Evening star., 1919-03-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
How Maisie Jones Reacted.

CHAPTER XVIII.
How Maisie Jones Reacted.
Mr.. Morton turned upon Mary the
instant Jack and Maisie Jones were
out.
"'Mrs. Gardner, how much did Miss
Jones learn or guess about you and
JACKIE he demanded sharply,
You saw the scene. you can draw
your own conclusions" replied Mary.
III you wish to know definitely. ]
suggest you ask Miss Jones'
YIN. She didn't seem to know Just
don't believe she suspected anything.
You carried it all off mighty well,-
Mrs. Gardner.--mighty we'll: in fact
you saved the situation. Loveman"
with sharp rebuke-"you damned
near spilled everything, trying to
blurt out your discovery before Miss
Jones'"
That's once l didn't stop to think"
apologized Loveman.
Then suppose you excuse yourself
and do some thinking outside. want
few words with Miss Gimore--beg
pardon, Mrs. Gardner / should say"
"But-first I'd like a few words
with Mr.. Loveman," said Mary
"'alone."
She stepped out into the corridor
ahead OF Loveman, walked a few un-
steady PAGES. and turned a corner.
This corridor was empty. She
What did YOU want to see me
about. Mary?' the little lawyer asked
nervously.
81 didn't want to see you--1 wanted
u nf hut
I've been through"
She leaned dizzily against the wall.
and breathed like a runner al the end
of race. The situation she had just
full strength: but her mind went on to
dangers yet ahead. That girl with the
marriage certificate in her hand--she
had held back because she was wait
ing better time. and more effective
method. to strike, And when she
doubt of that. MarN>wondered in what
form of cold fury the girls natural
feminine vindictiveness would express
itself.
man was still waiting beside her.
81 guess ] didn't quite get the situa-
tion when ! broke in on that scene
awhile ago. the little man began
apologetically. Il thought it was all
as well save myself If l could"
'T know, she said wearily. And
then vigor came into her voice and
bearing. But don't forget this Peter
Loveman--if you ever try to cross me
again I'll finish YOU off with Mr. Nor
ton just as ] said--even though l fin
ish myself. too"
That's never going to happen.
Mary. the little man said propitiat-
Ingly. AND remember, Mary. what
said to you this morning-that if this
affair gives any sign of going wrong
Just privately leave your end of IT
with me--and after that let me man
age you-and there's nothing I can't
do with you. Nothing!'
She regarded him absently-al-
though the vision hts words had Gre
ated registered itself in her subcon-
scious mind as something that might
come to pass In the future. Without
re-entered her apartment. Beside her
door she came to sudden pause
Bending over her desk was MI Morton
intently working over something which
moment she knew. Mr.. Morton had
recotered from the waste basket her
torn letter and was fitting it's frag-
ments together.
Instantly she was across the room
you mustn't do that!" she exclaimed.
reaching swiftly for the letter.
He easily warded off her clutching
hand. She struggled to possess the
fragments. But he was too powerful
man for her to contest with on equal
physical terms and she dared not cry
out--so after moment she gave up.
Really, Miss Gilmore. you know
you can't trust II mans curiosity too
far" he said coolly, though pleasantly;
and holding her two wrists in
powerful. yet gentle, grip. he read the
torn letter through.
He looked up. His face was with,
out expression.
"And So Miss Gilmore--this is your
confession?'
She nodded.
And also your answer to my sug-
aestton about our little cruiser"
Again she nodded.
So" He turned back to the ragged
mosaic OF heavy notepaper. and slowly
he read aloud:
can no longer keep my secret
from YOU. l arm really q married
woman. Further, my husband Is very