The Washington times., 1918-05-22
E AND MYSTERY

aliairs- very possibly ahe had been
some minutes.N
Lillian was he arst 70 recover
his self possession.
AIRS. -PanEbourne." she cried In
diEnantly. "ths is an intrusion.
wholly unjustified. Ny servants
had no right 10 admit you
Il told the maid who opened tbs
door that you expected me. and that
] would walk straight up. said
Violet She was trembling with ex-
citement. though she did her best
10 control her voice. Her dress was
rich, but untidy; a coil OF dark hair
had become loosened over one of
her ears. Perhaps she was vaguely
conscious Of her appearance. for
she raised one hand to her head
as II 10 adjust the straggiing lock
The other hand ahe held behind her
back.
More Than safisfied.
Il meant to interrupt this pretty
seene.". she went on. I meant 70
satisfy myself" she painted as II
hardly able to speak the words q
II am satisfied"
Tweedledum was still laughing.
It seemed to Violet as II he was
laughing az her with intentional in
suit
4 heard" she gssped, 7 heard
how you spoke OF me. You cad, you
cur-how dare your
MY dear Violet" The man
stretched out his long legs and
ceased laughing. He rose and took
a step toward her She retreatsd
back into the doorway.
Don't come near me- she cried
Don't speak TO me You are ev-
erything that is bad You have de-
ceived me grossly-iied TO me, and
now have heard how you can in
suit me. I shall never see you
again-thank heaven. there Is no
need. But I'm glad I found you out
that I know you as you are I've
suspected you Of this low intrigue,
but I had no proof tilI today"
~This intrigues' lillian started
up from her sofa She had not
realized fully that II was OF her
that Violet was jealous
"She thinks I'm in love with you
Lillian Tweedledum began 70
laugh again. isn't II funny
ITS not true. Mrs. Pangbourns.-
cried Lillian, now excited in her
turn. You're making a horrible mis-
take: there's nothing between 1r.
Tweedledum and myself except that
he has provided me with money
which he owes me. Yes and which
you owe me, too. swear tkat you
are wrong"
Leaves In Disgust.
81 have eyes to See said Violet.
acidiy. when a man sits by your
side and holds your hsnd-5shGwi
what need is there OF talkinE-
She turned as II TO get away.
"But7-began Lillian
"Oh. what's the good Of worrying.
LiIlian?'' growIed Tweediedum. let
her think what she pleases. I
broke with her last night Let her
60" s--
Mrs. PanEbourne hesitate
ment as II to speak age
changing her mind. she al---.igi8d
down the stairs. TWeedledum and
Lillian stood listening TO the uneer-
tain footsteps without exchanging
a word Presently the door slam
med, rumbling OF wheels in the
street. Violet had driven on.
There's an end Of her" TWee-
dledum punctuated his word with an
oath, directed against the woman
NuOAu hG Hku OuEt 4UNE4s
How dared sheg' Lillian was
still painting with indiEnation. TO
put such an inferance upon my re-
lations with you, To come into my
house and force her way upstairs
Oh, why did I let her go so meas
ny?"
at was no use talking Twee-
dledum was very glad that Violet
had gone. He had dreaded a wotdy
war between the two women. she
won't trouble US any more, Lillian,
and I can do very well without her.
I saw Angela last night. and nrac-
tically hxed up everything with her
people. That's one reason why I
was so pleased this morning. And
you-you've got your ten thousand
all you could ever expect to have
got from her-sO there's no reason
for either OF US to worry
The Money Disappears.
Lillian had advanced. as she spoke
to the table upon which he had
thrown the notes on his arrival
Suddenly. she interrupted him with
a sharp cry.
What is the matter?- Tweedls-
dunn was by her side in a moment
The notes-where are they?
Man and woman gazed blankiy
at each other.
did you pick them up-befors
you drew your chair up to my
sofa@' cried Lillian. "Are they not
in your pocket"
NO. ] left them on the table,
He felt. with conscious futiiity. in
his pockets. As he did 50 he kept
muttering to himself
Don't make the noise" zasped
Lillian. Have you not got them
Not must be" He stopped.
and broke out into a torrent of
oaths.
"Oh. you fool you fool." Lillian
was beside herself with rage. You
left them there within her reach
She must have seen them the mo-
ment she came into the room. No
wonder she was anxious 10 get
away. She took them before we even
knew OF her presence. Ny God
what am ] 20 do"
Tweedledum made no immediate
answer The blood had rushed to
his face; il appeared bloated and
horrible. He continued to muttor
foul Oaths.
"Oh, stop, swearing. cried LII
liam at last. That won't help US.
What am I TO do"
I'M n FH...Gs..,,,.l U.-,.---.N