Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-19
CHAPTER XIV,

she told herself that her chauffeur
was timid about opening the front
door to her guests.
His timidity was not due to diff
fidence, as she supposed. 1t was
due to a fancy that he might be
brought face to face with some one
whom he had met in the old days
in Baltimore.
1T is not probable that anyone
I have ever seen before will be on
hand tonight" he reflected as he
walked home to his rooms. But II
such a thing should occur, l would
be less likely to be noticed when l
am passing food to people than
when 1 open the front door for
them. Gee!-some complication!'
Alone in his own room, he smiled
at his predicament. Well, it was
all a part of the adventure upon
all it appealed to his sense of hu-
NOR.
He opened his trunk and drew
forth a dress suit that he had not
worn since before he entered the
service. When he brought his
clothes from Baltimore weeks ago
he had wondered if he would ever
be in a position to wear this suit
again. But it was too good to leave
behind, and a chance to wear 1t
might come.
It had come all right, he grinned
to himself. But not the kind of a
chance he had imagined.
The clothes were slightly tight
for him. He noted with satisfac-
ton that the vest was not as loose
as when he had slipped it on soon
after his return from France. He
was glad of this, for it was proof
positive that he was gaining flesh,
and regaining strength. He wanted
to do a mans work in the world.
The war does not need me now,
he muttered, 80 l have not that in
centive to get we'll as quickly as
possible. But I do want to tackle
! a mans job, and the sooner l get
! husky the sooner l will be able to
! be in something besides the chauf-
! Touring business. This is too easy
berth for me-easy in one way,
hard in another"
He looked very grave as he stood
| lost in thought. It's getting a bit
too dangerous for me-" he MUIR
INJURED. IF I would keep my
peace of mind, I'd best quit soon.
l never thought I'd be such fool.
And yet" his face softening, who
every day? Well" Strengthening
his shoulders, "I can try to fight it
down. But if I can't do that, I'll
Just get away-that's all. There's S
no use in making myself wretched
thinking of what might have been.
1t can't be now. I'm poor, she's
rich. That in itself would settle the
matter even if 1 had not put myself
where she would never give me a
serious thought.
But she's kind to me peril
ously kind. She could not know
what those words of hers and that
hand clasp in the cathedral meant.
They made everything look differ
ent to me-"
Then he set his jaws. "Darned
fool" he exclaimed. go and get
your buffers suit pressed for your
job tonight
That evening. when he took a
final survey of himself in his mir
ror before leaving his room, ha
laughed.
Some transformation" he told
himself. II don't look so tremend-
ously like a butler-in spite of the
black tie and vest that l am wear
ing to make my outfit appear less
festive. But neither do 1 look much
like the comfortable, complacent
chap who left Baltimore a couple
of years ago. That fact gives me
courage"
Desiree Leighton had requested
her aunt to act as chaperone for
the little celebration this evening.
Mrs. Duffield arrived early, and, as
she entered the drawing room
smiled approving at her niece.
MY dear" she declared, you
are perfectly lovely tonight.
have not seen that yellow frock be-
fore. 1t is both pretty and becom-
ing"
II am glad you like it," Desiree
replied. IT think myself that this
pale gold color is exquisite"
II wish" her aunt said. that
you had your pendant to wear this
evening. 1t would add just the
touch that light gown needs"
THE pearls will do very well in
stead" the girl remarked. II, too,
wish I had the pendant - but
haven,t-so why worry?"
What does your father say about
?" the matron inquired.
"I have not told him yet-but I
will later" Desiree answered hast
lily.
Samuel Leighton had gone into
the rear hall in answer to a sum-
mons to the telephone, and Desiree
lowered her voice so that he might
not hear her last speech.
AS she glanced at her parents
face when he returned to the draw
ing room, she saw that something
| was very far wrong.
why, Dad, what's the matter ?"
she asked.
He answered her question by an
other.
MY dear, why did you not tell
me that your amethyst and dia-
! mond pendant has been stolen ?"
But it has not been stolenl" the
girl protested. That is just why
I said nothing about it, for fear
you would accuse some one"
"You should have told me-"
Samuel Leighton insisted. "Perry