The Carlisle independent., 1918-04-25
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey
 Company
CHAPTER xIx-continued.

"She's enga ed to Bopp," protested feebly.
 .'To make you angry" she whispered. T can't talk to you any more because Ned is getting red behind his ears. That means that he is fearfully jeal- ous. I must run along and be scolded. Think it over."
 She skipped blithely to the side of her soon to be lord and master (may- bel, smiling into his face with a look so childlike and ingratiating that Othello would have eaten the bolster himself had he been in Blaney's shoes. Mrs. Green halted the procession.
 'f can't go without Lucille"
 "Mr. Blainey will explain it to Lu- cile," Vida assured her, taking my ac- quiescence for granted. You see, need you terribly because 1 have no other woman friend with me. My own mother'-her lips Quivered.
 I'm sorry," said Mrs. Green. "Has she been dead long?"
 She isn't dead, but she's ii stock company in St Louis."
 You really ought to go to the main land," said, thinking to help matters out, fin order to bring back some clothes for Lucille"
 "What's that?" Mrs. Green turned Hasn't she any clothes on?"
 Certainly" Vida hopped into the breach surefootedly, "she has plenty of clothes on, but they would not be suitable for her to wear to go over to the mainland and register at hotel"
 Vida spoke the truth almost as con- vfncingly as she lied. | Please come," she urged. "I'n go," decided the older woman.
 Fortunately she forgot that her own costume was a trifie bizarre for morning wedding, even in Fair View. conducted the company to the dock and saw that they were made as com fortable as possible in the Merry Widow.
 Bill" commanded, ''get that row boat that MT. Blaney rowed oyer in and tie 1t on behind the Merry Wtd- ow."
 departed for the summer house, vaguely wondering if I could silence the reporter without using chloroform. When entered the summer house hs eyed me with a cold gleaming sort of hate, that made me think of Italian daggers or Malay krisses.
 "If let you go," began the barley, ''how much will you take to shut up and not ask any questions?'
 Nothing doing" he declared without besitation. ''I'm going to get you and Pm going to get you good"
 That's all right" I conciliated. You can get me just as soon as you like, but all I ask is that you do nothing to in- jure some perfectly harmless people" He looked at me keenly.
 "You're not the caretalker here, as thought, are you?'
 "Why, mo-" replied modestly, mot in a professional way anyhow.
 "Who are your His newspaper In. stinct made him put the usual ques- tions in spite of his dislike.
 I'm just guest" said.
 sI know, but where shall 1 find you If you dare meet me when we get of this island and my hands aren't tied? Whats your nan1e?"
 You can find me any time you like In the editorial rooms in the New York Planet, and my name is Biainey."
 Mot Montmorency Blainey, the dra- matic critic2' E "That's the one" l was grati1ed that my fame had spread so far.
 saThey say" quoted the reporter, ssthat you are the worst dramatic critic in New York"
 'That is an enviable distinction" murmured, ''in place where they are SO numerous and bad"
 "What mean is that you are the most severe. If play gets praise from you it's sure of success"
 "Well, hardly that" explained. "l have picked good many winners that's all"
 The young man looked up at me.
 i've written play" he announced. "Only one?'' asked with simulated interest. Almost every person in the United States has written one play To attain distinction you must meas ure your dramatic achievements by the bushel"
 'But mine is different
 "Yes? Wherein lies the differenceT Mine is going to be produced
 'That may or may not be an advan- tage.''
 with your help it is going to be an advantage"
 How is that?" inquired politely. with sinking premonition of what my part was going to be.
 When the play is produced you are going to hail it as the great American play of the century. No matter if the other critics condemn it, they will qual- fly their criticism when they note you enthusiasm. They will go again ane. discover subtle merits that escaped