The Washington times., 1922-05-21

cient servant he's ever known. He
certainly does know how to do
most things pretty we'll. He drives
better than Haines. That's the
chauffeur. But he's a good lot
younger than Frost and more reck.
less. Mr.. Smithers says he thinks
my powers of persuasion would be
too much for him, and he'd take
risks-but he's rather nice. Haines,
mean-though, Of course, Frost is
a dear. Only you can't move him
by a hairs breadth. He takes his
orders from Mr.. Smithers, and Mr..
Smithers only
She paused for breath. Lees lip
twitched. There was something Of
bewilderment as well as a family
contemptuous amusement in her
eyes.
You certainly seem to have be-
come pretty familiar with this Mr..
Smithers and his household In a
remarkably short time!" she OBJ
served drily, and Terry bumped an
expressive shoulder.
Sure we have. told you in my
letter he's absolutely bowled over.
Can't understand it myself. Mother
isn't a bit the type I'd have thought
would appeal to him-he's one Of
those old gentlemen you read
about, you know, Lee-'old school,
courteous. charming. for the most
part, but with a rather fierce man.
ner, and inclined at times to be-
come explosive. Very white-very
bushy eyebrows-very stopped.
Speaks slowly. deliberately - al.
most hesitatingiy. And simply
rolling in money. OF course, moth
er's all over the place with excite
ment. Biggest catch she's landed
yet-if she pulls 1t off!" y
She gurgled at Lees protesting
Terry" and shifted Chicot to the
other arm.
mot that have much doubt she
will. He must mean business or
he wouldn't hang round like he's
doing. He comes every day-and
II he doesn't come to us he takes
mother out somewhere. Most often
he takes both Of us. He's a brick
like that. I've never had such a
scrumptuous time-theatres-fow.
ers-chocolates! And one or other
OF the cars to take US. Motherll
be pudding If she rides so much"
But. Terry"-Lee paused hesi-
tantly. Her eyes were troubled.
perplexed. She added, a moment
later: 1T seems such an extraordi-
narily sudden friendship-intimacy.
Who is Mr.. Smithers, anyway"
Again Terry shrugged.
81 don't know. But he has all
the. necessary credentials. You can
bet your life mother1l see to that
this time In fact, she said as
much, though she doesn't talk to
me about things often. And then
there are lots OF paragraphs about
him in the papers. He's going ali
out to get himself talked about
couldn't help II, with so much
money. oh you needn't curl your
lip, Lee. He's no parvenu."
Lee made little impatient
movement She did not answer,
and a moment later Terry's eager
hand jerked her TO a standstill be-
fore a big chocolate car upholstered
in soft fawn.
"Pm driving!" she announced.
$50 Frost came instead Of Haines.
Get in. I'm going in 'front.'
The man opened the door, wrap
ped a thin rug carefully about
Lees knees. and Terry. depositing
Chicot in her lap, whirled into her
seat before the wheel with a great
display OF long black legs. Lee
caught a glimpse OF a ladder in one
silk stocking and hole in the heel
Of the other, then. before Frost was
we'll In his seat the car jerked for.
ward.
Terry's driving was decidedly
erratic; but at those moments,
when Lee fully expected disaster,
Frost capably and silently took
command.
The older girl, snuggled in a
cushioned corner, with Chicot
curled blissfully beside her and oc-
casionally licking her wrist, grew
gradually conscious of a sense Of
soothed enjoyment. 1t lulled her
rasped memory Of the days shock, !