The evening world., 1920-11-11
Copyrsbt 1920. b. Ruou n. Aya
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING INsTALMENT9

twenty tables were occupied oeSlue h''
own.
He had just finished his dinner
when the swing doors opened ana
man came into the room with LADY
in evening dress.
Micky looked at them, and his heaft
began to racc-fOr the man was RAY
mond Ashton, and the woman, Iuooy
Clare's little widow.
Ashton saw Mlcky at once, ana MIS-
face fell into almost comical lines OF
dismay, but ne pulled himself To-
an beside him.
Micky knew Mrs, Clare slightly ne
rose and went toward them.
Il heard you were in Paris he said.
He shook hands with Mrs. Glare; shs
was rather a pretty little woman,
small and plump, with round, mean
inglcss eyes and friendly smile
We're going to the opera, Ashton
I'D, Mrs. Clare is not staying here,
| but she very kindly consented TO come
| and dine with me. Are you staying
mere, MickyE MneL did you com.
| over?"
Last night; and I'm not staying
| here. Just dropped in for some grub.
You'd better dine with us" Ashton
said, but he did not sound very en-
| thusiastic.
, MiclSy laughed. Thanks. but hav2
| dined. ! was just leaving when you
came in" He thought Of Esther, AMI
his face hardened. This was the mar
OF whom she was thinking all day
and every day; this man who was s.
| obviously going to try and MARI
| Tubby Clare's little widow. -
He stood talking to them for a tew
moments, then excused himself.
You haven't told me where you
are staying" Ashton said.
"No-and I'm going away tomorrow
anyway. When are YOU com
ing back to town."
Ashton looked quickly AT his com.
panion. "Oh. not yet awhile" he said
II see" Micky met his eyes steadily
by the way. | got your letter." h.
said after a moment. You didn't asi
about that letter you gave me.
posted II"
Raymond turned crimson. "Th,
iettor-oh yes, thanks-thanks. ver%
much. You didn't take il them
"No. I posted it," Micky's voice wa
flinty.
."Er-thanks awfully!" Ashton said
again He twisted his moustacho
] nervously. I'll see you some othe
time he said with a rush. "Tll drop
you a line"
He was getting into bis coat in the
lounge when Ashton came after him.
re looked worried and abashed; he
asked a hurried question.
"Everything's all right, Ell. Mickey?
-Lallie, | mean thought from the
way you looked Just now she-she'9
all right-eh?"
My dear chap--how should I know
She never answered my letter, though
/ sent the money, as you wished
thought you would have heard"
81 told you ! didn't mean 10 write
7 said that I wanted the whole affair
cut out" Ashton said irritably
Mlcky made no response
"She's sure TO be all right anyway"
Ashton said after a moment. III she
hadn't I should have heard-eh?''
, Micky looked at him coolly. 49,
You rather sound as II you were
expecting to hear she'd done some
thing foolish-iumped off Waterloo
! Bridge or something" ne said
drily.
1T wouldn't surprise me She
was 80 excitable; she said more than
I once that she'd do away with herself
, its all rot, Of course, but ="
I know" he said heartlessly. Women
/ are such queer creatures-and Lalle
what did you say?"
1 Nothing said Micky CURLY. Good
r night" He turned on his heel ana
! went out.
e. Micky wrote a letter Of passionate
. love to Esther when he got to his
a hotel. and signed Ashton's name TO
), 1t. Then he waited.
l He stayed in Paris four days; the
four longest days Of his life.
d HE wandered about killing time and
wishing everything and every one At
r the bottom of the sea
When Monday morning came he
| packed his portmanteau before he lefl
his room-there would be no letter for
c him, so he might as well clear out and
T go home without making a further
r fool OF himself. There was not the
Q least hope in his heart when he went
to the bureau and asked for letters
= tbe reply came as It had done each
morning: Nothing for monsieur "
Micky turned away. He was half
s way to the dining room before II sud
denly dawned upon him that they
II dld not know h. was expecting letters
. I'm the name OF Ashton-that he ~
'orgotten to tell them. He went back
- hunedly 70. the bureau.
j" '"Any letters for Ashton?-I am ex.
r''unE one for friend of mine OF
ha' name e."
'f lie waited breathlessly while the Fir
~ "'H l-Il'Nbl lHe pigeon nOleS on
the Wall he felt as II he could hardly
% breathe when she came back with q
grey envelope in her hand
~ Mais oui she said smiling
III ly. ~ did not know It was ror
monsieur o."
>, Micky almost snatched it from her
d. lie had not even glanced at the writ
< ing, but he knew II must be from
Esther. He sat down at the breakfas
~ table with his thoughts in a whirl; h
was sure that the waiter must know
how excited he felt. He ordered cot
s fee and rolls before he opened the en-.
nj Velupr; he laid It down on the clotl
besid" him and stared a t ii very mucl
'e az sentimental girl might stare q
ls her first love letter. hesitating to oper
re IT, wishing to prolong the ultimat
delight
-. Finally he cut it open carefully an,
III drew out the contents. His pulse
OF were racing, he did not know II sham
or delight were the greatest emotio
h. in his neart; he glanced at the frs
ch two words and the blood rushed 10 N
eli. face,
he Read To. Morrow's Interesting install