Evening star., 1922-03-26
By Richard Harding Davis

Ford rose suddenly. Lets go down
to the Savoy for supper" he said.
Supper" growled Ashton. What's
the use of supper? Do you suppose
| cold chicken and a sardine can keen
me from thinking?"
Ford placed his hand on the Others
shoulder.
You come with me-" he said
kindly. I'm going to do you q favor.
I'm going to bring you a piece of
luck. Don't ask me any questions"
| ne commanded hurriedly. Just take
| my word for it"
They had sat SO late over their
\ cigars that when they reached the
restaurant on the embankment the
supper room was already partly
| filled, and the corridors and lounge
were brilliantly lit and gay with
well-dressed women. Ashton re-
garded the scene with gloomy eyes.
Since he had spoken OF his wife he
| had remained silent, chewing saw.
agely on fresh cigar. But Ford was
grandly excited. He did not know
| exactly what he intended to do. He
was prepared to let events direct
themselves, but Of two things he was
assured. Mrs. Ashton loved her hus-
band. and her husband loved her As
the god in the car who was to bring
| them together. he felt a delightful
responsibility.
THE young men left the coat room
and came down the short flight OF
steps that leads to the wide lounge
of the restaurant. Ford, slightly in
advance. searching with his eyes for
Mrs. Ashton. found her seated alone
in the lounge. evidently waiting for
him. At the first glance she was
hardly to be recognized. Her low
cut dinner gown of black satin was
! the last word Of the new fashion: and
since Ford had seen her her blonde
hair had been arranged by an artist.
Her appearance was smart, elegant,
daring. She was easily the prettiest
and most striking looking woman IN
the room, and for an instant Ford
stood gazing at her, trying to find in
the self-possessed young woman the
deserted wife Of the steamer. She
did not see Ford. Her eyes were
following the progress down the hall
d
ward him
The thought of the happiness he
was about to bring to two young
people gave Ford the sense of a gen.
uine triumph, and when he turned to
Ashton to point out his wife to him
he was thrilling with pride and sat-
isfaction. His triumph received a be-
wildering shock. Already Ashton
had discovered the presence of Mrs.
Ashton. He was standing transfixed,
lost to his surroundings. devouring
her with his eyes. And then, to the
amaZement of Ford, his eyes filled
with fear. doubt and anger. Swiftly.
with the movement of a man duck
| ing a blow, he turned and sprang up
the stairs and into the coat room.
Ford. bewildered and more conscious
1 of his surroundings. followed him
lass quickly. and was in consequence
only in time to see Ashton, dragging
his overcoat behind him, disappear
into the courtyard. He seized his
own coat and raced in pursuit. AS
he raSl into the courtyard Ashton. in
the STRAND. was just closing the door
of a taxicab, but before the chauffeur
could free it from the surrounding
traffic Ford had dragged the door
open and Ieaped inside. Ashton was
huddled in the corner painting, his
face pale with alarm.
What the devil ails you?" roared
| Ford Are you trying to shake me?
You've got to come back. You must
speak to her."
Speak to her, repeated Ashton.
His voice was sunk TO a whisper. Tho
| look of alarm in his fSce was con-
fused with one grim and msnacfng.
/ did you know she was there?" he de-
manded softly. Did you take mo
there, knowing-?'
| "Of course 1 knew" protested Ford.
She's been looking for you-
His voice subsided in q squeak OF
amazement and pain. Ashton's left
| hand had shot out and swiftly seized
| his throat. With the other he pressed
! an automatic revolver against Fords
shirt front.
Il know she's been looking for me-"
the man whispered thickly. For two
years she's been looking for me.
know all about her But, who in hell
are you?"
! Ford. gasping and gurgling. pro-
| tested Loyalty.
| you are wrong" he cried. She's
! been at home waiting for you. She
thinks you have deserted her and
i your baby. I tell you she loves you,
you fool, she loves you"
The fingers on his throat suddenly
| relaxed: the flaming eyes of Ashton.
I ;r,t
wide with amazement.
Loves me-" he whispered. "Who
loves me?"
"Your wife," protested Ford: "the
girl at the Savoy. your wife,"
Again the fingers of Ashton pressed
deep around his neck.
THAT is not my wife," he whis-
pered. His voice was unpleasantfy
cold and grim. That's Baby Belle
with her hair dyed, detective lady
! of the Pinkertons. hired to find me.
And you know it Now. who are
you?"
To permit him to reply. Ashton re-
leased his hand. but at the same mo-
ment dug the revolver deeper tnte
the pit of Forfs stomach.
Quick he commanded Never
mind the girl. Who are you?"
Ford collapsed against the cush-
ioned corner Of the cab. And she
begged me to find you." he roared'
because she loved you. because she
wanted to believe in you!" He held
his arms above his head go ahead