The evening world., 1921-02-24
cpgn 1921 The rTo Publishing THE Rev York EeunS "Or
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING iNsTALMENTs.

licious laugh.
MOLLY Stilwell, you're nothing but
baby vamp!" she said wickedly.
But Ffn not, that's just i'll tell
YOU the truth, I've known lots of men
but these are the first two who ever
prOpOsed--and in the same day
She opened her box of cigarettes
and selected one with a frown.
IAN the women In Rupert's family
smoke, you know, and I've simply got
to begin. But II Jim could see mel"
suddenly the funny side OF the
chuckled to herself. Jim Hikes the
clinging vine type, and l can be that
to perfection, but Rupert believes in
the modern woman and have TO be
that for him.
''varia, you're married. and you
cap help me- want you to meet
Rupert and then Jim, and tell me
what I'm going TO do. I'd hate TO
hurt Jim, really would, and | don'b
snow how I'd get along without him,
out Rupert Is so stunning!" She
sighed.
Varia consulted the watch on her
wrist. "I'll have to go or else"---
III you could do just this thing for
me. it's the last, thing III ever askl
Come home with me and meet Ru-
pert tonight
But dinner?"
'T'll telephone John and ten him
I've carried you off and he's to have
dinner at the club. TIN be good for
him TO see he can't have you every
minutel"
Molry rose and pushed back her
chair and Varia saw her dartins
across tho room. Naria sat there
very quietly for she knew that she
was giving in to Molly's whim for the
very reason that she was afraid to go
home. Afraid to face John. who
might be sullen or angry or curt.
And yet-and yet Molly clunE to
her and wanted her TO help. Perhaps
John would turn 70 her soon, and tell
her II had all been a mistake, that ne
loved her, as she wanted him 70 do.
MAY present Mr.. HamIinF'
After introducing the tall young
Engllshmhn to Varia AmOry, Molly
Stllwen retreated to the corner OF
the room and watched him under her
lark lashes.
He was very good to look at. VaEia
could read nothing in his reserved,
cold face, but she admitted TO herself
that she could see why Molly had
found him attractive.
His crisp light hair was brushed
smoothly back and his eyes were
pleasantly blue. He had the tanned
skin of a man who has been much
out of dOors' and his carriage was
that of a soldier.
II believe 1 have heard Miss Still
well speak of you" he said. clipping
his words in a way new to Varia-
"I hope she hasn't said anything
frightful about me-" Varia answered.
Rupert Hamlin lifted his eyebrows
and stared. Molly broke the rather
awkward silence by coming across
! the room and saying,
Have you a ciGarette, Rupcrt7"
He snapped open his case and
Molly selected one with care. She
lighted II slowly, quite aware that the
eyes OF the man were following her
graceful motions
Whats this, Molly7'' he asked, his
eyes on the great square diamond.
'Oh!" Molly looked with dismay
and then horror at the wrong en-
gagement ring that sparkled on her
finger
Their eyes met for a moment, the
one pair full OF chagrin, the other
Questioning.
Il forgot it, Molly stammered
while her cheeks blazed like poppies.
"Oh Varia, won't you play some
thing" she begged. She turned away
| and slipped off the diamond and put
it on the edge OF the mantel, while
Varia at the piano began to play a
soxtrot.
Shall we dancer the man asked
Molly.
They rolled up the rugs and shovel
back the chairs and Varia, watching
| them, saw them dancing slowl,,
smoothly about the long room. Molly.
her face tilted back dreamily, her
| cheeks rather pale, the young Ens-
lishman stiff but graceful, silent as
the girl.
The clock on the mantel struck
nine.
Molly tore herself out of his arms.
"Oh, shall have to ask you TO go
me, won't you, but"-her eyes were
full of entreaty. VAria watched them
as they went to the door.
| When Molly came back, a few min
utes later, her eyes were shining, her
hands were like Ice.
How did you like him, Varia? oh,
but he's furious, furious! He says [
viii have to make some explanation
and | just had to shove him out OF
the door. because told Jim to como
at nine!"
They both turned 10 see Jim Gather
on the threshold.
"Oh, Varia, this Is nice" Jim said
pleasantly, his long, dark face red
from the cold.
In spite OF the presence Of Varia
his eyes could not hide his feeling
for Molly.
He threw himself down on the
couch and the ash tray with a
cigarette still smoking cailEht hia
eyes. He looked over at Molly re-
gretfully. II say. you told me you
weren't going to smoke any more,
Mary" he said gravely.
Molly pleated a fold in her dress
then she suddenly hid her hand for
she had not changed engagement
rings,
Il did say wouldn't smoke for
you," Molly answered.
She was wondering degpenatelv
how she could get across TO the
> mantel and change engagement
rings without Jim's noticing.
Jim vas frowning. There wa
something the matter, an atInoqphsTS
OF tension that could not be biddSy
They all three turned Win reIIsS
when the maid at the door an
nounced, Something for You. ANsS
Molly; twas TO be given al oncel' ~
banded Molly a long white boT Win
l the giit letters OF the florist on the
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