The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-10-04

Matilda stopped short. Jack
wheeled about.
Hello, Matilda. Thought you'd
Igone down to the Kitchen"
"Why-why-if 1t isn't Mr..
Jack" stammered Matilda.
Mrs. De Peyster trembled.
6|What more likely than that Ma
tilda, in her amazement, should
reveal the houses secret? But
the half light of the room was a
very obliging ally against such
unsuspicion as her sons.
"Of course, it's Jack" said he.
"But say, what's the matter. Ma
ltilda?"
Yes, what's the matter, Ma
tilda?" asked Mary, with great
concern.
"Ma'am - ma am" staring
wildly at Mary-'I-I don't know
ma'am."
What, have you already for
gotten what I told you about
Mary"
"Ma,-Mary?" gasped Matilda
blankly.
Where have you put your head
Matilda? Yes-Mary!-Mary! -
Mary! Mary De Peyster-Mrs.
Jack De Peyster-my welded
wife-whom 1T cost me four thir-
ty-nine to make my own. I'm
derstand?"
"P-per-perfectly, Mr.. Jack"
I Jack moved to the wall near
the door, where were several but
! tons.
MARY, I'm going to ring for
William-we'd better take him
into this thing straight off, or he
may stumble on the fact that ex-
! ira people are in the house and
call in the police"
At her crack in the pantry door
Mrs. De Peyster grew even more
apprehensive.
Jack and Mary cooed; Matilda
sat all Of a heap; and presently
] William walked in. He came in
with a naughty glover. for he had
supposed the ring to be Matilda's.
! But at sight Of Jack and Mary his
face went blayk with amazement.
why, why, Mr.. Jack!"
Hello, william! This is Mrs.
Jack, william. Just married.
We've coAne to spend the summer
with you"
Yes, SIR"
But on the quiet, William. I'm
derstand? II you leak a word
about our being here-well, l
! know about the heart-throb bust
ness between you and Matilda. II
you drop one word, put mother
next to what's doing between you
two. That's all. Goodnight"
Jack turned his back, and
! Mary, whose heart went out to
all lovers, delicately turned hers.
William" fluttered Matilda,
taking an eager, hesitating step
toward him.
He stared at her haughtily.
William" she cried bewilder-
ed. what is it,"
II believe you know what 1t is,
Miss Simpson," he replied wither-
! ingly, and stalked out under full
majesty.
Matilda spoke up Jack,
, have you got supper things
started yet in the kitchen?"
| "Er-er-what?" stammered
poor Matilda.
Say, see here-what the dick
ems is the matter with your" Jack
exploded in evaporation. you
just promised to start supper in
the kitchen, and now"
"Of course-of course" gulped
Matilda, II forgot. I'll do it right
away"
Matilda was Keeling. But she
started for the door of the but
ler's pantry.
, In the darkness of the pantry a
,, hand fell upon her arm. "Matil-
!, d." breathed her mistress voice,
and Matilda had enough control
c not to cry out. or was too far
!, gone. Clutching hands, they
, went down the winding stairs that
, led from the buffers pantry to
the kitchen.
0 "Oh, ma'am, ma ami" moaned
Q Matilda in the darkness.
Matilda, there is only one
, thing to do! We must leave the
, housed"
9 "Oh. ma'am, yes! This minute.
But where"
, There's no time 20 think of
anything now but getting out"
cried Mrs. De Peyster with fran
, tic energy. "Slip up the front
stairway, Matilda, and get your
hat. And here are my keys. Lock
my sitting-room, so they can't see
any ones been living in 1t. You
can manage 1t without them see
Ing you. And for heavens sake,
, hurry!"
Two minutes later these things
J were done, and Matilda, bonneted.
was hurrying forward hand in
hand with Mrs. De Peyster thru
the black hallway of the base
ment.
CHAPTER VI.