The Detroit times., 1916-10-04

MONTE'S lips came together
A'A AS far as he himself was con
cerned, he was willing 20 take the
risk; but the risk was not his to
take AS long as he found him
self unable 10 devise any scheme
by which he could, even technical
ly. make himself over into her
father, her brother, or even a first
cousin. there appeared no possible
way in which he could assume the
right that woold not make 1t a risk
Except one way
Here Monte caught his breath.
There was Just one relationship
open 10 him that would bestow
upon him automatically the unde-
niable right 70 say 10 Teddy Ham
ilton anything that might occur to
HIM
To be sure, the idea was rather
staggering It was distinctly novel,
Tor one thing; and not at all in
his line, for another This, how
ever was crisis calling for stag
gering novelties
Monte walked slowly 10 her
side. She turned and met his eyes.
MarJory,' he said Marjory,
VIII YOU marry me-
She shrank away.
"Mputs'"
Il mean it, he said. will you
marry me?"
Alter the first shock she seemed
more hurt than anything
You aren't going TO be like the
others she pleaded.
No, he assured her. That's
why well, that's why ! thought
we might arrange il
But ! don't love you Monte 70
"Oi course not"
And you you don't love me ="
That's it," he nodded eagerly.
Yet YOU are asking me to mar
~ YOU"
Just because OF that he said.
Don't You understand :"
She was trying hard 70 under
stand.
don't see why being engaged
10 man YOU don't care about need
bother YOU AZ all, he ran on It's
the caring that seems 20 make the
trouble whether you're engaged
or not suppose that's what all,
Teddy"
She had been watching Monies
eyes but She turned away for a
"Ot course he continued. you
can care without caring too much
Can't people care in just a friendly
sort OF way2'
81 should think so. Monte" she
answered
Then why can't people become
EN- Gagged In just friendly sort OF
way"
1T wouldp't mean very much.
would III"
Just enough" he said.
He held out his hand
Is il a bargain %
She searched his eyes. They
were clean and blue.
It's so absurd, Moutew she
gaspcd.
You can call me. 70 yourself,
your secretary" he suggested.
NO not that"
Then he said. call me Just a
camarade de voyage"
Her eyes warmed trife
III keep on calling you Just
NJ onte, she whispered
And She gave him her hand.
L Violently young Hamilton
l. did not hear Monte come
down the stairs, for he was sitting
in a chair near the window. with
his head in his hand. and did not
move even when Monte entered
the room.
Hello, Hamilton said CovinR-
ton.
Hamilton sprans 70 his feet-a
shaking, CHASTITY remnant Of a
man.
"CoIngtor" gasped the man.
Then his eyes narrowed
What the devil are you doing
here" he demanded
"Sit down" suggested Monte
''I want 10 have a little talk with
you"
II was physical weakness that
forced Hamilton 70 obey Monte
drew up a chair opposite him.
Now" he said quietly. tell me
just what il is you want Of Miss
Stockton"
What business is that Of yours7"
demanded Hamilton nervously.
Monte was silent a moment.
Here AZ the start was the question
Marjory had anticipated-the ques
tion that might have caused him
some embarrassment had il not
been so adequately provided for
in the last few moments
Miss Stockton and I are old
friends" he answered
"Then-she has told you1"
she gave me 10 believe you
made a good deal Of an ass OF
yourself this morning" nodded
Monte.
Hamilton sank back Imply in
his chair
u did" he Rroaned. "Oh, my
God. did"
"All that business ~ waving a
pistol I didn't think you wcr.
that much Of a cub, Hamilton
"She drove me mad. ! didn't
know what ! was doing"
On lust what way do YOU blame
her. inquired Monte
"Shc wouldn't believe me- ex-
claimed Hamilton saw IL in
her eyes couldn't make her DE