The Washington times., 1920-11-07
A Throbbing Vital Romance of American Life


urios went on as a matter Of course.
Shortly. Anthony's salary failed TO
keep up with his disbursements
and greatly against his will he-was
obliged TO draw on HIS share in the
profits OF the Beacon that Winter.
Though the money was undeniably
his. II had been a point OF honor
with him not to touch II. There
was formality TO be gone through
by which the other trustee acting
with Jim Howard had TO be made
coEnisant Of the draft. and An
thony. In view OF his reasons for
drawing. somehow felt as though
I, he were letting alr the world in to
gaze upon his private AFFAIRS. II
was this as much as anything that
for some time preyed upon his
mind. and Liggett observed II. He
determined to have a little chat. as
he phrased II. with hfs young as
sistant.
It was on q Friday afternoon.
They had been composing the
weekly market letter which was to
be printed and to reach their mall
Ing list by Monday morning with
It's oracular analysis Of "The Out,
look" and its austere. almost satur-
nine commentator sof certain Sc
curities to which the house OF Cass
Liggett & Company wished to.
draw the particular attention OF it,
customers-past. present and pros
pective. The floor member. who
had assisted at this rite, had al
ready hurried away uptown. The
customers had all gone. only the
clerks and bookkeepers were still
in their cages. Otherwise Anthony
and Liggett were alone in the lat
ter's private office,
"Mrs. vanleer has closed her ac-
count and hasn't come back TO u.s."
Liggett remarked casually. lighting
a cigarette and holding out the case
to Anthony. wonder whyf You
sometimes see her. don't you"
Eyes" said Anthony quietly, but
his hand betrayed a tremor as he
took the lighted match from Liz
gett. Sometimes" he pulled.
mot too often. I hope" and Lig-
gett gave one of his transient smiles
that left his features disturbed as
little as possible. "An attractive
woman" he muttered quickly with
the same air of casualness. TOO
had she lost her voice. Some sing
ers eat and drink their voices up.
Mrs. Vanleer"-
The blood had leaped into An.
thongs face. A nauseating fear
came over him that Liggett would
say something to the disparagement
OF Misunderstanding impossible to
forestail or to. forget or to live
down.
"Oh-er-I-," he interrupted,
"we-that Is lam engaged to her."
Engaged" Liggett exclaimed.
His eyes blinked and a wintry chill
visibly took possession Of his broad
countenance and settled there.
"Why-how long-since when b
THAR"
"Just a few weeks" replied An
thony with q brave show Of natural
ness.
Gentlemen, where is the corpse?"
Liggett was slow of speech, but
he thought rapidly. A newspaper
man-who would have believed It?
These young men are supposed to
be very shrewd and experienced
and knowing in the ways Of the
world. SO far as the engagement"
t. concerned. that will take care OF
itself. Wilma isn't in the marrying
business. II only the lad doesn't
come to grief. Must keep an eye
on him. No use hurting him. how.
ever. High strung. Too bad.
"Oh, well, you see-I didn't
know" and that curt laugh Of Lig-
gett's was like the cracking Of ice.
Congratulations" he added quick
ly, and rose to his feet.
THANK you, Mr.. Liggett," An
thofy answered clearly, also rising
and gathering up the papers which
1t was his business to leave at the
printers that afternoon.
spring.
81 wish to Heaven" Liggett was
thinking to himself as they went
their separate ways. Il wish to
Heaven I hadn't introduced him tn
that terrible woman"
That evening Anthony spent with
Wilma in a kind Of reckless and
C~S>-~~A1