The Washington times., 1921-02-25
PROXIES

/. heavens. IL Ia had my way Ia
have been six feet; why rub II inr"
"Im sorry dear; Is my little man
angry with his ladyr
II he was he did . very foolish
thing 20 look into her eyes; he
knew IL when he raised his own;
he was lost at once. Miss barley
was lingering the necklace and say
ing demurely-"now as to the pay
ment-if you cared to accept .
little more on account
Homer seized her two arms and
proceeded with rapture TO collect
further payment on the necklace
OF a million kisses.
Miss barley submitted up to q
certain point and then realizing
that psyment in full which her
nance Seemed inclined to take.
would keep her In the conservatory
the rest of her natural life she re-
minded him that she had an en-
gagement.
Homer forbore reluctantlyto press
his advantage. but his good humor
was restored and he registered his
pleasure with a graceful speech
very well, my dear. as wonder
full as you think my gift II is not
really worth more than two kisses"
.~rhat's very we'll said" laughed
the girl. and slipping her arm
through his she walked to the foyer
with him Mr.. Carleton arrived to
claim his hat at the precise moment
John Slower emerged from his inter-
view with Christopher Darley.
The two men, diplomat and ex-
warden. presented such q contrast
rn
not ignore II. Stover. rather tall,
heavy. massive featured, looked like
a powerful battleship. while. II the
simile may be pursued. Mr.. Carle-
ton resembled destroyer.
The young woman with the dia-
mond necklace cleaning on her
white throat made a picture which
struck straight to the heart of the
ex-warden. He stood like man
petrified with his eyes focused on
the daughter of the house. while
Mr.. Carleton, with an amused
shruR. took his hat from Peter,
waved farewell and went out.
Obviously 1t was Mr.. Stover's cue
to follow; he had no excuse for re-
naming, but apparently he forgot
the butler was holding the door
ajar for him.
Sotto voice. he aired his senti-
ments: "A peach and lenon,'
he said, referring to Miss barley
and the man she was to marry.
This remark. never in the best
of taste, scrmed particularly Of
fensive to Peter, who coughed dis
creetly in protest. Slower turned.
scrowled, went toward the door.
paused to look once more at the
fascinating vision of the girl and
passed into the street.
Peter had never shut the door
on any of the barley guests with
more satisfaction. Miss barley.
summoning Glare, who had stood
at a respectful distance looking on
at this strange scene, pointed to
the great outdoors gravely.
who was that queer person."
she asked. -.
"A Mr.. Slower. Miss Darley."
Peter answered for her, "a busi-
ness man."
"That's all, Clare" said the young
woman, waving the maid away
and with one hand on the balus-
trade pausing to speak to Peter.
WAS ADROIT.
The butler remained like a SOL
der at attention.; Miss Darley
pazed at him coquettishly and
started to run up the stairs; she
was nothing, II not adroit; high
heeled slippers may be made an
excuse for almost any sort OF ac-
cident. She slipped, gracefully,
apparently completely, and would
have fallen IL Peters arms, ex-
tended in the nick Of time had not
caught her.
The slight scream which pre-
ceded her lapse into unconscious
ness was the signal for Clare's re-
turn as an unwilling witness OF
tableau in which she found small
satisfaction.
ITO he Continued Tomorrow.)