Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1926-03-20

he said then. IT wonder IL may?'
Nan looked up. There was sort
OF childishness in her face at that
moment. and her eyes met his with
a sort OF puzzled pathos that stirred
his heart strangely.
ASK my advice--you" she said.
Eyes. because I think you may
perhaps be able to help me- He
stopped. and went on again abruptly.
Miss Marraby-do you know any,
thing about me?"
about you! What do you mean7"
II mean did Peter tell you any.
thinsf Or have you heard anything
siacef'
NO." She looked at him enxiousH
~. Peter hardly mentioned you at
al after us parted that night Whsf"
because there - something ia
ysor manner tha& makes me think
20 have besa sold something that
49, - yos aOainst me. An righ4F'
"Mo." Sajd Nan.
- an go Of that" hs answsrs&
''beoAess want you to like rne--f
want you to lot me be your friend.
Men sat very still.
"And. Ter two people e b n16uee
I-rsai erSsnas." Sefton I'D. prSDsot-
y. ~ = necessary for them TO know
well. q great deal about enc IA
1 other"
Nan scrambled to her fest.
Really. Mr.. Seton" she bcean.H
! hurriedly. I'm sure l." but -
| stopped her.
Listen TO me for a moment" Ho
had risen to his feet. too.
! Il told you just now that ] was q
business friend OF your fathers
you did not ask me In what way7--
or what my business was
1T know what it is" Nan said, di-
| rectly. "You are 4 moneylender.
Mr.. Arnott told me-"
He looked little taken aback by
| her candor.
"Then you probably understand
what my business relations are with
your father" he said, smoothly.
| "With-my father.' Nan echoed
his words, n slow flush cTept into
her face.
MY father has never borrowed
| money in his Iife." she said, with
| impetuous anger. How dare you
even suggest such q thing how
dare your
She was breathless with anger: her
eyes flashed.
Seton spread his hands deprecat.
ingly.
"If you are going to take that at
titude-of course. IL is useless nay
saying any more. but; ="
Quite. quite useless" she inter
rupted scornfully. II should not be-
lieve it--and as for your offer OF
friendship %
Seton colered.
|. MY friendship was good enough
, for Peter Lyster." he said.
II don't believe you were anything
| but an ordinary acquaintance of
his" Nan cried in q rage. She felt
as &c he had goaded her past en-
durance. eff you had been--he,
would have told me-he told me
everything; we never had any secrets
| ffom one another :"
Her voice shook.
Sefton's face changed.
! So she still loved Lystev--that was
the thought that flashed into his
mind: still loved him in spite OF this
engagement which she declared had
been broken off long before Peter
was wour An odd sort of rage
consumed a.
Told you everything, did hep" he
echoed with faint sneer. ''Ther,
OF course, it will be no news to you
to hear that Peter owes me a very
large sum Of money-more than h
can ever repay-and certainly more
than I can afford to lose"
Nan stared at him blankiy. The
man-his voice. his eyes, his whole
attitude-seemed to have undergone
a swift transformation: she felt as
If she looked at the face OF a
stranger: she fell back step fro...
him.
"Peter-Peter owes you money"
she said breathlessly--then suddenly
her voice rose.
II don't believe you'll just don't
believe you" she stammered. Its
a lie-a cruel Ne. which you know
he cant deny"
She forgot that ST., was no longer
anything to the man abe was de-
tending: she cry realized that Seton
was deliberately lying TO her about
} The person size loved best In the
worbd.
~. n