Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-02-20
CHAPTER IL

Thton's eyes were rtveted on the door
when 1t opened to admit tis visitor.
"Handsomer than ever" was his in
ward comment. Aloud, he said, ad-
vancing to meet her with outstretched
hand. How DO you do, Lady Banister ?"
The smile that lowered on the lips Of
the visitor when she entered the room
disappeared; something uncommonly like
pout took its place.
How do you, Mr.. 2" she said
with hooking emphasis on his name
taking the only chair In sight which he
had purposely drawn close to his own
before she came in.
you needn't call me that" he said IN
injured tones.
And you needn't have called me
what You did" she defended. II haven't
done anything to you"
We'll. good morning, DIANA" he said
selately.
as that better1' he asked, In a still
milder tone,
ats almost worse" she declared with
a puzzled glance DO you know. Larry,
that ever since I came home the whole
family has called me Diana It's Just
horrid. It's almost worse than Lady B.
every one call me Of. as they used to ?"
Don't you like your titleG" he asked,
noticing with Joy how easily his own
name has slipped from her tongue. He
fairly beamed with pleasure although he
wondered why an American girl should
marry title II she didn't want to be
called Ny Lady every time she was ad-
dressed.
"Ot course I Ike IT. but my own fam
ny are not supposed to call me Lady
Banistcr, you foolish old Larry"
But, Di, I'm not your family. nor any
member Of H." he corrected her. mot
even the most distant Relationship exists
between MS"
She looked at him IN utter amusement
Strengthened IN her chair, and began to
put on her gloves, which she had re-
moved
10 you deny that you ara my guar
dian1 That you consented 10 my mar
rlnce with Lord Banister. that you have
charge Of my affairs snd that I have al
ways come to Won for everything I have
ever hsd1 Haven't l coma TO you this
morning to settle this miserable jewel
buslness7 rs there any one else in New
York ] would have gone TO? Relation,
indeed. Isn't that relationship ?"
She spoke sharply, but Triton fancied
that she was more nervous than angry.
what you say is quite true, except
that 7 consented to your marriage with
Lord Banister" he said. My consent
was not asked; ! was told that you were
going TO marry him all 7 was asked TO
do was 70 draw up the settlement papers.
But that IS not TO the point, Di Your
happiness has always been the object OF
my life II that IS secured, nothing else
al nj % n hrIe
your mind OF any blood relationship be-
tween u.s.
"Then why should you object to be-
longing to our family?" she queried
Tilton Redeemed, but 10 cover his con
fusion he spoke coolly.
az didn't say that 1 objected 70 be-
longing to your family. 7 merely re-
minded you that we are. not related" he
said.
Di stood up and confronted him, fully
an inch taller than ~hen she came in.
Her lips were set Rngrily, and her eyes
flashed scorn.
Il think I understand you. at last, Mr.
Tutou." she said dIsdalnfully. You
have read that miserable drive !"-po mt
Ing to the pile Of newspapers-"and di-
gested every word Of 1t, and you are
ashamed Of any connection with my fam.
lily. ! win see that mother releases you
from the responsibilities of guardian
ship. In the meantime I will take my
business to a lawyer who is less SEN
sitive about his clients family connec-
tons"
Tilton was dazed, and for a second or
two speechless, but he followed her across
the room and reached the door first.
Then he turned around and faced her,
his back to the door.
As q lawyer who knew so well how
to plead his case, Tilton must have
known his business. hut to a casual by
stander his pleading must have sounded
simple, to say the least.
Don't call me Mr. Tllton, Di. can't
stand It," he said reproachfuIly. "Cau
me Larry or Larryklns, as you used TO,
although I don't approve OF pet names
after & mans grown up; stu If you
want to call me Fido I'll answer to It.
But please don't call me Mister Come
back and sit down and let me explain
how you have misunderstood me-"
She refused at once to return to her
seat, but she relaxed somewhat and lis
tened to his entreaties for forgiveness.
Then no reviewed the last FIVE years
since her marriage. He told her how