The evening world., 1921-06-04
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING ihsrAlMEhrs.

whereupon tho trio, all well dressed
men about town, began to chatter
openly about little deal in da-
mopds in which they had been inter-
ested.
Hugh took but little notice OF the
conversation. II was drawing near the
time when Inc would go forth to meet
Dorise at their trySting place. In
anxiety he went into the adjoining
room and there smoked alone until
lust past eleven o'clock, when he put
on his hat and went forth into the
dark, deserted street.
Opposite High Street, kensington
Station, jlc jumped upon Il bus, and
at five minutes to midnight alighted
at the Marble Arch. On entering the
park he quickly found the scat he had
indicated as their meeting place and
sat down TO wait.
A few seconds later she confronted
him. lie gr;Lsped her warmly by the
hand. The black cloak she was wear
ing revealed that she wore Il handsome
jade Colorcd evening gown. while her
shoes were not those one would wear
for "A promenade in the park.
Welcome at last, darlng." he cried
Il was wondering If you could get
away, after all"
II had a little difficulty," she laughed
I'm at "A dance at the GordonS i'll
Grosvenor Gardens, but ] managed to
slip out, find "A taxi and run along here.
/ fear l can't stay long or they VIII
miss me-"
Even five minutes with you Is bliss
TO me, darling" he said, grasping her
ungloved hand and raising 1t to his
lips.
But when will all this endo'
quered the girl, as together they
strolled in the direction of Bayswater.
1T will only end wnen / am able TO
discover the truth" he said vaguely.
Meanwhile, / am not disheartened,
darling, because-because l know
that you believe in me-that you still
trust me-"
But, Hugh, l wish you would be
more frank with me-" the girl said.
There are several things you are
hiding from me-
Il admit it, darling" he blurted
forth, holding her hand in the dark
ness as they walked.
The young man was again silent
for some moments. Then he ex-
claimed:
yet, after all, can see no ray OF
hope"
"Why?"
Because am hard up. Very hard
up. At present I am existing IN an
obscure lodging practically upon the
charity OF man upon whom. so far
as | can ascertain, | have no claim
| whatsoever"
The notorious thief-ch?"
! Hugh nodded, and said:
! THAT fact in itself mystificS me.
I can see no motive. I am entirely
innocent OF the crime attributed to
me. and IL Mademoiscllc were in her
right mind she would instantly clear
me of this terrible charge"
but why did you go to her house
that night, Hugh?"
"As | have already told you, went
! to demand a reply to a single qucs-
ton ! put to her" he said. But
please do not let US discuss the affair
further. The whole circumstances are
painful to mc-more painful than yod
can possibly imagine. One day-and
| hope il will be soon-you will fully
realize what all this has cost me"
The girl drew long breath.
IT know, Hugh she said. Il
know, dear-and ] do trust you
They halted and he bent and im-
pressed upon her lips fierce caress.
So entirely absorbed in each other
were the pair that they failed to
notice the slim figure of a man ~n)
had followed the girl at some dis
lance. Indeed, the individual in qucs.
ton had been lurking outside the
house in Grosvenor Gardens, and had
watched Dorise leave. At the end OF
the street taxi was drawn up at Il.
curb awaiting him. Dorise had hailed
the man, but his reply was Su!;J
Engaged"
Then, walking about a couple II
hundred yards, she had found another
and entering it had driven to the
Marble Arch. But the first taxi had
followed the second one, and in it WAS
the well-setup man who was silently
watching her in the park as she
) walked with her lover toward the
Victoria Gate.
What can ] say to YOU in reply
to your words of hope, darling?" eX-
claimed Hugh as he walked beside
her. II know full we'll how much all
this must puzzle you. Have you
seen Brock"
'Oh! yes. I saw him two days ago.
He called upon mother and had tea.
managed to get five minutes alone
with him, and l asked II he had heard
from you. He replied that he bad
! not. He's much worried about you"
us he, dear old chap? / only wish
| dare write to him and give him my
, address"
81 told him that you were back
again in London. But did not give
him your address. You told me to
disclose nothing"
quite right, Dorise," he said.
They had banei IN the dark path.
and again their lips met in fond
caress. Behind them was the silent
watcher. the tall man who had fol-
lowed Dorise when she had made her
secret exit from the house wherein
the gay dance was still in progreS.
An empty seat was near, and with
one accord the lovers sank upon it,.
= Hugh still hDldinG the girls soft
, hand.
,, Il must really co." she said.
!. Mother will miss me, no doubt"
And George Shcrrard too-ehY'
= asked her companion bitterly.
, "TIe may. of course"
, "Ah! Then he is with you to-
night"
r Yes. Unfortunately he is. An,
= Hugh, how I hate his exquisite and
o superior manners. But he Is such n
c close friends Of mothers that l can
never escape him."
r And he st" pesters you with hts
$ attentions. - coarse" remark I'd
Hugh in a hard voice.