, 1924-04-16

arounu IRON the %sidebOurd, where ne
was busy mixing cocktails.
THANK heavens for thai touch Of
humanity !" ne exclaimed. "A woman
who can bother about her hair when
she takes her hat off. is never past
praying for. Please drink this"
She obeyed. He DOR the empty
glass away from her. Then he came
over to the hearthrug by her side.
d you know that | kissed you last
hight?" he reminded her.
II do" she answered. THAT Is why
1 have just paid elghty-four pounds
for a passage t o Buenos Aires"
81 should have enjoyed the trip" he
said. still. I'm glad I haven't to 60"
De you really mean that you would
have come after me?" she asked curl
0usly.
"Of course l should" he assured
her. Believe me. there isn't such an
obstinate person In the world as the
man Of early middle-age who suddenly
discovers the woman he means to
marry"
But you can't marry me-" she pro-
tested.
why not?" he asked.
because / was oliver Hilditch's
wife. for one thing"
Look here" he said, "if you had
neen Beelzebub's wife, II wouldn't
make the least difference to me. You
haven't given ME much of a chance to
tell you so yet. Margaret, but l love
you"
She sat a little Onward in her chair.
her eye were fixed upon his wonder
tagly.
But how can your" she exclaimed.
You know nothing of me except my
associations, and they have been hor-
rible. What Is there to love In me? I
an a ~froZen-up woman Everything
Is dead here" she went on. clasplng
her hand to her heart. 81 have no
sentiment. no passion. nothing but an
animal desire to live my life luxuri-
ously and quickly"
He smiled confidently. Then, with
very little warning. he sank on one
knee, drew her face to his, kissed her
lips and then her eyes.
Are you so sure of all these things,
Margaret?" he whispered. Don't you
think IL is, perhaps, because there has
been no one to care for you as / do
as l shall-to the end of my days?
The lily o left on your chair last
night was like you-fair and stately
IN beautiful. but a little bruised. You
VIII come back to the world. My love
Will bring you My care. Believe it.
please I"
Then he saw the first signs of
change In her face. There was the
faintest shade of almost shell-like
pink underneath the creamy-white of
her cheeks Her lips were trembling a
little. her eyes were misty. With a
sudden passionate impulse. her arms
were around his neck, her lips sought
his Of their own accord.
Let me forget" she sobbed. kiss
me B. let me forgeti"
Francis servant was both heavy
footed and discreet. When he entered
the room with a tray. his master was
standing at the sideboard.
I've done the best | could, sir" he
announced a little apologellcally.
Siiaii 4 ids the clDtn
Leave everything on the tray,
Brooks" Francis directed. "we will
help ourselves. In an hours time
bring coffee"
The maj glanced around the room.
There are glasses on the sldeboard.
sir. and the corkscrew is here. I think
you VIII have everything you want"
He departed. closing the door he
hind him. Francis held out his hands
to Margaret. She rose slowly to her
feet. looked In the glass helplessly and
then back at him. She was very beau.
tiful but u little dazed.
Are we going to have ~luncheon?"
she asked.
O course" he answered. "Dld Won
think l meant to starve your
He picked up the long envelope
which she had dropped upon the cur.
pet. and threw 1t onto the sofa. Then
ne drew up two chnirs to the table,
and opened n small bottle of cham.
payne.
II hope you won't mind n picnic"
he said. REALLY. Brooks hasn't done
so badly--pate de fole gras. hot tons,
n Devonshire butter. Let me spread
some for you. A cold chicken after.
ward. and some strawberries. plense
be hungry, Margaret"
She laughed ut him. II occurred 70
him suddenly, with a little pnng. thai
he had never heard her laugh before.
II was like music.
I'm too happy" she murmured.
Relieve me-" ne assured her. us he
buttered n piece OF toast. Happiness
and hunger might well he twins. They
20 so well together. Misery can Take
away ones appetite. Happiness. when
n gets over the gulplness of H. ia