The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-07
A CURIOUS COURTSHIP
 Rv w IT. NICHOLS
By w. T. NICHOLS

Still Penney declined to be divertad from his inquiry. You kept no ae- count, Mrs. Dunton?'
 "Of course not. Roy attended to that."
 And accurately" said Trachtman. I'm sure you did, Roy" cried his aunt. "1 trust you absolutely, you know, with everything" S'Even with a key of the safe 2" It was the girl who spoke low and tense ly, and she pointed at the open door of the old strong box. Trachtman swore under his breath. Mrs. Dunton leaned forward, peer ing at the tell-tale evidence Of the raid upon her papers. A hand sought the mysterious recess of her dress, which, as it chanced. was one of the garments she had donned in haste, and presently her key was produced. She stared at it in bewildered fash ion, then started in turn at the other key protruding from the lock. Now. it happened that, like some pher persons who are sure of few hings, Mrs. Dunton was especially fixed in her opinion of the few. The single existing key of the safe was something beyond doubt or question Yet before her eyes was duplicate, an effective duplicate, as was estab- nShed Dy the open dOOF "Roy!'' There was an unwonted note of authority in her voice. Roy! am surprised beyond measure. It isn't right; it's all wrong: it's presum- ing upon my confidence Trachtman smoothed his brow, and strove to speak lightly. My dear l aunt, you forget that again and again l you've suggested that I might have a key. What has occurred is that at last I've followed the suggestion. I should have mentioned the ctrcum- stance, but forgot to do SOL I'm sorry you forgot Mrs: Dun l ton was nearer grim cyinism than she often approached. There was even a sort of frmness about the line of her mouth. which encouraged Penney 70 venture to push the advantage he had l gained.
 Mrs. Dunton, will you take the trouble to count what money you have in the safe?" he asked. You Know, I hope. how much should be there" His hostess rose to her feet. ''There is-that is, there should be about three hundred dollars. I paid some bills yesterday and counted what was left. And, for once at least, I haven't forgotten She moved toward the nouseno old treasury, but Trachtnan stepped in her way.
 You needn't take the troub1e.'' he said. 'I drew upon your cash for a hundred just now. fully intended to credit you with the loan, so it would have been all the same in the eno. And, having made this explanation, suggest that we go back to our orig inal topie-not my debts, but Miss Drake's debts. and how she proposes to Hquidate them" The purpose and. determination faded from his aunt's face. Again her lips trembled; again her eyes were dimmed in tears. She staggered toward the old davenport and dropped upon it. 'fF1irst Margaret; now Roy! There's mob ody I can trust. Oh. wish the earth would open and swallow me upi''
 Trachtman laughed savagely. 'The earth will do nothing Of the sort, my dear. It will permit you to live and devote yourself to the col1ec- ton of what is owed you, beginning, let us say, with the contribution Of the fair. if f1clhle, Margie. I own I'm a bit curious as to the number of it's making"
 And l." said Penney impulsive,y. fthave an idea may speedily en-
 
 from a coat pocket. caught up g. pen from the desk. and wrote rapidly. Then he approached Mrs. Dunton, a slip of pink paper in his fingers. 'fThis represents the amount I be- lieve Miss Drake owes you," he said. i've tried to make the estimate ac- curate, and I can vouch- that the check is good. Frankly. I couldn't have advanced the sum our friend
 
 this we'll enough" The girl gave a little cry of protest and tried to catch the slip of pink paper as he dropped it in Mrs. Dun tons lap. Also that lady put out blindly objecting hand. escaping which the check fiuttered to its des- tined place.
 Penney caught the girls arm. Be lieve me, this is the best way out of it-the best for everybody" he said quietly.
 But can't permit you to give me such help It's out of the question This is all my own.''
 She struggled to break from his hold. but struggled vainly; while Mrs Dunton, full of a new hope. raised stera ming eyes and burst into a cry
 of entreaty.
 "Oh, isn't it true. after all? You are really Hubert aren't you the Hubert Penney we waited for so long?''
 Herbert, not Hubert" he answer ed gently. s'But the important things that I'm a Penney. And I've come at last, ready and willing to take the place of the missing member of the family"
 And discount the family bills mighty liberally.'' Trachtnlan inter posed.
 '"To the extent of ys the grating agents percentage.' the other retort- ed.
 But Mrs. Dunton was in no mooc to rest content with such exchanges. You haven't yet told us who you are," she declared. Penney glanced at the girl and found that she would not meet his eye.
 There's little to tell. Mrs. Dunton," said he. ''In a sort of an engineer. and my business is out West. I'm YY1yv hoe %1 al a