The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-06-18

Blu RUBY M. A YRES
Copyright. Holder a stoughton)

coat; an ugly iSok crept around his
thin mouth.
Major threw his long legs over the
side OF the hammock; his handsome
eyes were very alert; he looked al
most like some 1.-THE tiger ready TO
spring.
II was he who found his voice first.
oh, / say. how rottenl Hang
business on a day like this. Wire.
and put the Johnnie off. whoever he
lit cant be so very pressing"
I'm afraid II is" For the first
time Richard Fcrricr felt master OF
the situation. The laugh was on his
side now. He smiled tolerantly down
on his companions dismay.
Even lazy men like myself have
business calls occasionally" he went
on leisureiy. But this won't take
Tonga few hours. I can get back
tomorrow-if ! may leave my bag
here"
MY dear feilow"--Hastins screw
cd the monocle into place again. and
clapped Ferrier on the back cordially
IF you may what a question.
Your home Is here for as long as
you please--for dear old Micky's
sake. II II were not for your own
eh. Joan?"
The girl started She seemed to
have fallen into reverie and she
stood white and silent between the
two men.
'Oh, yes" she echoed with little
high-pitched laugh. For dear old
Miciy's sake. II not your own
Major got down from the ham
mock and picked up the fallen book.
He relit his cigar and smiled amiabiy
round at everybody.
TEL you what" he said, as II with
sudden inspiration. I'm run up TO
town with you. Terrier. II you Ike.
You can go and do the business and
meet me later. and wen come back
tomorrow together. eh?'
no" the word came sharply from
Joans lips.
All there men turned and looked
at her. She stood with one hand
pressed to her lips with an almost
school giriish act Of repression. The
hot color had rushed to her face.
she laughed almost Historically.
Don't stare at me like that" she
said shrilly. Cant I say anything
without being stared at as II i were
mad? Let Mr.. Ferrier go alone why
should we lose both our guests. Don't
you go, Teddy. Stay down here with
me. | can't stay in this dun place
without someone"
She moved over 70 Major. she
slipped a hand under his arm, rails
ing her face to his coaxingly.
Terrier. watching. saw the sudden
look OF passion which Major flashed
down al her. saw the eager way his
hand covered hers as IL lay on ms
sleeve. and for an instant everything
went red TO his eyes. He haroiy
heard Hastings eager voice talking
of trains. and an early lunch. He an
swered at random. he had eyes and
ears only for the man and girl before
him
IT really ought to 60. you know.
Major was saying doubuully. lie
seerner torn between the desire 10
stay and the wish to 80. He pulled
his mustache with his free hand
still looking down at the girl Pres
entity they moved away together.
Majors dark head bent over Joan's
fair one
Ferricr listened paasiveiy while
Hastings ordered lunch at once. ana
teiephoned for a trap 70 take them
to the station.
1T can walk" Ferrier objected im-
patiently. But Hastings would not
hear of IL; he overdid the hospitality
in his eagerness-
With the luncheon gong. Joan and
Major came In from the garden. joan
was talking and laughing. She
avoided looking at Ferrier.
I'm coming up with you after
ALL" said Major. helping himself to
claret. II really ought TO go, and
| can't always have the pleasure OF
your company"
You're most ungallant," Joan de-
clared pouting. After I asked you
to stay. too?" She devoted herself
to Major during the who're ineAi. ohc
leased him and flirted with him out
rageously.' Terrier longed to spring
up and send the table, with It's
dainty glass and silver. crashing
over.
As soon as he could. he escaped
upstairs. He sat down dazedly on
the side OF the bed.
What fooiery had made him say
he had business In town. He had
none-he knew no one there but the
other Ralph Hastings, and how could
he walk into his diggings. unasked.
after the way he had received him
at the hotel. and with Major for com
pany7
Terrier cursed himself as he
thought of it. and of the way Joan
had deliberately flirted with the man.
He went downstairs again slowly.
and across the carpeted hall to the
dining room. Major and Joan stood
In the window-the mans arm light
Ia. apcfrciad tho slim viii O. robed fig