, 1923-03-19

you VIII? You'll give me a note
Oh. promise!"
Yes she whispered; and slipped
away into another room.
So this IS why he had to come to
T'a'nan fu-to tell her the tremend-
oua VS. that he would one day be
free! And she had promised to ar
range n meeting,
Never IN all his cold life had iona.
than Brachey experienced such a
thrill as followed that soft Yes"
Not a word passed betwee him
and Boatwright until they stood in
the gate house. Then, for an instant.
their yes met. He had to fight back
the burning triumph that was In his
own. But the little man seemed glad
TO look away; he was even evas've.
you'd better be around about half
past eleven in the morning said he.
Wei go to the yamen from here,
We must have blue carts and extra
servants, Good night"
Betty did net get down for break.
fast in the morning. And Mrs. Boat
wright sent nothing up.
II was close upon noon when Betty.
sketch ng portfolio under arm. came
slowly Gown the sta RS. Mrs. Boat
wright, at her desk I'm the front room.
glanced up. called:
"Oh, Betty-just n nom nt.'
TIT girl atood IN the doorway. She
looked so slim and small and. even.
childlike. that the older woman knit
her heavy brows slightly. What on
earth were you to do with the child?
What had GriEgsby Duane been
thinking OF IN bringing her out here?
Would you mind coming in?
There's q question or two I'D like to
ask you"
Betty paused by n rocking chair Of
black walnut that was upholstered in
crimson plush; fingered the crimson
fringe. Mrs. B%oatwrlght was mark
ing u n geometr'cal pattern on the
back OF an envelope; frowing down
at 1t. The silence grew heavy.
Finally Mrs. Boatwright. never
light OF hand. came out with:
This Nj. Brachey-who is he?"
Betty's fringed lids moved swiftly
up: dropped again.
"He-he's n writer, a journalist"
You knew him on the ship?'
Yes"
You knew him pretty well?"
"I-saw something OF him"
Did you know he was coming out
here7"
silence. Then this from Betty.
without heat:
81 don't understand why you are
asking these questions"
Are you unwilling TO answer
them7'
"sueh personal questions as the
last one-yes.'
why"
you have no right to ask IT"
OH Mrs. Boatwright considered.
She controlled her temper and
framed her next remark with care.
This slip OF a girl was unexpectedly
in nber like Griggsby Doane. There
was no weakness in her quiet resist.
ance. no yielding,
I'VE mustn't misunderstand each
other. Betty" she said. In your
fathers absence, I am responsible for
you. This man has appeared rather
mysteriously, His business is not
clear. Mr.. Boatwright has asked him
to come back here for tin,n. Which
was rather impulslve. I'm afraid. -
She paused. Il may us well como out
with st. Mr.. Boatwright told me n
"Ot what happened? But meth
littel OF what happened last eve.
ming
III you pleased Mr.. BoatwriGht Is
not a particularly ohservant man in
these matters, but he couldn't help
seeing that there is something be.
tween you and this Mr.. Brnchey. D..
Now. since you see what is IN my
mind. will you tell me why he Is
here?"
During this speech Betty stopped
lingering the crimson fringe. a
slow color crcpt into her checks.
She wouldn't, or couldn't, speak,
Very we'll. II you won't answer
that question. will you ut least toll
me something OF what you do know
about HING"
Il know very little about him
said Betty.