The evening world., 1920-11-15


we'd got a cat" June told him douOo-
| fully. but, of course, she must have
done, or else the mans got second
sight"
Miclky was drinking hts tea; ha
choked suddenly.
A feeling OF panic closed upon htme
never told him she'd got a catI %
course she hadn't! What a fool he haA
been to make such a blunder-what on
utter blockhead.
II expect she did tell him" hS
managed to say.
"YesA that's what l think"
A moment later he came over %
where she was sitting. and stood be-
hind her chair so that she could not
see his face, "I've tried 70 make up
| my mind to tell you lots OF times," he
said. But l thought perhaps you'd
have guessed before now. . . Q" He
stopped and moved away restlesHly.
June sat very still; presently
IT'S Esther she said quietly.
Yes"
Poor old Mickyl q"
You needn't be sorry Tor me; L
walked into 1t with my eyes wide
open. l knew she was engaged--l
knew IT all the time"
Have you told herr"
Yes. She took It as an in
suit. Perhaps it was; 1 don't know,
| you see, knew she was engaged to
| shat other fellow"
AN outsider! Who isn't worth O.
thought" June cried Indignantly.
"Micky however could she have re-
fused you?"
| He laughed. He looked down at her
with a comical expression in his eyes
She's not the first woman who's
! done that" he reminded her.
Here is Esther" said June sud-
denly.
She got up and opened the door.
The lady with the fur coat" she
announced drily. Pray come In,
madamew'
June" said Esther protestingly.
She seemed 10 guess who was there.
She looked past her friend at once 70
! MiCky.
She colored family as be rose to
/ greet her.
He had not seen her in the fur coat
| before The dark fur suited her fair.
ness admirably; the heavy folds hung
gracefully about her slim figure; her
face rose like flower from the big,
outstanding collar.
And where have you been all the
afternoon"' June demanded. We
waited for you till nearly five"
Esther made a little Erimace. I've
had my tea out"
Il shall have to be going" Micky
said abruptly.
Il don't want any dinner he told
Driver when he got in. I'm going 10
| bed"
Driver opened his mouth to say
something and closed 1t again; he
brought the evening papers and his
masters slippers and turned to leave
| the room. At the door he stopped and
| looked back.
Have you seen the evening paper,
| sir?' he asked deprecatingly.
NO" said Micky. Something in the
mans voice arrested his attention; he
turned in his chair. "Why?" he asked
CURLY.
Driver came back a step.
There's a notice OF Mr.. AShton'a
marriage in it, that's all, SIR" he SAID
woodenly. Il thought that you'd be
Interested"
So it had come at last. Micky ~
staring down at the small paragraph
which briefly announced the marriage
OF Tub0y Clare's wealthy widow 70
Mr.. Raymond Ashton.
The ceremony. so the paper dee
clared, which had taken place quietly
in Paris, would be a complete surprise
| 20 everybody; Mrs. Clare, as all the
world knew, inherited something like
| 10000 pounds under the will OF hsp
| late husband.
Miclty jumped up, and started out
! Immediately. He went to June's house
by taxi and startled her by cry1nS
out:
It's come"
"What?" she asked in amusement,
The damned outsider-Ashton-ha
been married in Paris. You must yea
Esther ont OF here at once-on some
pretext."
June, quick to comprehend as usual.
planned business trip to a town N.
the country, where lived a maiden
aunt.
Meet US at Poddington at nine to.
morrow" she ordered Micky. I'll ar
range It,"
But don't let her get a paper" he
urged.
Leave it all to me-" she said. 'NovS
run along"
After he had gone, she told Esthsa
that she had been called to the coun-
try on business, and insisted that she
go as companion. Esther reluctantly
consented, as the thought OF a journsa
to new scenes delighted her.
Mlcky was on hand at the statiol
laden with magazines and chocolates,
He thought that Esther, whose ey00
were bright In anticipation OF ira
| journey, looked more beautiful than
ever. Before the train left, June tao4s
fully suggested that MIcky miEhS
drive down to EnmOre in the car a.
the following day and stay at the inn
for few days. Esther smiled rad
approval, and Micky gleetully promS
| tsed to appear.
When the train drew into the tim
Enmore station, June explained thai
they would stay with an aunt. WhO
had long urged her to come for 4
visit. During the days she would
have to attend to business ahe de1
clared, but Miss Dearling, the auntg
would prove charming and willini
| host ess.
True to expectations June ana
Esther were received with open arrn1
and admonished TO stay for week.
and weeks"
When she was alone in her roou.,
Esther sighed happily.
Micky arrived early the next dHN
and as June was absent, suggested a
ride to Esther. She accepted II KnatsS
fully, and soon they were Spinninas
over the roads.
| 1T would Just be perfect Sha toiR