The Washington herald., 1921-04-17

cordiality tempered with surprise, and given
Lefty Williams a Difference which seemed to
assuage the girls wounds He did not look
again at Edith. although she kept standing
in his path
Hes here Kendrick said. moving to-
ward the dining porch and noddins to STRAIT.
ton to follow him.
For the instant while he hesitated Edith
stood rigid. Then, impelled by swift deci-
sion. she held out her hand to stratton.
IF you had come an hour ago." she said.
Il should have asked you why you didn't
bring your wife. have just learned that
you had not married"
who said had?" He nung back his
head.
You did. didn't you, Bert?- She turned
to Kendrick. who waited impatient, At the
door to the other veranda-
"when!" stratton snapped out th.
query.
Two weeks before we were married.
wasn't it7-
But you knew-- stratton flashed At
Kendrick.
I'D heard 1t somewhere" Kendriek
countered.
"oh. no. Edith said. facing them both.
1T wasn't that you'd merely heard II. Bert
You said you were at the wedding in Cape
Town. You told me the girl's name, Veronica
Mather. I haven't forgotten it you see
She had golden hair hadn't sher And q
mint Of money? And wasn't there ever q
Veronica Mather?- She tried to keep her
voice light in rairery but Seneeth Stratton's
steady look 1t broke.
There was a girl named Mather out
there" he said, but didn't know her. I
wasn't married then or afterward How did
you happen to make that mistake. Ken
drick?"
I really don't know" Kendrick said In
differently. want to see Lefen?-
He opened the door for Stratton, and the
other man, without a glance At him, went
through. We could hear the murmur Of
voices from the other porch. They rose into
angry alteration. Ted Lefen's among them.
I. heard Hendricks disagreeably taunting
laugh. and his words: you're just a little
too late. Stratton. after all Leffen signed
over the mine to me-"
Its lie." I heard stratton declare. with
Ted Leffen's groan rushing after his words.
81 signed something. Ross. He told me It
was nothing but a memorandum Of what I'd
owed him for drinks. He's been getting it in
for me. l signed it. o, God"
Even as he spoke Lefty Williams was on
her feet. He didn't" she moaned to me.
He couldn't have!" To the blanched agony
Of her face longed to be able to give denial
Of the truth, but the memory Of the scene
had witnessed swept over me.
I'm afraid he did," had to tell her.
- She sprang forward. finging open the door
Of the other porch. You didn't make him
do that?" she cried to Kendrick. why. it's
terrible. It's theft It's cheating. You
made him drunk just for that. How dare
you? You'll have to give it back to him.
tell you. You must give it back"
you're not threatening me. are you1"
Kendrick sneered. Your memory must be
very, very poor II you think you dare DO
that Lefty. my dear. Perhaps you've forgot
ten that"
i've forgotten nothing" the girl SAID
But I don't care about anything in the
world but Ted. You shan't ruin him. tell
you. Before let you do that III"
IF you care 50 much for him." Rendrick
said. ARE you sure that you want him to
know-what do?" = -.
The Implication Of the mans threat sent
her back against the wall. but she turned
to stratton Cant We force him to give
It upf" she pleaded. Cant We prove that
he got It by fraudf"
wen see str..ton ..ld.t
She moved to where Leften sat Imply at
the table. Ted. dear" she said. ARE you
quite sure you signed any paper!" sobered
by the shock Of the realization. he nodded