The Washington herald., 1921-05-22

edly, freshly. consciously, and in
tentionally pretty. She was dressed
with such expensive plainness that
she made you consider lace and ruff
fies as mere tatters and rags. But
one great ostrich plume that she
wore would have marked her any
where in the army of beauty as the
wearer of the merry helmet of Ma
varre.
Miss De Ormond accepted the
swivel chair at Blue-Tie's desk
Then the gentlemen drew leather
upholstered seats, conveniently near.
and spoke of the weather.
Yes" said she. Il noticed il was
warmer. But ! mustn't take up too
much of your time during business
hours. That is." she continued. "un-
less we talk business"
She addressed her words to Blue.
Tie. with a charming smile. .
Very we'll" said he. "You dom,
mind my cousin being present, do
you? We are generally rather con-
f1dential with each other-espe-
cially in business matters"
oh. no." caroled Miss De Or.
mond. I'D rather he did hear He
knows all about it, anyhow. In fact
he's quite a material witness, be-
cause he was present when you
when 1t happened. I thought you
might want to talk things over be-
fore-weH. before any action is
taken, as l believe the lawyers say"
Have you anything in the way OF
a proposition to make- asked
Black-Tie.
Miss De ormond looked reflective
ly at the neat toe of one of her dull
kid pumps.
u had a proposal made to me-"
she said. IF the proposal sticks IL
cuts out the proposition. Let's have
that settled first" -.
Well, as far as" began Blue
Tie
Excuse me, cousin" interrupted
Black-Tie, tif you don't mind my
cutting in" And then he turned
with good -natured air, toward the
lady.
Now, let's recapitulate a bit" he
said cheerfully. An three of us
besides other mutual acquaintances,
have been out on a good many larks
together" -
~ Ill oiu Al u call the
birds. by another name" said Miss
De- Ormond.
~All right" responded Black Tie,
with unimpaired cheerfuIness; sup
pose we say squads when we talk
about the proposal and 'larks' when
we discuss the proposition You
have quick mind. Miss De Ormond.
Two months ago some half-dozen of
us went in motor-car for a days
run into the country. We stopped
at road-house for dinner. My
cousin proposed marriage to you
then and there. He was Influenced
to do SO. of course. by the beauty
and charm which no one can deny
that you possess"
II wish I had you for press
| agent, Mr.. Carteret." said the beauty
with a dazzIlh hg smile.
You are fon the stage, Miss De
Ormond." wInt on Black Tie. You
have had. doubtless. many admirers
and perhaps other proposals. You
must remember, too. that We were a
party of merrymakers on that oc-
casion. There were a good many
corks pulled. That the proposal OF
marriage was made to you by my
cousin We cannot deny. But hasn't
II been your experience that, by
common consent, such things lose
their seriousness when viewed in the
next days sunlight? Isn't there
something of code among good
'sports'-I use the word in its best
sense-that wipes out each day the
fUllies of the evening previous?
.Oh. yes" said Miss De Ormond.
II know that very we'll. And I've
always played up to it. But as you
seem to be conducting. the case
with the silent consent of the de-
fendant--IllS tell you something
more. I've got letters from him.
repeating the proposal And they're
signed, too"
y understand" said Rlsck-Tie
gfavely. What's your price for the
let ters?"@
I'm not a cheap one" said Miss
De Ormond. But / had decided 70
make you rate. You both belong
to a swell family. Well. IL I am on
the stage nobody can say wore
against me truthfully. And the
money Is only secondary consid-
Grafton. It isn't the money was
after, I'll believed himAand-anc
! liked him."
She cast . soft. entrsncips gispce
4