The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-09-15

bestowed upon Fay. A nameless pres
ent, diamond pendant, winking back
the morning sunshine, made Esme re-
coil family and drop II back in Its
case. The phone was calling insistent-
ly little way off. Lapsley went brisk
ly to answer 1t and caught an impa-
tient drone, Hello! That you, Fayf
Thank the Lord, Worse than sudden
death to miss you. Say-X O and Q
bonds better than cash to do the trick.
Be sure you turn up heeled with 'em
else day after tomorrow will be
Judgment day for fair. Millions wait
ing round the corner-only got>t0 turn
it this one more time. So long Re
member-it's play and pay"
Lapsley after the first sentences had
not tried to interrupt. He had sense
that his eavesdropping was after a
sort providential The bulk OF Esme's
Inheritance was In X @ and Q bonds.
Fay must be planning to get hold OF
them somehow-he surely would not
dare to ask her to lend them outright
when neither she nor anybody else
knew very much about him. So John
explained that the can was for Fay
an impatient friend, wanting to
make sure Of his coming home. Esme
said abstractedly. HE is going.
shall take him to the early train To-
morrow-and say goodby."
Thereafter John excused himself
for the rest Of the day. No-he might
not get back for the big dinner, but
she would see him again; on that she
might depend. Then he rode away
headlong, but not toward his own
plantation. His way lay downward. He
knew tracing long-distance call was
likely to take time, plus influence, and
maybe ready cash. In the sparkling
gray dawn Dsme. alone In her road
ster, by Fay's insistence, picked up
her passenger and sped down the long
white road to town. They were to go
to minister living remote, on quite the
other side. Warned by phone, he
would be ready; would fill names into
the blank license Fay had got week
back. After he had done his office,
and been silenced by round fee.
they would drive blissfully along to-
gether again into the country, circle
about and come to the station upon
its other side. This would shut OF
prying or wondering eyes. Esme sat
silent and white. Even Fay's ardent
kisses could not bring back her color.
But she walked firmly beside him up
the minister's steps and on through
the open door. Suddenly she was con-
scious of other heavier footsteps fol
lowing, of Johns voice saying tensely ::
Cant let you be married, Esme, lit
tie sister, without even best man.
But before this goes further" STEP
ping in front of Fay, II must know
where and how you expect to get the
bonds you need to save you from
ruin"
"You get out Of this if you want to
live" Fay Missed, making to draw
weapon. Esme caught his arm, saying,
until you answer. this ends all"
"There is just one answer" John
Interiected. "He meant to marry you,
force you to sign the bonds over to
him, and most likely lose your for
tune, as he has already lost his own"
Then BRIEFLY, he explained: He had
traced the CALL found out things about
the caller, about Fay himself, and
therefrom deduced all that was to
happen. Better not miss your train, :"
he finished significantly. "Esme knows
I will take care of her"
"How about thisT' the minister said,
holding out the license when Fay had
vanished.
.ril take care Of that too" John
said. ut may come In handy-fater
on"
Sure enough It dfd-the sole salvage
OF that adventurous morning.