The Washington herald., 1922-11-12
Co~.taued from Yester dog.

cannot marry him.
Cow.taued from Yesfes day.
Stranack took her hand and held
1t a minute.
"Ap revoir." he said. 81 shall call
on your father In a day or two and
tell him my views about you. you
Nadia tore her hand away and
the taxi bore her of.
The small and perfect drawing
room of Claudine Crayne's house
had emptied OF all its visitors but
one. The gaming rooms downstairs
were empty tonight. Claudine had
ners and now, marvellous In a
gown of peacock gauke. was loung-
ing on a divan. Opposite her
Theed, glossy. oozing seif-satisfac-
ton. was babbiing cheerfuily while
two stalwart servants removed the
bridge tables.
Presently the door shut behind
them and Claudine cut into the
stream OF ponderous inanities.
Il want to talk to you" she be-
gan, about that stunt of yours
that you put up the other night"
Theed settled himself more COM
fortably in his chair His quick
ear had noted something like nerv-
BUSINESS in the rich voice. 'She
wants to back out" he thought
swI.--y and his eyes narrowed.
i've had IT on my mind q good
bit." continued Claudine. She took
cigarette from a wonderfully
again. And I've come to the con-
clusion I don't like 1t. I'm sorry to
let you down, butt don't like it,"
Your first comment on It was
that 1t sounded good" Theed point
ed out amiably.
Il know. So II does. as a stunt.
But there's an aspect Of 1t that is
rather hard to swallow"
She rose and began to pace the
room. every supple line of her
swinging in perfect harmony, her
gown shining like some exotic
plumage.
Theed waited. his eyes now the
merest slits in his face.
I'm as thorough a crook as you.''
she went on. but there have al
ways been limits. I'd stand in with
you on this. IL my daughter were
not involved. I've done the dirty
on my own child once and I'm not
going to do it again. In fact / give
you fair warning that I'm going to
do all in my power to put her In
her rightful place"
Theed was too clever a man to
lose his temper
Il confess I'm touched he muir
INJURED. Touched to the heart
How sacred Is this mother instinct.
Let us peer into the future. / see
a poor. neglected. dociIe little girl
the docility is important-ready
to fall in the arms of a mother
more sinned against than SHINING.
and-ask the said mothers advice
in the spending of her fortune"
You cold-blooded brutew hissed
Claudine. She had wheeled on him
painting. ablaze with rage.
"Al right said Theed imperturb-
ably. "Well put this motherhood
stuff to the test. You were quite
right the other night. know
where your daughter is. I'll take
you to her now IL you have the
nerve"
what cried Claudine. taken
aback. rs she-is she in London
Is she-near at hand?"
she has been within ten min
utes' walk of this house for some
Ave years" answered Theed.
Theed was scoring heavily
Claudiue was wholly unable to con-
ceal her agitation. Theed watched
her.
Il thought you wouldn't have the
nerve to face it, he sneered.
idiot. It's past midnight Shell!
be in bed
20. no, she won'tw replied Theed
with a low chuckle.
Take me-" gasped Claudine.
She sped from the room. Theed
went into the hall. where, a minute
later. she appeared in a dark cloak
which covered her from throat to
ankles. with an ,imperious gesture
she drew him away from the from,
door. before which his car was
waiting.
This way"
A few yards away a high powered
car waited. the driver passive In his
| seat.
Tell him where to CO." sad
| Claudine curtly.
stop at the corner OF the O,d
Kent road" Theed directed the man
! We stepped into the car. in which
| Flautire had already seated her.
| self. end the car darted forward.
Theed was no mean student oi
huran nature. He knew that the
woman sitting motionless during the
short drive was preparing herself
for a Ehock-trying to whip up ths
maternal instinct which had been
dead these twenty years. He grinnet
to himself.
The car slowed and stopped
wait here" he told the chauffeur
Then he helped Claudine to alisht
"We-shali not be away long"
IT'S a short walk and the pave
ments are quite dry" he said. a.
he led her down narrow sid,
street. Ano her turn and two police.
men confronted them. eyeing then
suspiclously. and then:
Lost your way. sir?" asked on,
Of them.
NO. thanks" repliedI Theed. and
they passed on.
Here we are"