Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-30

WdlleQ Until the door was ClOSeQ De-
hind the footman, and then, speaking
with the high tension of man not
quite sure of himself, attacked the
other fiercely.
81 have come here, Mr.. Burton, or
Lord Castleton, or whatever the devil
you choose to call yourself" he blurt-
ed out, TO tell you straight that you
must stop fooling Marjorie Howell.
l won't stand for it'll Before you ar
rived in, this city Marjorie and were
as good a. engaged. It's true her
mother thought l was hardly eligible,
but my family has better standing
than hers in the state and, if we are
not quite 50 well fixed financially, l
was making a good start. Meanwhile,
Marjorie and / had determined to
cinch things one of these days by get
ting married. Now, you turn up, with
your grand airs, romantic history and
castles in England, and the old woman
is hot on your track, while I'm
damned If Marjorie isn't beginning to
think how fine it would be to be called
your ladyship.' This is mans BUSH
ness, not a woman's. It's you and
me for it. I'm"
John laughed. He couldn't help it.
Those words, your grand air." were
too much for his gravity. The
genuine ring of his merriment stayed
the unspoken threat on Ralph Nor
gan's lips.
Burton put his hands on his sol
disant rivals shoulders. 4
Steady, my boy" he said. Gust
your girl 1t isn't quite fair either to
her or me that you should say or even
think hard things about us. She's
delightful and interesting, of course,
and any man would be several sorts
of a fool who didn't wake up when
she's around. But marriage is
serious thing, and, if that's your OBJ
ject, I'm not competing. Now, just
sit down and tell me all about it
quietly"
Morgan, Gained and dominated by
stronger nature, gave in at once.
His hectoring tone changed to one of
entreaty and self-commiseration. But
there could be no manner of doubt
as to the nature of the plot Matched
by Mrs. Howell. The eyes of jeal-
Gus lover had pierced the armor Of
her intent Every little trick and sub
terfuge she had adopted to throw
Marjorie at the marquis head was laid
bare and disseeted mercilessly. Nor
gan himself was forbidden the house,
though Marjorie and he had been
playmates since childhood.
As the story progressed Burton
grew more and more irritated. At
last he made up his mind how to act.
He outlined a scheme which seemed
practicable, and wound up by say
ling: ~
BE sure to have your car outside
the Howell mansion at o'clock,
sharp, tomorrow loot your horn
three timessquickly, and I'll know that
matters have gone without a hitch
Morgan did not refuse to shake
hands this time. His eyes were misty
with emotion when he left the room.
Unfortunately John forgot one
thing. His interest in seemingly
idyllic love story had completely
driven out of his mind the tragic pos
sibilities attached to the proposed
hanimering Of c. o. & P. stock. He
spent the evening quietly at home, got
on the phone next morning, and
smiled almost cynically when Mrs.
Howell bubbled over with enthusi-
asim at the suggestion that he should
come to lunch.
He ate very enjoyable meal. As
he foresaw. the mother left her
daughter alone with him at the earli-
est possible moment. Quite innocent
ly, Marjorie was employing some of
her feminine arts, when. John cut her
short He handed her note.
Would you mind taking that to
your, room before you open it," he
said. Meanwhile, you will oblige me
by asking Mrs. Howell to come and
have few minutes conversation"
Surprised and fluttered, the girl
agreed. She had recognized Ralph
Morgan's handwriting on the en-
velopc, and naturally wondered what
Buttons mysterious manner portend-
ed. She knew within two minutes.
Her lover wrote;
John Burton has turned out to be
just the best ever. We have ar
ranged everythins--license, ring and
timc-and the minister is expecting
us. Now, hurry, darling!"
There was more, OF course, but
Marjorie's eyes danced so in her head
the remainder became tumble of in
coherencies.
Mrs. Howell, greatly agitated by
1.-THE marquis significant request, came