The Washington times., 1921-03-07
By Jane Mclean.


~HRIsToPHER DARLEY had
reason 70 express surprise at
~ the message OF his butler In
viting Slower TO remain at the IN
vitation of Miss barley. In the nrst
place, he was not aware that ms
daughter knew Slower; and In the
next place, he wondered how she
had learned OF his arrival
However, he could not question
Peter before his unbidden and un-
welcome guest. and. submitting
with as good a grace as he could
summon, he prepared to lead the
way TO the ballroom.
Mr.. Slower was well pleased with
himself; he even fiattered himseii
that Miss barley had actually made
the request delivered by Peter.
But Peter was under no such de-
lusion. He had had no word from
the daughter of the house. ana ne
had acted on his own Initiative IN
requesting his arch enemy 10 re-
main. 49,, III.
had wondered what the ex-warden
could want of his employer on
gala night; such business as Stover
had TO transact must be very
pressinx II IL could not wait Tor
office hours. Perhaps In the BACK
of his brain there was suspicion
that Stoyer's business had some
thing to do with him. At any rate.
he determined to take advantage
of the friendly pillar that had
served him before under similar
circumstances and listen to the
nature of the callers errand.
BLACkMAIL.
Fortunately. there was a mirror
40 placed that he could get very
good view of the two men in the
library. It did not interest the
butler At all when the ex-warden
began to talk stocks; they meant
nothing whatever to him. out
when he saw Slower take out the
proxy and hold it with a warning
IN the older man to stand away
he began to see that here wac
niece of blackmail under polite
camouflage. ,.
Not even Homer Carleton could
have been more astonished than
the butler when he heard Stovers
uItimatum, and Darley's answer
made Peter not only his friend,
but an active partisan against tne
USED to thinking quickly. the
Young man evolved plan OF actioh
which seemed to him most likeiy 10
effect the purpose he had In view
and proceeded to put 1t into prAc-
tice.
Hence the mysterious message
of which ne offered no explanation
to Mr.. barley as the trio made
their way to the ballroom:
Homer Carleton was still show
ting his bag full of tricks to an
amused and mystihed audience
vhen barley entered with Stover.
So enRrossed were the others that
their strange entrance was scarce
Iv noticed, and Darley DELAYED ior
. ,ull in the proceedings before IN
PRODUCING his guest.
HEAVY ATTEMPT.
Meanwhile Carlotta had been
waiting with q good deal OF re-
strained patience for the cup ana
saucer which she had asked tho
butler to bring. 1t was brought not
by Peter. but BY Clare.
Il asked Peter to bring this
aid tho young woman
He IL very busy, Miss Daf'ey'.
and he thought I would do"
Miss barley pouted. "Here's tho
eup and saucer, Homer.
..Thank you" said Homer. ne
cup and saucer stay. but the pretty
maid goes" .. 49,
would you rather have II the
etber way?- asked the girl
S,.ver was edging close TO DAT
ley. -Your daughter has askec
me to remain. but I've never met
her-that is oficially."
.Cariotta," barley called let me
present Mr.. Slower"
The girl bowed. She rememoereo
slower from the evening he had
gaxed so unblushingly at her.
-Mr. Slower. haven't / seen you De-
fore7'
81 don't know whether youVe
seen me, but I've seen you. al
right he said with heavy Al
tempt to be gallant.
Homers voice cut off further Az
tempts at conversation. NOW
then. ladies' and gentlemen the
famous cup and saucer trick which