The Ordway new era., 1919-03-21

suppose 1 am forced to accept your Of
fer, although your conduct was been
| outrageous. / hope you do not :hink
countenance 1t by going with your"
mot Mt all.- said Arbuthnot grave
ly, and Garretson chuckled.
Good night. ah, Edward" he called.
as they moved away in the darkness.
Have a pleasant walk, and don't hur-
ry"
'In one way" began the girl con-
strained1y. II owe you both n service.
1 didn't quite realize before what an
awful cad that fellow was And worse
than that, he's coward. am pleased
to find him out"
Don't be too hard on him." Ar
buthnot Joined In the conversational
such 1t could be called-for the first
time. "Some people are constitutions
ally averse to playing the good
Samaritan"
"DOn't altogether blame him my
self" Garretson was trying to put the
girl at her ease. There's never much
in 1t for the good Samaritan. Fellow
once took a girl to the theater for me
4 had headache, you know, and
couldn't go-and. by Jove, didn't the
girl he was in love with hear about II
and give him the cut direct!"
Indeed" said the girl languidly, "it
must have been n bad headache"
"It was" said Jimmy untruthfully;
fearful, and the next morning."
sThere'S the gate"
She had been gently lifted down and
carried through the mire, to the gate
before she could demonstrate.
Arbuthnot bowed and turned back.
"Now make 1t go like the devil"
Mr.. Garretson was plainly i'll at ease.
A few minutes later Arbuthnot.
clothed in evening garb, left Garretson
to the tender mercies of Charlie
Courtenay's man and started down the
broad staircase.
Just at the curve he met rather
flushed very pretty girl, still In her
wraps, who was coming breathessly
up. She bowed, to Arbuthnots delight,
and hurried on.
Whereupon that young gentleman
sat down on a window seat and
watched for the girls reappearance.
She came soon. AS she reached the
landing Arbuthnot rose and she was
suddenly conscious of his presence.
'Marjorie"-his voice was very gen.
tie. but even in the half light his face
was pale and drawn" won't keep you
long. and If you tell me that you really
care for that-that English fellow, III
let you go at once. But Marjorie, If
it's only the glitter of the title-I don't
want to hurt you dear, but such things
do happen-and I've been breaking my
heart for you these last days-Do you
love him, Marjorie?"
The girl looked up and down the
stairs. There was no one in sight.
From the lower floor came the soft
strains of waltz and the low murmur
of many voices; but they were alone.
With little contented sigh she slipped
her hand into his and leaned over to
him.
II detest him." she said softly.
''You may kiss me iftyou like-you
look as though you are going to any
how" naively.
UNI hc suiu pioinptiy, uhu uius
A moment later she raised her head
and laughed little.
"Never, as long as live, will for
get the way you threw that little cad
into the mud"
"You knew me?" gasped Arbuthnot.
From the first minute" she said
calmly.
Later in the evening, Marjorie hav.
ing been claimed for dance, ArbutAr
not met Jimmy Garretson In the smok.
ing room.
'The Courtenays are growing anx.
ious," said the latter, with elaborate
carelessness. Lord Hyne isn't here
yet"
Abuthnot looked him squarely in the
eye.
ut was a long walk" he said.
Mr.. Garretson lopked at him oddly
and mysteriously.
"You knew him?" Upon my word
Arbuthnot. belieye you arranged the
whole affair.""
II did," said Arbuthnot shamelessly
"Our gasoline tank was half full"