Evening star., 1923-04-19

evening paper which he wished TO
read as il related to the purchase OF
a mangnificent mansion which Mr..
Jay Smith had purchased for his
bride-to be-the show place in COM
munity Astounding in beautiful homes.
Clairena was never demonstrative. yet
lie felt sure she would be highly elat-
ed over this piece of news.
He surmised that this had some
thing. to do with Jays unexpeC ted
call that afternoon. but. if SO. his
daughter mad not mentioned that fact
to him. This thought piqued the old
gentleman exceedingly. He would tell
her tartly that he never expected he
should have to learn through d news
paper that which she should have
told him about with her own lips
"Clairena is not like her mother.
nor very much like me-" he mur-
more | am forced to take notice that
she has a decided will of her own
He could see that she dominated her
husband to-be completely. He Won
Idered vaguely il his naughty daughter
would have a happy life OF II if she
met and had been destined TO wed
any other man. He felt relieved after
he had given his consent to her mar
riage with Jay. He was the one man
ahoVe all others whom he would have
selected as husband for Clairena
Out in the grounds she was wait
ing for him to call her again. Feel
! ing that she must say something she
addressed Thorne banteringly: | am
! sure YOU have returned to tell me
how the races turned out-which
won. your horse. Or"
He interrupted her with harsh
| laugh. My horse. Clair. lost in the
race for the cup. just her master
has lost in the race for woman's
heart"
She drew back from him; his fierce
mood frIghtented her. 1t was one
thing TO coquette with such a man
but quite another. and by far more
dangerous thing, to dismiss him. He
was no toy man. to be thrown aside
at the whin of beautiful girl. AS
the date set for her wedding drew
nearer he grew more desperate. He
had planned to go away until it was
over. but fate decreed otherwise ::
control forced him to remain.
He looked long and earnestly at
the girl. How could he give her up.
stand quietly by. as her groom's best
man. and see her given in marriage to
his rival. The thought maddened him
He held out both of his hands to her
mutely. She pretended not to see.
and they fell heavily to his side.
Aren't you going to the bachelor
dinner" she .,queried. You will
"It rests entirely with you, Clair
ena! L am here to make one last plea.
Forget this mad desire for wealth.
Come with me. My car is at the gate.
Marry me. and let the guests at the
dinner be informed of it by telephone
Don't send me from you. You will
regret it if you do: The happiness of
both your life and mine is at stake
Think, decide quickly.
Her head throbbed; her heart beat
the power of uttering word seemed
TO fail her. At that moment. Col. Vail
came hurriedly down the walk, evi-
IDENTIFY in search of her.
A muttered imprecation broke from
Thorne's lips through his tightly set
teeth. Answer me, yes or no, Clair
have yet time to make decision.
Speak quickly, for heavens sake-I
tell you / cannot lose you. It's now
or-neyer,'
Col. Vail quickened his steps. He
guessed intuitively. from the express
recklessly attempting to press his
suit in defiance of existing circum-
stances. He knew. too. that his
daughter was not unmindful of his
The breeze had carried those words
-"now--or-never"-t his ears.
which even age had not robbed Of
their alertness.
He stopped before them. bent down,
catching the girl in his arms-hold-
her the assurance her fond old father
was watching over and guarding her.
He noted the strangled throbs of her
heart beating excitedly against his
own.
He greeted Thorne. who had risen
quickly to his feet, in his usual dig
nified manner. 1t did not escape his
noticed that the young man returned
his salute conStrainedly. He readily
understood Thorne was wishing him
in hades-anywhere other than where
he was-interrupting his converse
tion with his daughter. "a trifie
overcast" remarked the colonel:
Shouldn't wonder if we had a regular
downpour around midnight"
POSSIBLY" retorted Thorne.. Both
Clairena and the colonel were startled
at the hoarseness and unnaturalness
Of his voice. The colonel took in the
meaning of the situation, attempting
to lead the conversation into other
channels but Thorne was brusquely
silent, answering either Yes or
NO" il he replied at all.
TOmOrrOw-Thwar Plans.