The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-10-02


spoke rapidly. II don't think I'm
SO bad as you think | am-honest.
You may change your mind; l
hope you do, dear; and IL you do,
write me, phone me, telegraph me.
cable me, wireless me-. But, OF
course, not to me direct; the po-
lice, you know. Address me In
care of the Reverend Mr.. Pye-
croft. Here's card of the board
ing house where he is staying" He
thrust the bit of pasteboard into
her free hand. Remember, dear,
l really am your husband"
With an outraged gesture, she
flung the card to the floor.
1t was at just this moment that
Mrs. De Peyster, ascending from
the scene with the reporters,
knocked on the door.
Into the study" whispered
Miss Gardner, pointing at a door,
"and watch your chance to get
OUT"
In the same instant the door
closed softly behind him. Into the
library swept Mrs. De Peyster, fol-
lowed by Olivetta and Matilda.
There was lofty sternness in
Mrs. De Peyster's manner. miss
Gardner, | believe heard you
speaking with a man"
you did"
where is he?"
"He went out thru the window"
said Miss Gardner.
"Ah, he did not want me to
find out about you. But by
chance I overheard him say he was
your husband"
'He is" Then with an effort:
"But husband or no husband, Mrs.
De Peyster, believe I would be
of equal value"
II desire no scene, no argyll
ment," interrupted Mrs. De Pey-
ster. 81 believe you will remem-
Der, Miss Gardner, that when you
applied for your present position
two months ago, I toldryou that
made 1t rule to have no en-
ployes of any kind who were mar
ried. I then asked you IL you
were married. You informed me
you were not"
And | was not, at that time
Indeed! IL you had been what
you declared yourself to be, and
remained such. you could have
stayed with me indefinitely. Ma
tilda there has been with me 20
years. as she will tell you, with
no desire to change her state
whatever" IS ~
| Matilda hastily dropped her
eyes. Mechanically she noted the
rejected card Mr.. Bradford had
rendered Miss Gardner. Her long
habit of perfect orderliness
prompted her to bend over and
secure this bit of litter. She
thrust 1t into the pocket OF her
black skirt.
Mrs. De Peyster continued:
Miss Gardner, since you are not
what you declare yourself to be,
| no longer require your service"
Miss Gardner bowed stiffly.
At just this moment a CHEEKY
masculine voice called out:
May | come In, mother?'
you. Jack. You may"
The door swung open, Miss
Gardner stepped out, and there
entered young man of % or 20,
flawlessly dressed. He crossed to
Mrs. De Peyster.
Good morning, mother; glad
to get back" he said, imprinting
kiss upon her stately cheek.
Hello, Oliyetta."
Good morning. Jack" respond
ed Olivetta.
Jack slipped an arm across Ma
tilda's shoulders. "How are you.
Matilda? Glad to see you again.
And I'm glad to see you again,
Mr.. Jack" returned Matilda, with
look of stealthy affection.
please go. Matilda" said Mrs.
DePeyster crisply. And now,
Jack" she continued with frigid
dignity after Matilda had with
drawn, II trust that you will ex-
plain your absence. and your long
silence"
Certainly, mother" said Jack.
But I'd like to put a few leading
questions to you first. Olivette,"
he remarked pleasantly, do you
know that Sherlock Holmes found
1t an instructive and valuable oc-
cupation to count the stairsteps in
a house? Suppose you run out
for five minutes and count 'em.
I'll bet you box Of"
Olivetta had risen. somewhat in
dignantly. "Oh, If you want me
out Of the way, all right" And
with a rapidity that approached
instantaneity, she disappeared.
We'll, first Of all, mother, I'm
dissatisfied"
Dissatisfied" She straighten-
ed up. What about Do not
allow you all the money youwant!
Have I not practically arranged a
match between you and Ethel
Quintard? Ethel will have three
millions some, day. What more
can you want 7laa-
well, for one thing. to go to
SC hool," was Jacks amicable re-
Spouse. Yso1
60 to school! WhyLwhy.
you've already had the best of