The Arvada enterprise., 1924-02-14


! from the far end Of the hall.
While he stood waiting, Jasper no.
ticed the absence OF familiar fra
grance. For the first time in years
Betty had forgotten to order flowers
| The red roses which casper always
earessed with u long, appreciative nm
ger as he went by the table in the
! hall, were missing. Their absence
gave him IL faint sensation OF alarm.
"Mr. Kane, Mrs. Morena's brother,
has called to see you. sir. He Is wait
Ing"
Jasper's eyebrows rose. "To see mel
Is he with Mrs. MOrena nOw?"
NO, sir. Mrs. Morena went cut
this morning and has not yet returned.
Mr.. Kane has been here Since FIVE
o'clock. sir"
"Very' WELL"
1t was u mechanical speech Of dis
missal. The footman went off. JAS
per stood tapping his chin with his
finger. Woodward Kane come to see
him during Betty's absence! Wood
ward had not spoken more than three
or four icy words Of necessity to him
since the marriage. After a stiff. un'
gracious fashion this brother had be-
friended Betty, but to his Jewish
brothersin-law he had shown only a
slightly disguised distaste. The Jew
was well used to such q manner. He
treated It with light bitterness. but
he did not love to receive the users
of 1t in his own house. 1t was With
heightened color and bent brows that
he pushed apart the long. crimson
hangings and came into the immense
drawing-rOOm.
1t was softly lighted and pleasantly
warmed. A fire burned. The tall, fair
visitor rose from a seat near the blaze
and turned all In 3one rigid piece to-
ward his advancing host. Jasper was
perfectly conscious that his own ges-
ture and speech Of greeting were too
eager, too ingratiating. that they had
II touch Of servility. He hated them
himself. but they were inherited with
his blood, as instructive as the wag.
ging Of dogs tail. They were met
by a precise bow. no smile, no taking
Of his outstretched hand.
jasper drew himself up at once. put
the slighted hand on, the back Of q
tall. crimson-damask chair, and looked
his stateliest and most handsome self.
Betty hasn't come In yet" he said.
you've been waiting for herr'
Woodward Kane pulled at his short,
yellow mustache and stared at Jasper
With his large blank. blue eyes. "Aa
a matter Of fact didn't call to nee
my sister. but to see you. I have
just come from Elizabeth. She ID at
my house. She came to me this morn.
Ing"
Jasper's fingers frightened on the
chair. "She Is sick?"
"No." There waS pause durins
which the blank. blue eyes staring al
him slowly gathered a look Of cold
pleasure. Jasper wns aware that this
man who hated him was enjoying his
present mission.
"Shali we sit down1 shall have
to take good deal Of your time.
am afraid. There Is rather a good
deal to be gone over"
| jasper sat down In the chair the
back Of which he had been holding
"Will you smoker" he asked, and
smiled his charming smile.
There was now not trace Of EN-
bnrrussment. anger. or anxiety about
him. His eyes were quiet. his voice
flexible. Woodward declined to smoke,
crossed his legs and drew u small grny
envelope from his pocket. Jasper'a
eyes fastened upon 1t nt once. 1t was
Bettys paper and her angular, boy.
ish writing marched across II. Evi.
IDENTITY the note was addressed to him
He waited while Woodward turned II
nbout In his long. stlir. white fingers.
about two months ago Betty came
to me one evening In great distress
OF mind. She asked for my advice
and to the best Of my ability I gave
It to her. I wish that she hnd aske,,
for II ten yenrs ago. She might have
saved herself n great deal. This time
she has not only asked for It. but she
has been following 1t. and. In follow.
ing II. she has now left your house
md come to mine. This OF course,
will not surprise you"
1T does. however. surprise me great.
ly." II wns still the gentle murmur.
but Jasper's cigarette smoke yelled
his face.
Il cannot understand that. How.
ever. It's not my business. Betty hns
asked me to interview you today 40
TINT she may he spared the humili.
alton. After this. you mast address
your communications 10 her lnwyers.
In II short time Rogers and DARING
will serve you with notice Of divorce. :"
jasper sat perfectly still. leaning
slightly forward, his cigarette between
his fingers.
"So-s!" he said after q long silence.
Then ne held out his hand. n may
have Bstty's letter."
|