The Dolores star., 1919-06-27
CHAPTER vII-continued.

-
Leila said nothing. but thought hard.
Bayard was silent. Later the door-bell
rang and young sewing girl brought
two big boxes from Dutilh's. They
were so big that there was no conceal
ing them. Leila made timid effort to
escape with hers. but Bayard was full
of a cheerful curiosity:
whats all that, honey7"
"Oh, it's Just IA little thing !
picked up today at Dutilh's."
"What is 1t, scarf or something7
Give n fellow look Mt it."
He began to unite the knot. Sealed
across the cord was an envelope. with
statement. Baynrd tore it free.
Leila snatched at 1t. Bayard laughed
and lodged her. Leila pursued. 1t
was CHASTITY game Of tag for her. and
Daphne and her mother looked on in
guilty dread. Bnyard, whooping with
laughter, dashed into his room and
closed the door. held 1t fast while Leila
pounded and pleaded with him.
His laughter was quenched sharply.
There was silence. He opened the
door and walked out, sickly pallor at
his lips, the statement in his hand:
This can't be right, honey: 'Bayard
Kip to Dutilh, debtor. Peach-blow
satin gown-two hundred and seventy
i've dollars The price is ridiculous,
and have no account there"
"He-he insisted on my opening
one"
But I don't want to open any &C.
counts. pay my bills in thirty days
or discount them for cash. can't pay
this in thirty days. Every penny I
can see ahead of me Is laid out"
lin SORRY" Leila faltered. "You
said the times were getting better"
81 thought they were. hoped they
were. But they've gone bad again. Be-
sides, I was trying to cheer you up,
to give you happy honeymoon. And
bought you everything you saw
abroad. And 1t wasn't enough! When
Will you get enough clothes"
Leila had stared incredulous at the
calamltous result of her tender i'm
pulse to beautify herself In his eyes.
Then tears came gushing and she ran
to lar room and locked the door.
Bayard did not follow her. He
.urned for comfort to his mother and
Daphne. He noted the other box.
Daphne had not dared to open 1t.
Bayard ripped the envelope from its
cord and read:
"Bayard Kip to Dutllh, DIR. Parch-
mentioned gown. for Miss Daphne
Kip, two hundred and seventy-five dol
lars"
lie was aforementioned himself as
ne shook the statement at Daphne,
and whispered, huskily. "What's this7"
Daphne could not muster any cour-
'ge. She explained with craven re-
morse, Il saw gown that II needed
there. and IL He offered to let 1t
on your account till l could get the
money"
bayard was choked with wrath and
terror greater than hers.
go to my office and work like a
Mend all day, and come home to find
mat my wife and my sister have run
ne into debt for-five hundred and
atty dollars. And the firm, the big
nrhl work for, had to extend note
ior seven hundred and fifty because
We couldn't meet It'll"
Ills mother tried to stem the tide of
hayard'S rage, to turn his wrath with
soft answer:
i guess it's all my fault, honey. The
dresses looked SO pretty on the girls I
urged them to take them. You ought
V see how beautiful they are. Go put
,ne dress on, Daphne, and let your
'rosier see how sweet you look in It,"
Sweet She looks sweet in it I It's
peautifull And that justifies anything.
Lord whit did you make 'em out Of,
these womenl"
Mrs. Kip nudged Daphne and whis-
pered' Go on, put the dress on let
hiln see you in it."
she spoke with great cannlness, but
oaphne stared at her with derision,
"u edged away and spoke In tone
piting as cold blue vitriol.
y, rut 1t on. mother! 10 you think
~ ever wear the thing3 I'll send it
x AZ tomorrow morning at daybreak.
ld Ill never take a thing that any
ah pays for a. long as I live"
Sard reared at her over his shout
' HeN won't take anything .thst