The Washington herald., 1920-02-28

With a considerably 1ightenec
heart, / set about some household
duties. For the housekeeper had
day off today-and Alice didn't care
for domestic concerns.
You're a dear, good child, Hell
enc. Just go ahead, and give any
order that you please" she said.
And presently i saw her driving
off in her small runabout. Whether
her goal was town or not, I did not
know.
The morning sped away. Jim:
mother and L lunched together.
WAS it you who sent my son thai
lovely rose?" she asked, smiling al
me. You're very kind, my dear
And he appreciated it,"
We had a long, delightful chat to-
gether. She talked OF Jim inces-
sanity.
The best son that a mother evei
had" she said repeatedly.
l proved a glorious listener. In
fact, each word she said was music
in my ears. | couldn't hear enough
You must come up and stay with
use in town. when Jim Is better
she remarked at last. THAT is TO
say, if''-here a troubled light came
into her fine eyes-"if Jim's father
relents towards him-if the mys-
tery's cleared up"
You said that you suspected
Tony Lascelles." 1 couldn't keep
from saying. You thought that II
was Tony who had forged the
check
Hush She put a warning fin
definite proof. Except that it's just
the sort of thing that Tony is quite
capable of. And Jim is innocent.
do know that"
Wouldn't you care to meet Tony
If i arranged a meetinC?" I vol
unteered. half timidly. Maybe that
would help to clear your SON"
Jim's mother laughed little
TREMENDOUSLY.
Tony would do everything on
heaven and earth to- avoid a meet
ing! Didn't you notice how he
skulked off yesterday, hoping that
hadn't seen him cross the drive
way? 1t isn't likely that even you
my dear, with all your charm. could
coax Tony Lascelles to meet me
though here she signed-"I
brought him up like my own son
lavished affection on him. and stood
by him when everyone else hadn't
good word to say about him."
Tony has never spoken of you
to me" l remarked, but then he's
always been reticent about his owr
affairs. I've known him for some
considerable time. But never really
intimately"
That's a good thing" replied the
older woman. Leave it at that, my
dear-if you are wiser
After lunch 1 pondered on hel
observations.
fathers eyes. Oh. was there moth.
ing l could do?
II Tony would confess, for in.
stance.
But of his own volition Tony
never would confessI 1 knew him
well enough for that.
Diplomacy! A woman's weapon
Maybe Helene st. Aubyns-coulC
wiring confession from the guilty
person and clear up Jim's name!
1 drew TOny's letter from my
pocket, and re-read it once again
The "Sheaf of Wheat" at 4 o'clock
began to reconsider my decision
Expediency told me that a tete-a
TEA with Master Iony might hell
Jim.
1 didn't wish an interview will
Tony. But it might prove produc
tive. / mustn't think about my
self, my own desires.
At 3 o'clock l dressed with spe
cial care. Tony adored smar
clothes. Today he must be humored
\ good deal hung upon the impress
sion / was going to make on Tony
My suit was a skating-costum'
that I'd worn at the winter sport!
on a visit to Montreal-a glOriou.
shade of tawny brOwn-and edgeC
with beaver. The coat was cut II
Russian style. and belted snappily
The skirt was short.
| wore gauntlet gloves. and Ions
brown boots. Upon my fuzzy, wall
hower-colored locks I wore a tan
OF golden brown velour. i'm -. o.
pert and chic, caught at one side