Evening star., 1925-08-23

"Quaggy?" demanded Mr.. Jack Hol-
! lins.
It's what I call Marmion now"
Then the husband appeared, In
| brown yelveteen coat and a necktte
that might have been ripped of a
cushion cover. He had decidedly put
on weight, but did not seem to be in
very good condition. The perfection
! of his social manner, however, was
unimpaired. Ignoring Mr.. Jack Hol-
| Inns irritated taciturnity. he talked
at ease Of the Amazon and the Booth
line of steamers and Of similar mat
ters suitable TO the comprehension Of
father-fn-laW. And as he talked.
Minnie with shining eyes. happy and
absent-minded, stroked his velveteen
shoulders at intervals in alteration.
Oh. He was decidedly at peace with
| his world, was Marmion.
You must see the rest of the house,
father" said Minnie.
We'll. If you want to know" said
Mr.. Jack Hollins. after the agitating
tour OF inspection (the double drawing
room had been turned into two
studios) well, If you want to know, I
don't like 1t. and that's fat
No" observed Marmion. with be-
| ntgnant placidity, I'VE feared 1t might
hurt your finer susceptibilities."
y 4
TACKANAPES! The fellow was
laughing at his father.in-lawi Mr..
Hollins was furious, but he controlled
himself. He declined to stay to lunch.
partly because Of his general resent
ment, and partly because he
detested the dining table, which was
rtdiculously narrow and painted In
most offensive orange tint. Marmion
very courteously regretted Mr.. Hol-
Inns inability to lunch. He passed his
elegant hand across his forehead, and
Minnie, exclaining that Quaggy suf-
fered too much from neuralgia. started
on the disquieting subject of his health.
Mr.. Hollins had a lancinating
qualm;
III he dies before the old baronet,
my daughter win never be her lady
ship
Then Minnie referred, apparently
quite incidentally. to the fact that
Quaggy had decided TO resign his COM
mission in the 1st Life Guards. so
that he might have more leisure for
painting. This was precisely the
straw that broke the back of Mr..
Jack Hollins' temper. The veins on
his neck became manifest. And as
her father began to lay about him
Minnie was reminded of the terrible
humiliations her mother had suffered
father. but she left the situation for
her husband to handle Mr.. Hollins
both ramped and raved. He would
have his way. His son-in-law was
largely dependent upon him, and his
son-in-law should not resign his
commission. He didn't mind his
son-in-law playing at art, but he would
absolutely not permit him TO be a
professional painter. No! Let him
GT a nd 10 oil
Jack Hollins' daughter was not going
TO be the wife OF a professional
painter. Ii Marmion resigned his COM
mission he would then no doubt re-
linquish physical exercise entirely.
and in all probability would die and
the title would lapse. A pretty thing!
Anyhow" Mr.. Hollins finished,
you let me hear from you tomorrow
morning that you've changed your
mind, or else-''
"Yes?" said Marmion
"Or else not another penny Of my
money will come into this house. I've
got my daughters interests to think
Of"
Mr.. Hollins made the worst of his
way out. and nobody accompanied him
to the vermilion front door.
His state of mind can only be de-
scribed as one of eNasperated fury.
The reasons for the fury were lost
in the fury itself. Mr.. Jack Hollins
had ceased to be rational. The next
morning no letter came either from
Marnion or Minnie. Mr.. Houins had
feared that there would be no letter,
and yet he was amazed at the de-
fiance. These two persons, who had
absolutely no weapons, were never
theless defying him.
And Mr.. Hollins had an original
and brilliant idea. He called up Mr..
Shelton Shelton. philanthropic giver
of clinics. Mr.. Shelton Shelton. being
a very important person indeed, was
not easy to get at, even on the tele-
phone. But Mr.. Hollins, perhaps by
the ruthleSSness in his voice, got at
him. explaining that he desired an