The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-09-23

time Here comes a man now that I /
want you to know" and she beckoned |
to a man who was crossing the floor |
with tall and strikingly handsome |
brunette.
why, it's Mr.. Morton!" exclaimed |
Cleo. Il didn't know that he was
here. Have you known him long,
here. Have you known him Iong?"
CT never met him until tonight, but
he seems to be a very charming fell
low. He and the Countess Ivanoff.
the lady who is with him, are old
Mr.. Paget. 1 invited them on his &C
count"
''This is indeed a pleasant surprise.
Miss Burke said Morton, gazing at
Cleo in such open admiration that her
eyes dropped in confusion. Now
am glad came. You look as though
you had come straight from the Rue
de Ia PAX May I have this dancer"
Cleo glanced at Hope, who was al
ready deep in an animated converse
ton with the countess. He seemed
to have forgotten her entirely. He
had not even asked her for a dance
a little flush of anger came into her
cheeks.
Indeed you mayy' she answered.
'fI am very fond Of dancing" and the
next moment she was floating away in
the arms of Gerald Morton. When
Hope caught sight of them Morton
was whispering something in her ear
which caused her to look up into his
eyes with a smile of pleasure.
Morton lost no time in starting his
campaign of Iove-making. An unex-
pected opportunity had been thrown
in his way and he intended to make
the most of it. He had had much ex-
perience in the game of love, but he
had never played it for such high
stakes, or when it was so vitality nee
essary for him to win, and he appre-
ciated, moreover that, were he to be
successful he would have to play
with consummate skill. Nor did he
make the mistake of undertaking his
adversary Jarvis Hope. He knew
that the young naval officer held an
assured place in Cleo's affections, but
he also knew from experience that it
is always easy to make a woman jeal-
Gus Of the man she loves. And he de-
termined that his first move should
be to stir up jealousy between Hope
and Cleo. When the dance was over,
following the customary rules of the
game, he suggested to Cleo that they
take a stroll upon the terrace, and it
was there, in a nook formed by a
screen of palms, that they were found,
half an hour later, by Hope and Olga.
I've been looking for you every
where, Cleo" he said sternly. "Why
have you been away so long?"
81 have been talking to Mr.. Morton"
Cleo answered. But" she added de-
family, CT wasn't aware that 1 was
expected to give you an account of
my actions. I am quite old enough
to take care Of myself, thank you"
Morton saw with satisfaction that
a lovers quarrel was brewing, but it
was ended almost before it began by
Mrs. Delmar, who at that moment
stepped onto the terrace.
20, Mr. Hope" she cried, catch
ing sight of the group behind the
palms, I've been looking all over for
you. The butler tells me that my
nephew came half an hour ago. He
must have taken the books upstairs,
though I can't understand why that
stupid servant at the door didn't let
me know. Don't you and Miss Burke
want to go up to the study and look
at them?"
As Hope and Cleo followed their
hostess into the house, Morton and
Olga looked at each other significant
~. 1--WE must follow Them" Olga
whispered.
When Francis Leyland arrived he
was met at the door by Mahlin, who
recognized him by the package under
his arm.
Are you Mr.. Leyland, sir?' he in
CURED respectfully.
"I am was the answer.
"Your aunt desires me to tell you,
sir" said Mahlin smoothly, that you
are to give me the books and I am
to take them to the upstairs study so
that Lieutenant Hope can see them
The study was large and hand
somely furnished apartment
Mahlin, closing the door behind him
had unwrapped the books with quick
nervous fingers, and was bent over
the table, absorbed in their examina.
ton, when the door was suddenly
thrown open and young Leyland en-
tered the room
Excuse me-" he exclaimed, suppos
ing the figure at the table was one OF
the guests, I'm sorry if intruded.
just stepped in to see if I could find
some cigarettes" and then, recogniz
ing Mahlin as the servant who had
admitted him, what the devil are yoJ
doing with those books? And why
haven't you told my aunt that I had
arrived?"
81 really beg pardon, sir" said the
supposed servant humbly, "but 1 wal
: just glancing over the volumes, sir
/ They are highly interesting, sir.
} will notify your aunt Immediately
; sir" and he backed toward the door
''wen, don't waste any more tins
} about it, then,' said Leyland, "anC
you can tell her that I'm going to sta!
here for a while and have a smoke
?