Evening star., 1919-03-09

eI'm not going to let my father,
or any one else, think OF you as my
mistress! I'm going TO tell him we're
married. And from now on every.
things going to be IN the Open"
She had never liked him more than
Just then. Whatever else he might
be in the future, she would never be
able TO forget him as he was at this
his highest moment--fren2ied, out
ragged. dominated by reckless impulse.
But she saw the danger to her
dreams I'm this attitude.
"Its fine of you to cay that, Jack,
but you must not do st."
why not?" he demanded.
She stroye to keep her reasoning,
soothing tone. ut ought to be plain
10 you, Jack. You are entirely de-
pendent on your father, Jf he were
told of our marriage--partictha
since he's 30 eager TO have you marry
that other girl---he'd be sure TO cut
you oft In every way, and I'm not
going to have that happen TO you
Within herself che was also saying
that if Mr.. Morton were told of the
marriage and IL she and Jack lived
in the open, father and son would
inevitably and swiftly learn who she
really was--and that would end
everything. I'VE must keep 1t all
QUIET Jack" she went on, and keep
on waiting, and after q time Wen
around. You leave 1t to me-"
His face had suddenly darkened at
mention of his father. What did
clifford offer you In my fathers be-
half, after we'd gomez" he demanded
abruptly.
"Mr. clifford told me that your
father would give me in settlement
any sum might mention"
And your reply to that?'
Il didn't make any reply. There
was none"
He'll expect reply. He'll come
for 1t himself. if necessary"
That's one. Teason for my NOV
was that all dad 6ffered?" Jack
demanded. you made a big hit with
him"
She thought It best that the inham-
mable youth should remain ignorant
of the fathers invitation, conveyed
by orchids each worth a banknote to
the supposedly disespoused mistress
or his son to join him In q very ex-
elusive cruise
That was all that happened" she
answered steadily.
Quickly, but without seeming haste.
ject, back to their difference. "Of
course. you agree, Jack" she pressed
him, that we must still keep things
quiet. and keep on waiting"
Ills desperate mood was instantly
back upon him again. Even IL we
cried-"why, you're forgetting Maisie
Jones! You're forgetting my pre-
dicament"
Your predicament?"
can't keep 1t quiet even If want
to! Don't you see? Now that I've
settled down into a steady business
man-your doing!-su parties are
M oh
once be formally engaged and then
be married in very short time
Fathers pushing it across as though
1t were big option that expired to-
There are only three things for me
to do. Run away from il all. in which
case dadll be done with me as long
as ne lives, Or say won't go through
win the thing with Maisie and give
no reasons--which means the same
result Or else come right out with
the truth that I'm married to you.
See my fix?'
Mary saw; and swiftly judging her
many-angled situation she saw that.
however pressing other matters might
De, TINS matter of the other girl Was
the frst business that must be some
now adjusted If she were to realize
her Vaulting dreams-if she were to
pass through the golden doors. Ana
as she perceived this, she had an in
OF gaining the worldly heights, which
had at the inception Of her plan
seemed so simple and easily achiev-
able, was every day becoming more
complicated, more tortuous Again
CliHord's grim words flashed briefly
back; I'll leave 1t to life to test YOU"
SO you see, / might just as well
come across with the truth about our
marriage" Jack exclaimed TITS the
best way out of the Ak"
Mary hardly heard him: she was
rapidly considering this new problem.
you've never told me how IL came
about, this arrangement with Miss
Jones"
'Oh. just the way such matters
usually happen. Maisie and have
known each other for a long time.
there's been a sort of unspokeu nm
derstanding in our families that some
day we'd get married--and l guess
fell right in with it. You see. I
rather like Maise, and I'd never
thought much about such affairs. and
IL didnt make much difference But
well, you know, | haven't been be-
having very well. and her people said
there'd be nothing doing unless
strengthened out. Since you've set IN e
to work and kept me working. they've
recalled their veto--aud it's ali right
with them. That's about the size of
the situation"
What's her attitude toward YOU?
"Maisies? | guess Maisie rather
likes me. In fact" he confessed,
though J don't deserve II, Maisie