrying you, dearieY' Suddenly
her greedy eyes fell on a bracelet that
the young wife was wearing for the
first time. ''Oh, what a lovely brace
leti' she exclaimed, and now her tones
We're wheedlingly soft and sweet She
placed a hand on the ornament caress-
ingly, 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.
mo. you shan't nave it." she de-
clared spiritedly.
why, dearieI" Mrs. Blount cooed
p~lacatingly, the heavy lids dropping
low over her big. slumbrous eyes. 81
only wanted to-
Lncene was ruthlessly frank.
mo, l tell you. You've taken almost
everything have already"
The husband fairly glared at his wife.
you told me she gave 'em to your
he growled bitterly.
And you did, didn't you. dearie?''
the wife persisted, alarmed.
But any hope Of help, from the girl
as an ally was ~dissipated on the in
slant.
II did notr' Lucene exclaimed with
a vehemence rare in her.
The cold voice of Andrew sounded
dominant through the room:
Mrs. BlountI'
All turned to face the speaker where
he stood just within the doorway, but
the woman he 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.
shell give them back. of course"
Andrew, however, made no answer.
For that matter. he was no longer CIV
ing attention to the woman or her hus-
band. He was. instead, listening to
the dialogue between Walter and Luz
Gene, for the young man had seized
this opportunity to continue his plead.
ing with the girl.
SAY, II you'll do this for me" he
was urging, TN never bother you
again. Come On nowl Won't your
NO" was the steadfast answer, 81
will not. During the last month you
have made my life miserable by forcing
me to get money for you from my hus-
band to save you from disgrace. and
incidentally myself. But you may
threaten me as much as you hke-you
shan't have Helen. No, no."
"Why not, I'd like to known" Walter
demanded blusteringly.
The reply was explicit:
Because you're not 1T"
The -contemptuous words caused the
thtef's fury to pass all bounds.
"Oh, l amt eh7" he stormed. We'll,
I'd have you know I'm just as ut for
Helen us you are for Wainwright. Seer
And, If you don't help me. why. my
fine lady. I'll just
Andrews voice broke of the half
spoken threat
THAT will do. Walter" he command
ed. -Lueene is right"
The young nan protested.
But l only want to marry Helen"
at is impossible Andrew retorted.
Walter Jared again.
$50. that's the game. is It'll" he sneerN
ed, well l don't go tomorrow the
thief cried. w%rathfully.
Andrew turned blandly toward
Blount.
when you go out will you be SO
good as to send Parker here as your