Evening star., 1919-03-30

taut figure Of Mary Regan, and
a. her white, set face. It had cel tainly
been an hour to try her soul, that expe-
the Midnight Cafe.
To Clifford II seemed that all Mary's
shrewd scheming had brought her up
at last against an unsurmountable
wall. Again clifford wondered what
was passing behind that pale facci
wondered what was going to be tho
ending Of her great worldly plan,
Which thus far had had so many un-
dreamed-of developments; wondered
how all this tangled affair was going
dered which of the two persons he
knew In her was to be the dominant
Mary Regan when this matter had
played itself through to Its unguess-
able conclusion.
Tho taxicab halted. and Clifford es-
cortcd her to the door of her apart.
ment house.
you don't mind teiiingT he asked
II don't know yet-perhaps MOTH
Then. with quiet vigor:' Jacks
wha. 2ha e ho Plane is' rs rs ch,efiy nefs kiIss
fathers fault. wish could make
his father pay!" Her dark eyes fash.
apose su oss See Yes WIN am song
to make his father pay"
She held out her hand and gave him
4 steady look. AT any rate, ! want
Could sasn tor sSa eoodnisSt 1sa1a SfH' all you
He watched her in--this strange,
panfident young woman, so tangled
IN the web of her own spinning. whom
II q N IN q ty>o yoo ora1
ing, and whom, though she could now
haye no part In his life. he knew he
itill loved. But back in the. taxicab,
bis mind at ance was on another mat.
lurking within the doorway during
the end Of that scene In front of Le
Minuit. and he knew that keen little
lawyer was no man to give up merely
fact. Loveman would act all the more
quickly for Just that reason.
Clifford drove two blocks to the
south, q block west and a block north.
stepped out and walled north to the
next corner. He peered around this and
waited. Presently he saw what he
more than half expected to see
entrance Of Mary's apartment house.
lie saw him press Marys button, and
After q space saw Loveman push open
the door and enter
Clifford tried to guess what plan
the little lawyer, whose wiles he had
exposed to Mary only an hour before
Rt lie Minuit, could regard as so i'm.
portant that it had to be undertaken
# o'lock in the morning. without
the loss Of a single possible minute.
enter the house. and try to watch and
Overhear. but the chauffeur in Love-
mans waiting taxi might also be Love-
mans lookout and personal guard.
There was nothing for 1t but to wait
where he was and watch.
Within. up on tho fourth floor, Mary
stood outside her open door, looking
Gown into the dark, narrow stairway,
with its sharp turns and tiny landings.
When the dim, mounting figure started
Up the las fight and she saw 1t was
1Ioveman, she drew sharply back and
tried to close her door. But Loveman,
quick despite his plump figure, sprang
up the final steps and thrust his walk
ing stick into the closing aperture. He
tried to force the door with his shoul-.
der, but Mary's strength on the other
eide was fully equal to his own, and
the door did not bulge. He des!sted.
but kept the advantage held by his
walking stick.
Come, Mary. my dear, don't be so
crack in a pleasantly complaining
voice. You know, / wouldn't have
come at such an hour unless it was i'm
tortant;: And you know I'm your
The door did not msve.
This is raw way to treat your
Old nurse and playmate" complained
Ioveman.
"Particuarly when I've come to tell
you something that it. your business
TO know--something about Jack"
There was a moments silence. Then
suddenly the door swung wide open,
bnd Loveman found himself looking
et small automatic and beyond that
ut the cold face Of Mary.
Come in, but behave yourself" she
said briefly.
He entered and closed the door
UYour suspicion hurts me, Mary,
dear" he said in his Iniably injured
tone. He raised his two hands, one
holding the cane and the other his
Silk hat, high above his shining dome.
"Just. to allay your suspicion. so we
gan talk as good friends should talk.
y suggest that you first frSk me"
"Don't be fool. and don't try to be
humorous. Put down your hands. /
] can beat you to the first shot-and
there'll be only one shot. What do
you want?'
Loveman lowered his hands and laid
Stick and hat upon a table. Mind if
en asthmatic, dropsical and almost
moribund gentleman sits down while
be talks?" He eased himself into a
chair without waiting her consent.
fSit down. too. Mary. IF you're going
10 murder me let's make II comfort