Evening star., 1919-03-09
of Mary Regan

But as she passed through a hallway
on the main floor, she elimpsed a
square figure behind "a newspaper
Bradley. She went on without pause
and slipped into the Japanese room.
SO Bradley, too. had learned of her
whereabouts.
Ten minutes later Mr. Morton en-
tered looking as sprucely young as
flfty can look. smiling admiration in
the gray eyes that Were more accus-
toned to a gaze of autocrstic com
mand. Mary had previously placed
herself at the table so that she could
see into the larger room without be-
Ing seen, and during the pre1imlnaries
of their conversation her main fac
uIties were surreptitiouSly directed
beyond the hanglngs. Presently she
saw i.oveman enter the larger room.
lustinctively she knew Loveman had
followed Mr.. Morton here, to keep
close watch over what he did and
what might develop, After her scene
that morning with Ioveinan. she
knew he would strike the instant he
saw she was falling, or thought she
was about TO fail. LoVeman and
Bradley--her seemingly simple plan
certainly was growing complicated!
And then a little later she saw Cliff
ford enter. Her heart skipped few
beats: so, then. he was watching her,
as she had expected, What might he
intend doing? Well. what
ever it might be. she would go
straight ahead.
Presently she had to give more heed
to Morton. for he was touching upon
things that were vitally personal.
Let me again applaud the discretion
you showed In your affair with Jack
Mrs. Gardner he was saying. And
again let me compliment you on your
sensible attitude when YOU saw the
affair had to be broken Off"
Thank YOU"
''BgIunO raferrippf To no
money side of things" he went on.
Il was prepared to meet whatever
you had in mind-but Mr.. Clifford has
reported to me that you would accept
no ttlement. ! dosnot quite under
stand"
II did not enter into the affair with
Jack expecting to be bought Off" she
replied.
no more on the subject There is
one thing that has surprised me
bit. though. in so discreet woman
as YOU are, Mrs. Gardner: that is.
your coming to the very hotel at
which Miss Jones is staying"
"it is the hotel at which usually
stop"
u was merely thinking that your
being under the same roof might lead
to some unexpected happening that
would let Miss Jones iearn--you un-
derstand. But YOU are very sensible
and careful"
He leaned ever the little table.
And now let's talk about YOU and
me. he said softly. What is your
answer"
MY answer she evaded.
To my suggestion that we explore
more amiable climate--together."
Her back was against the wall. I'D
rather not have to answer.
But your mind is made up?"
She hesitated. Yes" she admitted
But I'd rather not speak-not just
now"
why not?"
There may develop complications;
complications which | can't now eX-
plain
But at least" he urged cant you
give me hint of what your answer
viii be. IL complications do not in
terfere?"
She thought rapidly He was press
ing her hard from one direction. and
outside sat Loveman, a danger from
another direction, Watching, her,
ready 10 expose and destroy her at
the slightest sign of failure. or the
two she lust then feared l.oy eman
the more, She had to put Morton Off.
she had TO have some weapon against
lovemau.
An idea flashed into her brain
desperate idea. but she was now
PLAYING a desperate game.
wv ont YOU please give me Il hint"
he insisted.
Well she said, with the sir of
one consentng. here is II PROPOSE
ton that may sound to YOU absurd
but then Il woman Is supposed to he
irrational For my own reasons |
cant now tell YOU what my answ er
is, but III write IL out in Il letter
and give il to YOU if ynn'll promise
not TO read il until YOU have my
permission. That way youll always
have my answer with you may
telephone or telegraph YOU when I'm
81 promise, he agreed
Then III write it here" she said
The waiter brought heavy sta
tonery, and With Mr.. Morton's foun-
tain pen she began to write. He
watched her closely until he was GER
tain she was engrossed in her note.
then stealthily lie possessed himself
OF her handbag which she had left
upon third chair beside the table.
This he cautiously opened and into
II he slipped an envelope which he
took from his pocket. Then he closed
the bag and returned il TO its place.
Mary Finished her letter. thrust IL
into an envelope. which she sealed.
This she held tentatively above the
table.
on your honor as a gentleman YOU
promise not To open this until give
YOU the wordH'
"Promiseg ] Sweari
And YOU promise not TO try TO be
too friendly until | give you the
word"
"Thst comes hard but | promise
that. too
She held out the sealed envelope.