Evening star., 1919-03-16

on such other business. looked
penetratingly at the unexpected trio:
that Maisle hal learned the truth
about Jack and Mrs. Gardner?-which
would disrupt one of his dearest and
most patient plans, And also did they
suspect why he was here? AS for Jack.
he was merely stricken dumb and pow
ter-the ak was already falling.
And Mary, her will nullifled for the mo-
ment by sense OF futility, brea athlessly
watched the grayish face Of Maisle
Jones. who. In the hand that now held
the crumpled marriage certificate. also
held the swift fnale to all her plan
ming, each second she expected the
outraged. Jealous and vindictive girl
to speak or hand the crumpled paper
to the srsy-templed man beside the
door.
1t was the elder Morton. trained by
his worldly experience to keep on
playing his part whatever the cir
cumstances. who ended this hour-long
moment. .
I Just started to call on you. Mai
Sic. he explained evenly, pleasantly,
and at your door ! learned from q
ner ! pressed the bell button. then
shocked. but as there was no answer.
and az the door was open. 1 ventured
in.and here find three Of you"
effort. since the other girl held her
fate in her tightly clenched hand:
but her tnborn quality OF keeping on
mechanically forced words from her
recognized her words as a lame OK
planation. miss Jones was going
out with your son. and as she was
passing she stopped in for a moment"
Mr.. Morton looked keenly at Maisie,
and waited; and Mary looked at her.
IN SUSPENSE vet OF the end md
waited.
Then the eray-faced girl spoke for
the first time-and her fingers twitch.
ed about the document she held
Yes. Jack and | We're passing. and
just dropped in"
Mary maintained her outward COM
posure, but fnwardly she started. So
Maisie Jones was holding back her
weapon, waiting her chosen time to
strike.
Morton seemed to accept Maisie's
words: but before another word could
be spoken. while all the dangerous
in suspense. Mary saw new figure
press open the unlat tched door-Peter
Loveman. In flash she understood
the little lawyers presence: that
forever lowering about her and Mr..
Morton had made him follow Morton
here-that he might be beforehand
and save himself. in case of mishap
TO ner Impossible plans.
Her mind; working with incredible
speed, had another instantaneous
fear. Every instant she expected
Clifford to enter and add to the COM
pIicatiohs swarming upon her.
Lovemans round. keen eyes swiftly
coming together Of the four of them
face to face, Of Mr.. Morton, Jack,
Mary and the girl Jack had been di-
rected to marry, could have but one
meaning, one outcome. His speech
followed his conclusion so promptly
that there was barely moment be-
tween his entrance and his first word
Pardon my coming up here. Nv
Norton" he said rapidly. stepping
forward. but the matter is so i'm
lpensely important as to- abrogate
formalities. have lust made dis
"Mr. Morton" Mary interrupted
sharply. pressing between the two
men. She knew that yet new de-
struction was in Loyemans next
on ishting to the very end instantly
controlled her. "Mr. Morton-before
you hear him read my letter"
Your letter." aueried Mr.. Morton,
taken aback by the suddenness of
all this.
THE letter gave you in the
Japasese room. The letter ] told you
to hold until ] gave you permission
to read 1T. You have it with you?"
Yes. here it is, Mrs. Gardner" He
drew an envelope from an inner coat
pocket.
"Mr. Morton, I've just discov-
ered---"
Read my letter first" Mary again
broke sharply in upon LoNeman. THE
time has come that | spoke Of. Mr..
Morton--the time when YOU have my
permission to read my letter. 1t tells
YOU all that Mr. Toveman has discov-
cred and more"
You wait. 1oveman. Mrs Gardner
first"
Mr.. Morton ran a forefnger beneath
the embossed flap. The little-la wyer
was yellowish-p pale. there was a spas-
modic quirering of the soft folds be-
meath which his Adams apple was
throbbng. Mary saw Loveman's con-
dition. and with seemingly invol-
untary action laid d hand upon the
finger of Mr.. Morton's that was
sheathed in the envelope.
That letter contains everything
Mr.. Morton. 7 wasn't QUITE ready for
you to know 1t. I'd rather you did
not know 1T yet--but MIR. Loveman
has forced me-" She turned to Love-
man. and her next words had in them
a hidden meaning for him. and an
other meaning for Mr.. Morton. Since
YOU are determined. Mr.. Loveman,
that Mr.. Morton must know 1t. | pre-
fer that he learn 1t from me--and
that he learn everything"
In her steady glance the sallow lit
tie man read reckless defiance-and
beneath her words he read the offer