New-York tribune., 1921-02-13

few minutes to show me those new
Japanese prints Jim's so crazy about,
and while I was gone you came along
and skipped with Billie and the car
suppose this prolonged absence
means that you've been making head
way and want to try Billie's blan-
dishments on your father. You might
have stopped to tell me about it,
though. Of course, no one would
have stolen the roadster with Billie
inside. SO Pm not worrying, but hope
all the signs are favorable. I'll take
the trolley down to fathers and see
what an evening session will do. I'll
be back early in the morning. Don't
worry about me. ROGER.
The Hopper tore the note into
pieces, which he thrust into his
pocket. Having taken the precau-
tion to leave all the doors slightly
ajar and open a living room window
he prolonged his study of the cottage,
and the longer he remained the more
puzzled he became.
AS he flashed his lamp over the
living room table his eye caught sight
of letter propped against a lamp.
1t was inscribed to Roger Livingston
Talbot, but one doesn't write letters
to two-year-old child. That the
note was designed for Shaver's
father struck The Hopper as highly
reasonable assumption. He dropped
on the floor in a dark corner, and
by the light of his pocket lamp read
the following communication, written
in the bold hand of one who has
dipped ink in haste:
7 O'Clock.
Dear Roger: I've just got back from
fathers, where l spent the day talk
ing over our troubles. | didn't tell
you was going, knowing you
wouldn't want ME to, but it seemed
best, dear, so hope you've forgiven
me. And now I find that you've gone
off with Billie, and l know, of course,
that you have gone to your fathers
to see what you can do. I am going
in to New Haven to Minnie Bakers
about that maid she thought we might
get, and, If possible, bring the girl
home with me. Don't trouble about
me, as the trolley is perfectly safe,
and, as you know, l rather enjoy
prowling around at night. You will
certainly get back before | do, but
If Pm not here don't be alarmed.
We are SO happy in each other,
dear. If only we could get our fool
ish fathers to cheer up and stop hat
ing each other how beautiful every
thing would be! Minnie always has
lot to say, and it may take me
little while to find that maid, you
know, but 1 shall certainly be back
by 10.
Love always. MURTEL.
THE HOPPER'S experience of the
epistolary art had been the
slightest, but even to a mind unso-
phisticated in this form of literature
it was evident that Shaver's parents
were involved in some sort Of diff
Guilty that was attributable not to
any lessening of affection, but to a
row between their respective fathers.
Anxious and depressed, he thrust
Muriels note into his pocket, and
was moving toward the door when
some one crossed the veranda with
a light, eager step. AS he darted
toward the window the living room
lights flashed up and woman's
voice called out sharply:
Stop! Stop right where you are
or III shootW
The authoritative voice Of the
speaker, the quickness with which
she had appraised the situation and
leveled her pistol, brought The Hop
per to an abrupt halt in the middle
OF the room, where he fell across the
keyboard of grand piano with a
discordant crash. He turned, cover
ing, to find tall young woman ad-
vancing toward him slowly but de-
terminedly.
The Hopper blinked at the leveled
gun and glanced beyond it into a
pair of fearless dark ewes In all his