Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-02


solutely changed towards him; and
from being his good friend, with
established intimacies, she had turn
ed before his very eyes into an alien.
almost an enemy. more beautiful
than ever, to be true, but perverse.
mocking. impish. She flouted him
for his youth, his bluntness. is guile
less transparency. But hardest Of
all to bear was the delicate derision
with which she treated his awkward
attempts to express his passion for
her, to speak Of the fever which had
taken possession of him, almost
against his will. And now, he re-
Elected bitterly, with this velvet fop
of count looming up as q possible
rival, with his SAVIOR faire, and his
absurd penchant for literature and
art. what chance had he. a plain
Briton, against such odds2--unless.
as he profoundly believed, the chap
was a crook He determined to
sound her guardian.
mr.. harrington" he asked aloud,
what do you think-hallo!" He
sprang up suddenly and thrust out a
supporting arm.
Harrington had risen, and stood
swaying slightly upon his feet. He
was frightfully pale, and his counte-
nance was contracted as if in pain.
He lifted wavering hand to his
head.
With supreme effort he steadied
himself.
Doris. he asked quickly, 81 meant
to ask you--where did you leave
Lady Constance
The girl looked up in surprise.
II haven't seen her today--she
went down to Great Bradley last
night-didn't she, auntie?"
The elder woman nodded.
"Mannish, and not a little dis
courteous l think" she said. leaving
her guests and motoring thru the fog
to the country. / sometimes think
Constance Dex is a trifle mad"
Il wish l could share your views"
said Harrington, grimly.
He turned abruptly to Doughton.
Look after Doris he said. II
have remembered--an engagement"
He beckoned Frank with a scarce
~ perceptible gesture. and the two
men passed out of the box.
''Have you discovered anything?"
he asked. when they were outside.
About what~ asked Frank. limo
Gently.
A grim smile broke the tense lines
of Mr.. Farrington's face.
Really" he said. drily. for a
young man engaged in most impor-
tant Investigations you are casual"
oh - the Tollington business"
said the other. mo. Mr.. Harrington.
have found nothing. don't think
1t is my game ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
and discovering people. I'm q pretty
good short story writer but pretty
rotten detective. OF course. it is aw-
fully kind Of you to have given me
the job"
Don't talk nonsense snapped the
older man. 1T isn't klndness--it's
self-interest. Somewhere in this
country Is the heir to the Tollington
millions. am one OF the> trustees to
that estate and am naturally keen
on discovering the man who will re-
Is hundred pounds awaiting the in-
individual who unearths this heir"
He glanced at his watch.
There is one other thing I want
to speak to you about-and that is
Doris"
They stood in the little corridor
which ran at the back of the boxes,
and Frank wondered why he had
chosen this moment to discuss such
urgent and intimate matters. He
was grateful enough to the million
him-tho with the information to go
upon, looking for the missing Toll
lington heir was analogous to seeking
the proverbial needle-but grateful
for the opportunity which even this
association gave him for meeting
Doris Gray, he was quite content to
continue the search indefinitely
You know my views" the other
went on-he glanced at his watch
again. II want Doris to marry you.
She is dear girl, the only human
being In the world for whom have
any affection" His voice trembled,
and none could doubt his sincerity.
Somehow am getting nervous
about things-that shooting which /
witnessed the other night has made
me jumpy-go in and win"
He offered q cold hand to the
other, and Frank took 1t, then. with
a little jerk OF his head. and mutt
tered ''shan't be gone long" he pass
ed into the. vestibule, and out into
the foggy street. A shrill whistle
brought taxi from the gloom.
1.-THE Savoy said Harrington. He
sprang in, and the cab started with
jerk.
A minute later he thrust his head
from the window.
"You may drop me here" he called.
He descended and paid his fare. It'll
walk the rest of the way" he re-
marked casually.
BIT thickish on foot tonight, sir"
offered the driver respectfully. Bet
ter let me set you down at the ho-
tel" But his fare was already lost
in the enveloping mist.
harrington wrapped his muffler
closely about his chin, pulled down
his hat to shadow his eyes, and hur-
ried along like man with set des-
tination.
Presently he halted and signaled to
another cab, crawling along close to
the curb.
ITO be continued)