Evening star., 1919-03-16

duu tIl0u buuOeHly MS StTOHe, WOTIuIy
face softened into a smile.
MY dear, what little fool you are!
This 10 nothing to make such fuss
about. Your being married doesn't
necessarily make the slightest differ
ehce to me--and I'm sure the Carib-
and that the moonlight will be just as
soft. The yacht viii be ready next
Thursday"
He tried to slip an arm about her.
But she evaded him, and spoke quietly.
But my husband is now in New
''Oh. the DEVIL" And then he smiled
again. But I'm sure a woman Of
your Quickness of mind can invent an
excuse that viii take care OF your
husband You can trust that my end
will all be managed quietly"
Again she avoided an attempted em-
brace. But he Is now in this hotel
and he knows I'm here-and he's 10
Jealous ,-
THE DEVIL" This time he did not
smile. THAT is some complication!
fHs Hs ssoasn sSehy Eeua sstsr
move from this hotel to some place
where you will not be SO easily under
his eye. Anyhow, I was going to sug-
gest your moving on account OF Miss
Jones. Being this close to her, she
might any time stumble on to--you
know, between you and Jack"
I'm going to move tonight" she
agreed, her mind all on how she was
going to rid herself of him, and yet
not offend him.
Good! Now; as toke" an and sea seal Of
ward her with pursed lips.
She checked him with the thrust of
a stiffened arm. Not now"
Some day. then? And soon?"
She eyed him steadily. Sometime.
perhaps-if when that time comes you
still want to-"
He had no suspicion of what was In
her mind. He smiled.
"Oh, l shall want to! But don't set
the time too far"
The telephone on her desk began to
ring In relief at the interruption she
seized it--but the relief was gone as
she heard the voice that came over
the wire.
Yes. I'm alone" she replied into
the mouthpiece, "Ycu may see me
right away"
who was that" asked Morton as
she hung up.
My husband"
My cue for a quick exit. Remember,
my dear--he seized both her hands
we're going to have that little cruise
just the same. I'll give ORDERS
You must hurry" she interrupted.
While he had been speaking. she had
reached quickly behind her back.
opened a little drawer and thrust into
it her hand. You must hurry, she
repeated, and urgently pressed her
hands against him--and while doing
so she slipped the envelope contain-
ing the ten 1900 dollar bills into the
inner pocket Of his coat. go, please!
Good bye
The next instant he was gone.
Mary sank into a chair beside her
window. She had won thus far
thrnnph 7 har a ill. hnf wit
and will would serve her no further;
she was spent--utterly spent. What
was her eliminating scene, the seems
that would end her, lay just before
her, and for 1t she had neither
strength nor subterfuge nor courage.
She had fought. through sheer force
Of habit. to the end-and "a the End,
which was only moment ahead, she
had lost. SO she leaned back in her
chair. limp, her eyes closed.
But spent as she was she was suf-
ficiently alive for her curiosity to
Cured to her. Clifford had known of
her whereabouts. possibly of her pur-
pose. why had he not interfered?
Why?
= A minute or two passed. then she
became aware that some one had
entered and had crossed to her side.
She slowly opened her eyes. and
NSdi'iS a'oSe. IeSdIucu
Jones DULY, Indifferent to denuncia-
ton or threats or furious acts,
You 1elephoned YOU wished to see
me-" she said.
Maisie, very rigid and still gray Of
face. did not at once speak.
'Well?' prompted Mary.
II came to- tell you what intend
to do" said the other. and stopped
Go on. know just about how You
feel. and ! guess I'd doA about the
same. I'm prepared. so don't try to
break 1t easy to me-"
"Qf course" said the girl.---and
there was a catch in hey voice,-"of
course you know that I lA,e Jack"
Yes. I know" said May
II love him so we'll" continued the
girl. that | don't want to do any.
thing to hurt HIM" She swallow ed.
then drove herself on, her blue eyes
gazing straight into Mary's dark ones.
I'm going to be honest I'm not
doing this because it's easy: nor be-
cause | like you-l cant do that yet.
I'm doing 1t for---for Jack"
Doing WHAT" breathed Mary, sud-
denly bewildered.
I'm doing 1t because see you can
be more to Jack than can ever be-"
the girl went on. You're the sort Of
woman that can make man--yOu
proved that when you made Jack
steady down and go to work. l could
never have done that for Jack"
Mary could only stare.
And think II was big of you" the
voice went on now choked and
awed voice. ito try to save Jack by
sacrificing yourself by being willing