Evening star., 1922-06-18
he works." she asked curiously.

the works." she asked curiously.
MY poor concerns will keep. Miss
Trenton" A charming smile robbed
the words of any offense Il don't
think it was to discuss me that you
came tonight. My note. 1 suppose.
Am I to be rebuked?"
NO" she answered slowly. Il am
to be enlightened, please"
Have you spoken to Strongley
about it?' he asked after a pause.
She raised her eyebrows.
Il asked Mr.. Strongley what was
the matter with the men, after lunch
today"
II stand corrected" With an ex-
pressionless face John Morrison held
out a heavy silver cigarette box to
her. but she shook her head
NO, thank you" she said curtly,
But please smoke yourself if you
want to-"
And what did Mr.. Stronsley say"
asked the man.
Nothing" She stared at the fire
with a little frown. He didn't seem
to know, but he said he'd find out
and ring me up. He hasn't done so.
and l want to know, Mr. Morrison
know the truth. There's something
radically wrong down there. What Is
it,"
TOHN MORRISON thoughtfully lit
} cigarette and leaned against the
mantelpiece, staring down at her.
May 1 ask you one or two ques-
tions, Miss Frenton-questions which.
though they may sound impertinent,
are not intended in that spirit?"
Yes" She looked UP at him stead
lily. But don't promise to answer"
How long ago did you meet Her
bert Strongley?'
About a year"
And how long was it before you
got engaged to him." ~
She shifted a little in her chair.
Not very long" she said at length.
He did not press the point. though
q faint smile hovered for a moment
on his lips.
Not very long" he repeated softly.
Are you quite sure, Miss Trenton
and this is very important question
are you quite sure that You haven't
made a mistake?'
ut may be important, but it's one
I absolutely refuse to answer" She
faced him angrily. What business
is it of yours?"
Absolutely none-at the moment"
he said quietly. But you've come to
me to find out what the trouble is.
And if you have not made any mis-
take with regard to your engage
ment l advise you to carry out the
suggestion contained in my note. Get
YOUR fiance away from Frenton's and
keep him away. both before and after
YOUR marriage. It will come. I'M
asfne, as a blow to your father, but
Won can easily turn it into q COM
pany."
"You mean-that the men don't like
Herbert?" She forced herself to ask
the question.
IT mean," he answered deliberately.
that the men loathe and detest him,
and that only the love they have for
YOU and your father has STAYED of
trouble up till now. And even that
love will fail to avert q crisis after
we'll, after the regrettable episode
that happened yesterday"
what was it?" she demanded, and
her voice sounded dead to the man.
"I don't think we need bother as to
what it was" he said quietly. Shall
we leave it at the fact that however
excellent a husband Strongley may
make, as the boss of Frenton's he is
a complete failure" He bit his lip
as he saw the look on the girls face.
Then he went on in the same quiet
voice: Things lige this hurt. Miss
Trenton, but you are the type that
appreciates frankness And I tell
you quite openly that the men are
after your fiance, and I don't blame
them"
"You side with them. do yoa?" Size
,ars~ the words at him fiercely.