The Spectator., 1916-01-21
IOT ina G7A) HJpIN S5X2) bT GELETT BURGESS
 ILLUSTRATED RAY VALUES
CHAPTER XIV-Contlnued.
6IR


MT. Doremus!" she calculated. q heard something about Halls losing -money-his uncle's will, you know that was mistake. wasn't it?"
 How . mistake, Miss Dallys! wasn't aware that you were interested in the subject. and hardly know to what you refer"
 afternoon wasn't 1t! Everybody knows about it."
 "Ah." said the lawyer, "T would ad- wise you not to put too much faith in the papers, Miss Dallys."
 "But 1t said that Hall would get his 7uncle's money"
 Rosamund. who had joined her, broke in-"If he was married on or be- fore his twenty-eighth birthday"
 Mrs. Royalton was also in it. excited iy-"And he's twenty eight tomorrow no, it's today!"
 MT. Doremus stood, with his hands behind his back, watching them inn passively. "Ah, my dear ladies, that just shows how little one can depend upOH tuC ou lt6T, reporters love such expressions. They positively seem to think that no docu- ment is complete without that par ticular term"
 But isn't 1t on or before'?" they demanded.
 Not at all. Not at all. The phrase Is, to the best of my recollection, be ha, a4t birthday In the interpretation of the law, ones birthday begins at midnight preceding such date. MT. Bonistelle's chances for inheriting, therefore, lapse at twelve o'clock"
 One and all turned to gaze at the clock. And now. it's ten minutes past!" cried Carolyn.
 So 1t seems!" said Mir Doremus. And now. ladies, is there anything -else I can do for you? If not. I must rejoin Mir. Hassingbury and discuss his legal arrangements" With a low bow he passed at once out of the room.
 For a moment the three ladies. non- plused. were dumb. Then. slowly. Rosa smund turned to Carolyn, all her rancor gone. We'll" she said. don't that beat anything you ever heard in your ,ife?"
 It was evident by Carolyn's ironic smile that she considered the remark inadequate. but even she could do no better. Mrs. Royalton was more ef- fective. She burst into tears.
 Rosamund began to storm. Why It's no better than stealing! That's the only word for it,"
 Lord, don't be fool" said Carolyn finally. we got the wrong tip, that's all. But seem to see, now. why Mir Hall was in so much of hurry.
 I'm going home!" walled Mrs. Roy alton, dabbing her eyes.
 I'm not till give him a piece of my mind!" cried Rosamund
 Hush! Wait a minute!" Carolyn whispered. "Is that he out in the of flee, there. with Miss Fisher? You wait here. girls. I'm going to call him dn!" Leaving them. she walked quietly to the door.
 Hall! Oh, Hall," she called sweet ly. She smiled as If upon an angel. Come in hero minute. will you? I've got little surprise for you!" She 'darted back, and took her place with the others, three in line.
 He came in smiling. saw the three outraged ladies, and stopped, with an embarrassed grin What is it?" he managed to say.
 "Oh. Hall. Hall. you've broken my 4heart!" Mrs. Royalton wept again.
 Hush up. Rena. You let me talk. Miss Gale. will youy I'd like to hear just what this particular sort of cur can find to say for himself!"
 "Guilty!" said Hall. seeing the use- A lessness of protest. Now go ahead!" sS' Have you got any face to stand there and calmly acknowledge" eCarolyn broke in. You deliberately deceived us. then-all three!"
 Just exactly as you deceived one ;another!" he could not resist adding.
 At that, all three broke loose to- ,gether. and. for the next five minutes Hall Bonistelle faced the music. It was not only useless, but impossible, to uusNci lucu Lic stOOu, Wltu HIS arms folded. lowing and smiling sar- .donically.
 The stiletto was Carolyn's weapon, shut for Rosamund. the bludgeon. Aha, < iittin Jack-the-Lady-killer are you ? Tireo at a shot, eh?" sang in between A"You're cad. Hall Bonistelle. you're "a liar aud cheat!" Poor Rena could ssbut feebly pinch him with reproaches: sshe was dissolved in her woe. So it went. splitting. pounding and blubber. ing--he ought to be horsewhipped, someone's father or somebody's broth. CT should thrash him! It was an out. rage and a disgrace. What if they called in the company to publish his Ascality? They were glad. glad. glad 3a had lost his money; it was good enough for him!
 Vt was then that Hall saw a great light. He gave laugh that stilled