Evening star., 1919-02-23

astonished him. For they had come
at the very time when his old pur-
pose was the same as achieved.
She could but notice the remarkable
change in his appearance. wei,
what is 1t now" she demanded.
lie drew a deep. quivering breath.
A recklessness, "a defiance--but be
hind which his new purpose remained
Cool-now possessed him. He was
aware that he had TO act quickly, for
any instant Peter LoVeman might be
here.
What is it now" he repeated, with
a provoking smile. If he did not
have power TO stir her to love, he
knew that he had the power to stir
her to anger Il was just recalling
what YOU said a moment ago, to the
effect that you We're going 10 do what
YOU pleased and do it when YOU
pleased. Pardon me for smiling--but
when a woman boasts, it sometimes
is amusing and q bit absurd"
What do you mean? she SAID
sharply.
"Oh. I'm smiling at myself. too. for
I've just realized what fool I've
made of myself in trying TO stop YOU
AN entirely unnecessary effort.
what | mean Miss Rcgan, is that !
do not believe YOU could do it,"
why not"
"Oh, / suppose you'd go through
with your part of it. But If put to
the test of marrying at once, Jack
Morton would never 20 through with
his part. He may be a bit infatuated;
but he's too wise To marry a woman
without money 49, without knowing
more about who she is-and without
his fathers approval No wonder
Jack has been putting this Off"
She flushed hotlN Il have been the
one to put it off" she cried.
Indeed" he exclaimed with un-
belief none too polite. From the
way he was dancing last night with
Miss Cordova-you know. that pretty
musical comedy star--I have an idea
she's had lot to do with the delay.
And | ina gine she'll have a lot more
to do with further delay. Why, you
poor thing, he smiled irritstingly.-
Ito think YOU could hold man like
Jack Morton--you having to remain
inactive, under cover--he free to
roam about with all sorts of charming
women--particularly with Miss Cor
doya"
She did not speak for a moment.
She was choked with that anger on
which he had so carefully counted:
no person. he knew, would be so
likely to act upon impulse as proud
and aDgered, woman, before the man
who had insulted her.
$50 you think | can't do it" she
exclaimed. so he's the one who is
holding back! Well. III just show
you! Anyhow. this thing might as
we'll come to a head right now And
III give you your chance to tell all
you know about me-
She turned and took up the tele-
phone from the writing desk and
asked for the Biltmore. Fortune
favored her purpose, for in minute
she had Jack Mortonj on the wire
can you come right over.
Jack. with your car"
No, don't bring your chauf-
lrir
I'll tell you that when you come
only bring plenty of wraps.
All right I'll be ready; come right
up
Hell be over in fifteen minutes"
she said to Clifford. you may wait
if you like. but you'll excuse me"
She passed into her bedroom Cliff
ford sank rather Imply into chair.
He had come to what just then
seemed the supreme crisis of his life,
and he was still dazed at the way he
had willed that crisis to eventuate.
He sat thinking ns---thinking the min
utes she was out We're long minutes
to him.
Presently she re-entered., She had
changed TO a black velvet fsuit trim
med with black fur: q small fur hat
sat snugly down upon her thick. dark
hair; and she carried a fur motor
coat. She was an unforeettable pic
dark face against the background OF
soft and sheeny blacks.
She did not address Clifford: but
there was little time for their silence
to become awkward for almost at
once the bell OF the suite rang. Mary
went to the door and admitted Jack
Morton. The pleasant faced young
fellow looked most comfortably hand
some in his great motoring coat of
.raccoon.
~ say, Mary, this is certainly fine
he cried, after he had kissed her.
And, hello--theres Bob Clifford
How's the old boy" He shook Clif-
ford's hand warmly. But say, Mary,
what's doing?'
Mary looked at Morton when she
replied. but her voice was. directed
at Clifford: 1--WE decided. Jack, to
give in TO you. Pm ready to be
married at once--today."
"Hurrah"' cried young Morton.
seizing both her hands But we'lI
have TO keep it quiet--same as we
planned. You're ready now?"
She did. not answer. Clifford noted
that her body tsutened and her
Z breath was held-as one who waits
for a blow; and ne understood that,
she was waiting for and expectins
him TO speak the truth about her.
She slowly turned and looked at
clifford. Surprise that he had said
nothing WAS in her face, Then she
turned back to Morton. "
TN all ready" she said, distinctly,
so that Clifford might not miss a
word Wen do as you suggested: ::
motor away back into the country to