The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-18

|
shoulders nervously while she spoke;
now she suddenly buried her face in
her hands and burst into tears.
Mr.. Beck's composure vanished in a
moment He could n,ver bear to See
. woman cry. He iumjed rom Ills
chair, set the weeping girl in it and
bent over her. mumbling soothingly in
kindly. awkard attempt to comfort
her. 1t was like a big Newfoundland
dog fondling a small child.
Mamie kept on crying bitterly, part
ly because she wanted to. partly be-
cause she was one of the few women
who look well II tears. but mainly be-
cause she knew It was the most effec-
| tive method with Mr.. Beck
Suddenly Mr.. Beck turned his back
on her and proceeded to fix a lump of
sugar between the bars of his canary's
cage, chipping the while.
| A lovers ears, we know on high au-
thority. will hear the slightest sound.
But Mr.. Beck's ears were more than
human, and 1t was he. not Mamie, who
heard that quick. light step on the
thick carpet of the stairs
The next moment there came an i'm
patient knock at the door. Mamie
! jumped from her seat, the sobs ceas-
| ing suddenly.
Come I'M" cried Mr. Beck. ". bout
Ice king around.
Mr.. Beck was more awkward than
usual. 1t was a long minute beior {
h. succeeded in fixing the lump Ct
sugar to his liking. When at last he
did look around Mamie was radiant,
though a tear still trembled on her
round cheek like a dewdrop on a wild
rose-leaf
tall. handsome young fellow stood
close beside her. looking down upon
her smiling face with love and longing
in his blue-black eyes.
''Well?" said Mr.. Beck. after a
pause. for they looked shyly at him
without speaking.
"Oh, It's all right" cried Give Mer-
edith, cheerily. Uncle Marmaduke
limited as much to me today. I knew
1t would be all right when I took Ma
rnie to see him. He fell in love with
her, of course. straight away"
Il don't trust him." broke In Mamie.
Hes an old hyporite. He has some
trick in his head. You know he wants
money. Clfve-you told me that your
self. and there are ugly stories about
him. Tell Mr.. Beck what you told ma
SIR"
We'll" said Give reluctantly, It's not
his fault, you know. II he Is hard I'D,
and of course he Is dunned and all
that A fellow came about six months
ago-an impudent chap. I was out at
the time. but he forced his way into
the study where uncle was and insist
ed on payment. 1t was a big thing
more than a thousand. I believe-and
uncle paid him and received a receipt.
But the man swore that uncle's check
was only a blank. He brought an ac-
ton and told his story in court But
he had to admit on DISCRIMINATION
he saw my uncle fill in the check and
sign 1t. That settled the case. The
| Judge gave him a dressing down he's
not likely to forget and the jury found
a verdict for the defendant, and-well,
that's the whole story.
where does your uncle live, Mr.
Meredith" asked Mr.. Beck, apropos
of nothing.
In my home-that Is in Park Lane
but don't see what"
| of course you can't see," broke in
the irrepressible Mamie. but your
uncle sees Clearly enough under the
win. It's throwing away both to give
his consent to our marriage. Now,
ask you, is that likely, Mr.. Beck?'
| But I don't mean to get married
until have his consent in writing I'M
der his own hand" Give retorted
hotly.
Can't you wait Just a little longer,
Mr.. Meredith" Mr.. Beck asked bland
1y.
DO you can two years Just q little?'
cried Give impatiently.
i only a year and a half" murmur-
ed Mamie under her breath.
Two weeks will be enough, I think, !"
said Mr.. Beck, IF you do what tell
you"
Give beamed deligtedly. Tn entire
ly at your service. Mr.. Beck"
Tn the first place. can you give me
the name of the man who swore he
saw your uncle sign the check that
had no signature? I want to have a
word with him"
Yes. TIL send it without fail by
to-night's post"
That's settled. Your uncle has a
private study of his own in Park Lane.
I suppose7
Yes. and a Club lock and latch
key for the door,
so I fancied. I think you said he
writes good deal?"
The young fellow laughed "Oh. he
writes a lot of articles for the maya
zines and reviews. but they never get
IN There was one accepted years ago
and he has written hundred at least
on the strength of that and gives him.
self airs as a literary man."
There Is gas in his study. sup
poser"
Give nodded, surprised at the ques-
lion.
do you know where he keeps hi,
check bcck?
No" said Give. II did suppose n
his desk II. his study"
Nor who is his gas ntter7"
Carver and Picton. But really, Mr.
Beck. = cont see what all this has tt
4 dc with"
Mr.. Beck continued quite placidly
without noticing his protest in IN,