Evening star., 1919-02-23

OF him or, by God, III blow your
dam face on"
clifford saw Bradleys flaming lit
tie eyes shift toward the speaker
xrhcn he saw the monk-like fgure
shift the pistol from jaw to Bradley's
shoulder.
NO. lin not KIN you; IN splinter
your dam bones" the sharp voice
cried with fierce decision. Get off
that man before / count three. or
your left armll be the first bone 70
so. One--tWo--
The hands left Clfford's throat. and
the heavy figure lifted itself from his
body; and, thus freed, Clifford slump
ed to the fioor where he sat Imply,
pantingly. against the table. Love
man had stepped around the table.
looking up at Bradley, and he saw
that the cherubic. large eyed face of
the lawyer was grim with an awful
wrath
You dam big boob" cried the lit
tie man. You'd let Sourself-and
me'-~in for a criminal charge And
people have always said you have
brain!'
i've taken all can from him
Bradley said, thickly.
Either you control your temper
and cut out the rough stuff" snapped
I.oveInan. "or YOU and are through"
The pair gazed fiXedly at each other
neither spoke. W ME lheA SlODh
silent. Clifford became aware of the
Japanese butler his back toward the
three of them and seemingly un-
aware OF their doings. on his knees
picking up bottles and broken glass
and toweling up the spilled liquor
from the rug.
Without replying. Bradley put his
hands in his trousers pockets, resumed
his chair and crossed his legs. With
an easy motion Ioveman dropped the
pistol into pocket of his dressing
gown, and stepped to clifford's side.
He was again the agreeable man
about town that Broadway liked so
we'll.
'"roo bad--but natural--the way
men viii lose their tempers.' he said,
as he helped clifford to his feet and
inio a chair. How're you feeling"
'I'il be all right In a breath or two
Better let me give you a brandy
NO. thanks"
"Aw, it's nothing" cut in Bradley.
Let him finish saying how he was
going to stop u.s."
DO YOU feel like that--yet?' Love
man quericd, soiicitiously.
clifford was still da2ed. but he was
no less Set in his purpose. "Bradley's
right q lille scuffie like that is moth
ing"
Good a great thing to be in train
ing" Loveman sank into his chair,
smiling urbanely We've forgotten
w NAV happened, ana lie DluSneu the
matter into Oblivion with a pleasant
wave Of the hand that two minutes
before bad gripped the pistol. "As |
was about to remark--granting that
YOU are right, how are you going to
stop it?'
of course | could stop it," said Clif-
ford, by telling Jack and Mr.. Morton
about Mary Regan. and her father,
and her uncle. and her brother At
amy rate, that would smash your
game"
AS you say. provided. of course.
That would stop ill.," Loveman agreed.
pleasantly. why don't you do that :"
considering the character of the
Mortons and the fact that she's more
her seems TO me pretty raw deal to
give Mary ReRan--to show her up to
them, and give the father. who's as
sympathetic s a shark. chance to
take the lead. break ii off, make "A
scandal out of il and to humiliate her
in public"
That's dam delicate Of YOU. Cliff
ford, said Loveman, and | approve
or your sentiments as gentleman.
But IT you don't do that, how else are
YOU going to stop it?"
Clifford spoke calmly I'm going
to stop it through you"
Through me, Well, we'll, DO you
mind telling me. Clifford just how |
am going TO 90 ii =
Nou have some influence over Mary
Regain | don't pretend to know what
1t is You go to her tomorrow and
YOU tell her, saying whatever is
necessary to bring her around. that
she cant go through with the mar
riage. Then she breaks ii off and
not the Mortons--and they'll not be
any the wiser about her"
Well, well, you certainly do seem
to think | have very strong iufiu-
ence with the ladies'" l.oveman said.
blandly. Very fatterlng | assure
YOU. But supposine--all we've been
talking about is mere supposition
YOU know--supposing | have a mild
disinciiDation to do what you pro-
pose"
''Supposing thai " clifford returned
erimly. then go to Mr.. Morton, tell
him about Mary Regan, and tell him
the whole thing was your plan. And
nell believe what ] say about you.
Loveman; I've merely got to remind
him that YOU suggested Pine Noun
tain Lodge, prove to him that you
knew Mary Regan was there. prove
to him that you've been seeing Mary
Regan in New York, and he'll swallow
everything eSe. Result, the present
scheme of YOU and Bradley goes
smash. and, further. you lose all flu
ture business with your best pa wing
client"
Surprising. on the other hand"
!.oNemsn remarked in his same bland
voice, that ] have no dlsinclination
TO do what YOU suggest
In that case, YOU only lose out
on your present plan. I'm not in