Evening star., 1921-09-18

day at ail?"
mo: i think not, thank you" She
moved tTward the door; , then hest
sudden change Of voice. what sort Of
man is Mr.. Furnival?'
fairly well OF. but rather mean. We
used to be quite chums at one time.
till I went broke-I think told you"
why do you ask~
The length of the room was be-
tween them now. across 1t their eyes
met.
"Because." said Phillis. "he has
asked me to marry him. that's all"
She opened the door and closed it
again softly behind her.
About s o'clock Billy let himself
into the house and went up to his
cosy rooms. The door stood ajar.
light burned within: as he entered a
man looked up from the depths of his
favorite chair-it was Furnival! Billy
crossed the room.
You can get out of here" he said
Furnival rose to his feet. he was
smiling. though a little pale.
my dear chap"
You can get out of here" Billy re-
peated Erimly. "And don't come back
Furnival shrugged his shoulders.
"Phillis has told you. of courser
he submitted airfly.
Miss Clyne has told me that you
known you to be-" said Billy with
ominous calm.
Furnival laughed. a laugh that
sounded like an insult.
"At least" he said with detestable
infection. II shall always have the
privilege of knowing that I have
kissed your charming fiancee." he
paused. "WhichA-I am open to bet
ten ten pounds-is more than you have
Billy doubled his fist and struck
FurnivaI in the face.
Take that" he gasped breathless-
ly: Take that. you dirty cad"
The blow sent Furnival staggering
back. and tumbled him into the chair;
arm uprafsed to shield his head.
"I'll have the law on you." he stut-
Billy twisted his knuck1es in the
others collar and dragged him to the
He flung it wide. with a bang that
brought Pierce up the stairs.
Now get out" said Billy furiously.
"And you. Pierce. bear witness that
kicked this man out of my room"
Pierce. returning noiselessly. found
his master sitting in the armchair
by the fire. his head in his hands
He mixed a brandy and soda at the
sideboard and carried IT to him on
tray.
Begging your pardon. sir" he said
in his expressionIess voice. But that's
what you ought to have done months
ago
Billy was having a late breakfast
YOU'D better come around and see
Phlllis," she said. 'The whole room
was talking about her and that old
man Seldom last night at Lady
She rang of impatient1y.
Billy walked across the park.
y y <
DAINTY laudaulette passed him:
"A woman was at the wheel. She
looked over her shoulder at Billy. The
car stopped.
Billy started and flushed: it was
vi Challoner.
Billy" she called to him in Il
pretty shrili voice
Goodness. man. don't scowl at me
SO. I'm all alone. Step in, and I'll
drive you wherever you're going"
Billy obeyed reluctantly.
Nice stories I've been hearing
about you." she said with a mis-
chievous note in her voice. Il hope
they're not true. Billy
Il don't know what you mean,'
stifiy.
"Oh. yes you dol mean about
this girl you've picked up. l saw
your Phillis the other night with Lady
Mary in the stalls" she burst into her
shrill laughter again; oh: Billy. you
are such a duner!" she said.
Il am glad you are SO amused" he
said stimy.
Amused! Heavens. knew the girl
directly 1 saw her. wonder she
! hasn't been recognised before; it only
ciety.' as you call it,"
Il don't know what you mean. Why
should people recognise herr he
swallowed hard. who is she. then -
he asked with an effort.
her when we've been togethsr-you
and 1-scores Of times. Why. my
dear. sweet, innocent. she's one Of the
! mannequins from Eiise's."
vi Challoner was watching him
Tlth a%Ssed pnor og Eyes R;,v sSa sSu nsxs5
a ripple of laughter.
Billy threw the rug from his knees.
IF you'll put me down here" he
said: his voice sounded hinty- vi
Challoner stopped the car at once
'Eilly. come and see me some-
times
I'm no richer than I was a month
ago" he said. in a hard voice. He
raised lis hat and strode away to
Lady Mary's.
ready for walking. Her pretty face
Il waat to speak to you.- he sad.
will you please wait a moment?
She frowned ana followed him into
the drawing room.
.'1s It true that you were a manee,
what II it 10 true.'' she asked.
You ought to have told me-" Billy
spoke angrfly. "AN London will be
talking about it and langhtng At me-"
full II you despise me because have
had to earn my own living, what DO
you imagine I thfnk Of you for being
willing to pretend to be engaged to
me for the money yea thfnk I've
got?'
"But Furnivai has rot hold Of the
story, and he'll see that the papers
get hold of the trnth. I VAS q fool
to ever have anything to do with
yoa; F."
She stopped him with . gesture.
on neeQ say no YUOfS. 0ne B1f0
proudly. 'I set you free Of my own
free will. I told Lady Mary I would
leave her house today, and 50 I shall. :"
you can't! Think of the scandal!
Think of-Phillis: You don't mea.
what you say! Listen to me. dear.
I spoke hastily. Bat It Wae q bit Of
shock to find-to-heAr-'
He caught her unwilling hand in
his Listen to me. Phi1lis! ri DO all
can to help you. II you'il only give
up this old man Seldom. He has q