The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-11-13


II urged by an Impulse hc could not
control, he leaned forward CROPPED tor
her hand nj the darkness, and, bend
ing kissed II paggiOuatGiy.
i moment later ne had .,,t pped back
and shut the door.
He stood LOOKING after the cab TIL
II vanished round corner tnuu he
went back to the theatre tor MS hat
aud coat. add set OF again down the
road.
tic Vas not conscious OF any real
emotion: but he walked swiftly as a
man uOeR no has a set purpose, and
he did moi sop tail he found himself
outside the Ashtons' mouse.
II was not far OF midnight but
lights burned in many Of the win
dOws, ana after n swift glance at the
face % the house he went up the
steps aud rang the bell.
Ii was some moments before the
door was opened by a mildly amazed
looking servant; Aiclty asked for Nj.
Ashton.
A moment later Nicky heard Ash
TONS voice.
you old night bird! what an un-
souIy uOur 20 call on anyone! was
Just gong TO BAD: come in"
lie spoke easily. but there was a
alEhtly anxious lOoK In his eyes; he
lcd thu way into tine library.
Miclty stood stlffly against the
table.
Il saw you In the theatre to-niEht,h
he began without preamble. II was
with Mass ShepstUuc, and she saw
you, toC-at least she believes IL was
yOG. and | am going 10 tell her that
she was mistaken. How soon can
. you get out OF town and back to
Parisf'
Ashton stared the color had rushed
30 his face; after monent his eyes
| fell.
II don't know what the devil you're
| driving at" he said irritably, IL sup
| pose / can come to London without
4Sking you fret, can't /? And. as Tor
| LnlliU '-ho grinnGd nervousiy-"wen,
you know az we'll as do that that $
ali been Off for weeks"
Micky stood immOvable.
"lOu haven't answered my pues-
tlOn," he snid fllntily. How soon Cali
you gct out " LOndonT'
Ashton Bwore under his breath.
m dashed II know what you're
driving at" he said sullIily. III you
/ Hike TO take Lallic to theatres. that's
your business: she's a nice little g'ri.
/ 1 admit, but"
! Mlcky took a step forward.
/ III you want me TO make me forget
that this is your mothers house,
you're going the right way TO do II, ..
he said between his teeth. "And 1
don't want any OF your bluff. Miss
! Shepstonc thinks she saw you at the
! Comedy tonight; she'll probably
write TO you or try To see you in tho
morning. and you've got to DO out OF
London by then-dO you hear7"
ashton laughed; he shrugged his
Must? ?" he said hastily. How long
! have you been LAllls's champion =
Oh, all right, all right y" hs
broke off hurriedly, as Me saw the
ugly light In Micky's eyes. But lt's a
bit thick, you know" he resumed In
! turcdly. I've done with her: Won
know that. You sent my letter on 10
her yourself. It's absurd " can't
come back home for a few DAYS in
case she should see me and get upset
I'm sorry II she's stlll fond OF me,
but, dash 1t all
you haven't answered my ques.
tlon.' said Micky again.
He was controlling himself with a
mighty effort, but the veins stood ont
IKE cords on his forehead and MS
hands were clenched.
| me two men looked at one another
and II was Ashton's eyeH-thAt fell.
II you're going to pullyraK me
- he began blusterinRIy. "a
may as well tell you that I'm NOT ro-
'rg back to Paris TIL I please, and"
Very well, said Micky. He turned
OH his heel.
Raymond watched him cross tho
room anxiously, When he reached
the door he called to him
"Micky! What the devil are you GO
ing
I'm going 10 tell Mrs. Glare tn.
way you've treated Miss Shepstone.
ana II she's half the decent sort /,
think she Is she'll throw YOU over
board as you've thrown scores OF
Ashton followed and clutched his
arm. Come back: don't be such a
nrebrand; I'll go-Tn clear out by
the first train tomorrow. I'm
sorry n Esther was upset. but -
M'cNy cut him short. The first
't"u leaves Victoria at $40; III be-
Iu..r 10 sc" you Off"
Asht"a scowled. IT'S a nice way TO
treat a friend" nc grumbled. "It
,nerc.S really anything up with Lal-
Mcky stood like a statue.
ITS decent Of you TO take her out e
Ashton went on uneasily. I'm much
Obliged 20 you, I'm sure. She's never
had much Of time, II Ia had any
money ."
Micky broke out then. "oh, hold
your Internal tongue" he said nlri-
Ously,
lie walked out OF the room. shutting
the door hard behind him. He passed
the nstonished maid in the hall and
let himself out into the night. The
blood was pounding In his veins, ha
felt IN actual need OF physical violence:
he DID not know how he had managed
20 keep his hands off Raymond. lie
walked on ut furious pace presently
ne laughed with a sort OF self-plty.
What was the good OF what he had
done after am Al best he had only
succeeded in staYins off the inevitable
for a little while; Esther would have
IA know sooner or later.
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