Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-11-23
The LiIeth.

The Lileth.
across the foot of her bed. Today the
Lileth was to steam into San Marco
harbor! Today her bridegroom was tt
smile his slow British smile on hel
once more. She recalled these facts
without the semblance of thrill.
Mr.. Minot, after lonesome if abun
dant breakfast. was at this momen
,trolling across the hotel courtyard to-
ward yesterday mornings New York
papers. AS he walked the pert prom
ses Of Mr.. Trimmer filed his mind.
What was the proposition Mr.. Trim
ner had in tow? How would it affect
The approaching wedding? And what
course of action should the representa-
i've of Jephson pursue when it was re-
vealed? For in the sensible light of
morning Dick Minot realized that while
he remained in San Marco as the
guardian Of Jephson's interests he
must do his duty. Adorable Miss Mey-
rick might be, but any change of mind
on her part must be over his dead body.
A promise was a promise
At the newsstand Minot met Jack
Paddock, jaunty, with gardenia in his
buttonhole and the atmosphere of pros
perity that goes with 1t.
81 haven't seen you since we left col
Iege, have II" said Paddock. well.
Dick, for couple of years I tried to
make good doing fiction. I turned
them out by the yard-nice quiet little
tea table yarns, with snappy dialogue.
Once got $50 for a story. 1t was hard
work-and 1 always yearn for the pur-
pie, you know"
II know" said AIinot gravely.
well, I've struck it, Dick. I've
struck the deep purple with loud, If
sickening, thud. Hist! The graft I
mentioned yesterday" He glanced
over his shoulder. Remember Mrs.
Bruce, the wittiest hostess in San
Marco?
'Of course 1 do"
"Well, write her repartee for her."
"Her what?"
Her repartee - her dialogue - the
bright talk she convulses dinner tables
with. Instead of putting my smart
stuff into stories at eighty per 1 sell 1t
to Mrs. Bruce at-Td be ashamed to
tell you, old man. remarked that IT
was essentially soft. 1t is"
This is a new one on me-" said Mi
not, daze6
A delighted smile spread over Mr..
Paddock's handsome face.
Thanks. That's the beauty of II.
I'm pioneer. Therell be others, but
was the first. Consider the situation,
Here's Mrs. Bruce, loaded with dia.
monds and money, but tongue tied in
company, with a wit developed In q
small town. Bright, but struggling,
young author comes to her-offers to
make her conversation the sensation OF
the place for few pesos"
"You did that?"
Yes; l ask posterity to remember II
was 1 who invented the graft. Mrs.
Bruce fell on my fair young neck.
Now she gives me In advance list of
her engagements, and for the impor.
tant ones / devise her line of talk.
Then, as I'm usually present at the oc-
casiou, / swing things round for her
and give her her cues. If I'm not
there she has to manage 1t herself.
It's a great life, only bit of strain
on me. I have to remember not to be
clever In company. If I forget and
spring a good one she jumps on me
proper afterward for not giving 1t to
her."
by the way" Paddock said, 'you
haven't told me what brought you
south?'
Business, Jack" said Minot. "It's
secret. Perhaps can tell you later"
Business? thought, Of course, you
came for pleasure"
"There'll be no pleasure in this trip
for me-" said Minot bitterly.
"Oh, won't thereT' Paddock laughed.
"Wait till you hear Mrs. Bruce talk.
See you later, old man."
At luncheon they brought Mr.. Minot
telegram from a certain seventeenth
floor in New York. an explosive tele-
gram. 1t read:
Nonsense. Nobody here to take your
place. See it through. You've given your
word. THACKER.
Gloomily Mr.. Minot considered. What
was there to do but see 1t through ?
Even though Thacker should send an
other to take his place, could he stay
to WOO the lady he adored7 Hardly.
In that event he would have to go