University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-08-02
Continued from last issue)

and smiled his kindly smile.
My dear young lady" he said. 81
regret that policy very deeply. Wher
| first heard of it |, too, suspected Al
lan's motives. But after / talked
with him-after | saw you-I was
convinced that his affection for you
was most sincere. / thought back tc
the gambling schemes for which the
family has been noted-I saw it was
the old passion cropping out anew in
Allan-that he was really not e
blame-that beyond any question he
was quite devoted to you. Other
wise I'd have done everything in my
power to prevent the wedding"
"Yes?" Miss Meyrick's eyes flashed
dangerously. "And-your other wit
ness, Allan?"
The soul of the other witness
squirmed in agony. This was too
much-too much,
iou'
You have understood"
81 have felt that you were sincere
ly fond of Miss Meyrick," Minot re-
piled. otherwise | should not have
done-what | have done"
Then. Mr.. Minot," the girl in
quired, you think / would be wrong
to give up all plans for the wedding?"
'I-I-yes, | do" writhed Minot
And you advise me to marry Lord
Harrowby at once?"
Air. Nknot passed his handkerchief
over his damp forehead. Had the
girl no mercy?
81 do" he answered miserably
Cynthia Meyrick laughed, harshly,
mirthlessly.
Because that's your business-your
mean little business" she said scorn-
fully. 81 know at last why you came
to San Marco. | understand every
thing You had gambled with Lord
Harrowby, and you came here to see
that you did not lose your money
Well, you've lost! Carry that news
back to the concern you work for, In
spite of your heroic efforts, you've
lost At the last moment Cynthia
Meyrick changed her mind"
Lost, The word cut Minot to the
quick. Lost, indeed, Lost Jephson's
stake-lost the girl he loved. He had
failed Jephson-failed himself, Af-
ter all he had done-au he had sacri-
feed A double defeat, and therefore
doubly bitter
'Cynthia-surely you don't mean
Lord Harrowby was pleading.
81 do, Allan" said the girl more
gently. at was true-what | told you
there by the window. 1t is better
father, viii you go down and
say-I'm not to be married. after all?"
Spencer Meyrick nodded, and
turned toward the door
Cynthia" cried Harrowby broken
ly. There was no reply. Old Meyrick
went out
I'm sorry" his lordship said. Sor-
ry l made such mess of 1.-THE more
so because l love you, Cynthia-and
always shall Good-by."
He held out his hand. She put hers
in it.
Its too bad, Allan" she said. But
it wasn't to be. And, even now,
you have one consolation-the money
that Lloyds must pay you"
"The money means nothing, Gym
thia-"
Miss Meyrick is mistaken" Minot
Lord Harrowby has not
even that consolation. Lloyds owes
him nothing"
why not?" asked the girl defiantly.
up to an hour ago." said Minot.
you were determined to marry his
ordship?'
81 should hardly put it that way
Butt intended to-"
"Yes. Then yoa changed your |
mind Why?"
81 changed it because / found out
bout this ridiculous, this insulting /
,ohcy"
Then his lordship's taking out of
he policy caused the calling off of the
vedding?"
Yves. Why?"
1T may interest you to know-and
may interest Lord Harrowby to re-
all-that five minutes before he took
ut this policy he signed an agree
lent to do everything in his power
D bring about the wedding. And he