Evening star., 1919-03-02

where" she added. 'both my
parents died.''
FAN orphan--and no reiations' Per.
Maps you are one Of those independent
New York bachelor girls We read
&houtr
VI live with an aunt. We have an
&partment-~iust a little box Of q
thing
sTndeed. Would It be presuming
too much on Jacks friendship If !
flight call upon you and your aunt?'
Aunt Isabel and / viii be pleased
to have yo,i." she returned evenly
'"rhank you. If you VIII find out
yust when 1t VIII be most convenient
tor her; ana an lie, let me know through
,rlifford had to admire the oomposure
With which she carried herself
through this polite but dangerous
ipquisit ition--every instant OF which,
he saw, was an almost unbearabie
strain upon the suspense-ridd Jack.
But by her invention OF an aunt,
which had opened the way for pro
posal to call, he felt that she might
have made d fatal slip. But there
YES no telling; 1t looked bad, yes
Bpt she had a faculty, a gift for
smoothly extricating herself from the
worst Of situations.
Before this cross-examfnat!on could
proceed further, little Peter Loveman
appeared at the table. Clifford in
stantly surmised the shrewd little
lawyers motive: he had witnessed the
scene, and. knowing its dangers to
there could be exposure and explosion,
fPardon me- for breaking in on your
party, Mr., Morton" he said, with his
big aniability, but some facts pst
eafne to my knowledge which, as your
lawyer. feel you ought to know at
Htll right, I was Just leaving, any.
hoM Jack, I've been wanting to see
you all day--it's really very important,
! wonder II Miss Gilmore would for.
s sIye dy,fgo;ra,a dySS; ana us II we left her with
IT had bsen scene that had almost
crhmpled Jack. MARY saved the situa-
tion for him by speaking promptly.
,aI5 viii be quite all right, Mr. Mor'
"To pay the check with" Jack
mumbled huskiIy, pushing a bank note
beside Clifford's plate.
The next moment Clifford and Mary
were alone. She gazed across at him
very steadily. not speaking. Her
breath came with q slight, fiuttering
irregularity, and her face had taken
much the stress Of the last few min
utes had taxed her She glanced, about
the table for q prief space, then her eyes
came back TO him.
I'D like to go up to my apartment
she said Quietly.
Clifford paid the bill and escorted
her out Of the great, glittering room.
Near the row Of elevators she halted
and faced him.
what was In your mind a while
ago when you started to tell Jack and
me not to register here together
overlook that. forgot for the mo-
not again interfefe in your affairs
Please tell me what was in your
mind" she quietly insisted.
First q sll. ! vas surprised that
York-so soon."
"Why?n
Something similar to what has Just
happened was bound to happen If you
appeared In New York openly together
--on1y 1t might have been a great deal
worse: And that worst thing would.
had registered. / Thought you would
have considered this danger.p
Il had thought Of 1t, yes--that Is.
before today, But today so much was
happening to met was all so sud
asn..rthat afn.r in,nss e, day ! was thinking Of
He looked at her sharply, sudden
}eapine at his heart. Was he in any
way concerned in those other things?
But he put the question from him.
Abruptly he obeyed an impulse that
had been growing In him. May
break my promise to the extent of tell
ing you of few matters2"
. please do
You have chosen your own way"
straight into her dark eyes, but
well. after all, want you to make
the best of 1t for yourself These few
facts--perhaps you know them already
may help You. First, and ! say this
without any personal prejudice to
Jack. Jack has the reputation of caring
for many women often rather than for
one woman long. Second, largely for
business reasons, Mr., Morton desires
X to have Jack marry d girl from Chi
cago. Third, this girls parents will
not consider such a marriage until
Jack has proved that he has settled
down; therefore, 1t naturally is Mr..
Morton's dominating desire at present
& that Jack should become a steady busi-
4 ness man. He'd like to have Jack en-
ter the New York offices Of his firm.
That Is all. If you think these mat
fers over. perhaps you will see way
In which they may serve you"
Perhaps l shall. Thank you" She
moved to the elevators. and stood
silent until car opened. Good
night" she said, and stepped inside.
Good night" he returned.
He stood an instant after her car