The Washington herald., 1921-04-17

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II wish he hadn't made Ted drink to-
night" Lefty said worriedly when Edith had
gone. Captain Stratton will be in before
midnight, and Ted should meet him. Ted
can't stand It. and Bert Kendrick ought to
know better
SHOULD her Constable asked with sneer-
ing innuendo.
-oh. WELL" she said enismatically. sup
pose he can't do anything here"
Her tension frightened as Edith did not
return do you suppose Ted needs me7"
she asked. held only by her sense Of lack
Of acquaintanceship with the Hendricks. but
so pitiful in her perturbation over the boy
that I arose.
III see" said and went after Edith.
went through the living room toward
the other porch. intending to call the trio
there with assumed levity; but at the scene
which faced me I halted. Kendrick was
bending over Ted Leffen. directing his hand
over paper. literally steering his signature
on the document Edith stood back Of q
chair across from them. her arms folded, her
lips tight, her eyes stormily contemptuous.
Not even when Kendrick passed her the
paper and she slipped it down into her dress
did she abate jot Of her scorn. She stayed,
, looking down at the boy who sprawied over
the table. while Kendrick passed her and
went out upon the other veranda. After a
little Leffen lifted his heavy head and saw
her.
IT'S all right he told her with maudlin
emphasis. "Bert's looking after It SO Lefty
and get half. and Ross gets half. Promised
him half. and got to keep a promise, even II
he don't need what I'll need Ross hasn't
wife. and I'll have Lefty. but"
What did you say?" Edith Hendricks
voice cut across the silence with the sharp
ness of q singing whip.
I'm have Lettyd but
Are you sure, quite sure" she bent over
the table till she had caught his attention.
that Ross Stratton has not married?'
why. Of course he hasn't. Loved a girl
in Halifax long time ago. Said she'd wait
for him till he'd won a stake. Married an.
other man. They all do-au but Lefty"
But he told me that" She ceased to
speak when she saw that Leffen,s head had
sunk back on the table, but she stood star
ing at him as II he held answer to some
, puzzling conundrum Of life. As IL she had
found what she sought, she turned her gaze
- outward from him. Then. slowly, as If it
were a rite. she took from within her gown
the folded document which Kendrick had
given to her and lighted it at the fame of
one Of the candles. holding it over a silver
plate until it had gone to ashes. Without
another look at Leffen. she went back to her
guests. Il think" she said to Lefty, that
it would be just as well If Ted stayed awhile!.
Il wouldn't mind" the girl said, trying to
be brave under the lashes Of humiliation. IL
it weren't that he's to meet Captain Stratton
tonight It's important. too. something about
registry of the mine claim in both their
Names"
Edith Kendrick's hand went to her throat as
she followed Constable's look and saw big
man coming through the dusk.> r.-
Hes not coming-here?g she gasped.
why not?" Rendrick asked evenly,
though his eyes burned in points of light.
Il used to know him out in the Rand
Haven't seen him In years.
He struck a match futilely and flung it
away with a curse. His face lowered in
command as he watched his wife. but. with
out looking at him. she circled the chairs
80 that she was standing by, the door when
Stratton came to 1t. For a moment they
looked at each other. two souls 80 evidently
destined for meeting that all the circun.
stance of their contact fell away until Ken.
drick spoke.
Wont you como I'm? =" he asked, contriv-
ing to put q sneer INTO the invitation.
I'm looking for Lehen." the big man said.
opening the door. was told he was here"
IA bad fen>@ >sanstabie. greeting him with