, 1916-01-27

Ing there with Ambrose and the count.
ess. The order from Brown x James
q begun 1t, and that was really the
soap kings fault, since he had waved
his monopolistic wand and caused the
false order to spring up out of the
ground, and Mary's 5000 contribu,
ton to the soap company's capital had
developed 1t, which may also be said
to have been the fault of the old mag
nate.
The Brown x James order was espe-
cfally to blame. however. because it
had made the future look assured and
rosy and encouraging, so that together
they had taken the plunge. In the .iiu-
minated moments which followed the
10000 flash Mary's reluctance had dis.
appeared, Rodney's ardor had redou-
bled, and in the reaction of a lovers
quarrel and a grand makeup" as
Mary said, they had gone off to the
Little Church Around the Corner and
been married. That was the whole
story. Really and truly it was all old
Mr.. Martins fault and prearranged by
him from the beginning, as Mary told
herself again and again, defending her.
self against Rodney's fathers possible
wrath when the news of his sons mar
riage to a typewriter should be broken
gently to him.
The quarrel came. as quarrels and
April showers are apt to do. out of IL
clear n serene sky. In the general
jubilation over Brown & James Rod
ney had remarked, escorting Mary up
town at night, that now the first thing
he was going to do with his share of
the profits was to pay her back that
$1,000.
"And then" he added sententiously,
there won't be anything between us
any more
Something in the tone Of his voice.
quite unintentional on the boys part,
no doubt, had piqued Mary.
You've always fused about that"
she said.
Something in the way she said the
word fused piqued Rodney.
And don't you think it's been M
thing to fuss about?" he demanded.
When n fellows best girl. his iancee.
takes money from a rich old man. and
then the fellow lets her lose it all in his
business-well, l don't see why you
can't see that the situations pretty
raw"
why do you say lost? | hope you
don't think it's really lost" retorted
Mary. Don't be such a gloomy GUS
We'll. you know what | mean" per.
sisted Rodney. 1T was darned near
lost. And that shows vol do care
about 1t anyway"
Why shouldn't | care about it?'
said Mary. Indeed think $1,000 is a
good deal of money"
Il think it's a whole lot of money"
said Rodney, and you must excuse me
II l can't help wondering how a girl
in your position was able to get hold
of IT."
"A girl in my position" echoed Mary
scornfully. That's right. Rub it in.
I'm really ashamed of YOU. Rodney
Martin. And you know perfectly well
/ wasn't born a typewriter"
Mary" he said. trying to be perfect
ly calm and persuasive, tell me now.
You know we shall be happier"
81 don't know 1t at ALL" said Mary
obstnately.
Mary. please" he said. trying to
take her hand.
No" said Mary,-"I don't believe
you'd like me if you knew"
Please" persisted Rodney.
The long, uniform rows of New York
house fronts stretched away on either
side of them In the obscurity. A red
light twinkled in one bay window, and
beneath the shade could be seen the
rows of books i'll a library. Near the
curb opposite an extraordinarily silent
limousine had just drawn up, with II
little swish OF its rubber tires as it
came to rest. and presently a man and
q m in joyous evening ralment
came out of the house and got into it.
The woman wore a perfectly gor-
geous opera cloak. and combs flashed
in her beautifully arranged hair. The
mans linen was very white and his
silk hat very shiny. The chauffeur had
switched on the light inside the car.
and the occupants showed a moment
brilliantly in the Jewel box of its In
terror before the light went out and
the car moved Off again, west and
south. to the haunts of pleasure. as
Ambrose Peale would have said. A
throb and Il sob came into Mary's
voice as she saw 1t all, and she an
swered again:
You might hate me. And I'm tax
ing you away from all that, which was
yours by right"
"Come in a moment" said Rodney
gently and kindly.
They climbed the stairs together, and
q West Indian ''butler" let them in.
Rodney drew Mary into a hideous little
reception room on the ground door,
took both the girls hands In his and
looked earnestly into her lovely eyes.
You're the finest girl In the world.
Mr. ha .nIl .and ua.hlnm .arlll