Williams news., 1916-04-13
PARROT B C0.
(Continued)

answer. So 1 came to you. Passing through your hands, no one will ques- tion it. Will you do this favor for a poor unfortunate devil?"
 Oddly enough, the other could not get away from his original impression. The clothes, the way the man wore them, the clarity of his eyes, the abun- dant health that was expressed by the tone of the skin, derided such pos sibility as the cablegram made mani fest.
 He forced the smile back to his lips. Are you sure you're not hoaxing me?"
 ''No. I am the victim of the hoax" enigmatically. ''If one may call the quirks of fate by the name of hoax" the stranger added. will you send ft?"
 The years he had spent in the con- sular service had never brought before him situation of this order. He did not know exactly what to do. He looked out of the window, into the ho- tel court, at the sky which presently would become overcast with the daily rain clouds. By and by he remem- bered the man waiting patiently at his elbow.
 What is your name?"
 "I'd rather not give that until l hear from New York. I am known out here by the name of Warrington"
 Warrington. The puzzlement van ished from the older mans, face, and his eyes became alert, renewing from another angle their investigation of the stranger. Warrington. So this was the man? He could understand now. Who could blame girl for mak- ing mistake when he, seasoned vet eran, had been beguiled by the out ward appearance of the man? Mallow was right. He was handsome beg gar.
 q promise to send this upon one condition"
 q accept without question" ,"' readily.
 "It is that you must keep away from Elsa Chetwood, now and hereafter. You made her acquaintance under false pretenses."
 q deny that. Not under false pre- tenses." How quickly things went about! Let me tell you how I met her."
 The consul general listened; he lis tened with wonder and interest, and more, with conviction that the young man had been perfectly honest. But the knowledge only added to his grow ing alarm. It would not be difficult for such a man to win the regard of any young woman.
 And you told her what you had done?"
 Yes"
 "Your first misstep?" touching the cablegram.
 My first and only misstep. was The sky outside also had attraction for Warrington. A thousand times fool!
 How long ago did this happen?"
 "Ten years this coming April.%
 And now, after all this time, you wish to go back?"
 q have wished to go back many times, but never had money enough. I have plenty now. Oh, I made it hon. estly," smiling. Tn oil, at Prone. Here's cutting from a Rangoon pa per-"
 The other read it carefully. It was romance, romance such as he liked to read in his books, but which was mighty bewildering to have at his elbow in actuality. What a life the man must have led! And here he was, with no more evidence of the conflict than might be discerned in the manliness of his face and the breadth and depth of his shoulders. He dropped the cutting, impatiently.
 Don't you believe it?"
 Believe it? Oh, this? Yes," an swered the consul general. What I cannot believe is that I am awake. I cannot quite make two and two equal four. I cannot . We'll, you do not look like man who would rob his employer of eight thousand dollars. Parrot & Co. It's odd, but I recollect that title. You were at Udaipur during the plague" Warrington frightened 50 that's got about? I happened to be there, working on the princess railway"
 '1 will send the cable at once. You will doubtless hear from New York in the morning. But you must not see Miss Chetwood again"
 You will let me bid her good-by admire and respect her more than any other woman. She does not know it, for as yet her soul is asleep; but she is one of those few women God put on earth for the courage and com fort of man. Only to say good-by tc her. Here in this office, if you wish.
 T agree to that"
 Thank you again." Warrington rose.
 'I am genuinely sorry for you. | they say no, what will you do?"
 ''Go back just the same. I have an other debt to cancel"
 Gall in the morning. I'll let yor know what the charges are."