The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-11-04

other, and it was essential that the
efficiency man should be OF
the fact until it had been accom-
plished.
Constance was going to be mar
ried. Yes. to Tommy Treadweil, OF
course. He was her refuge in time
of tribulation and despair.
1T makes no difference" unused
Constance as she dressed hastily,
that | don't love Tommy. He under
stands. He knows like and admire
him, and he's going to be satisfied
with that. l think he's almost heroic
tc marry a girl hat he knows doesn't
love him. But / can't exist here.
And 1 must-yes, must-find a new
home for Billy and Alice. Tommy
has promised to take both of them
until father returns. I suppose it
VIII get into the papers, but Oh,
anything is better than thisI"
The breakfast gong had not sound
ed when Constance made a final sur
vey of herself, seized a big muf.
picked up the grip, and moved brisk.
ly to the door of her room. AT the
threshold she paused long enough to
look up and down the hall. She did
not want to meet either Billy or
Alice; she would telephone them
after it was all over. The hall was
empty of life. so Constance stepped
out and headed for the rear stair
case.
One flight she descended rapidly,
which carried her as far as the main
floor, and then she began to follow
more cautiously the second flight,
which a poorly lighted and had
two sharp turns At the first turn
she paused abruptly She heard
footsteps in the semi-gToom below.
was coming up the stairs.
Constance pecred over the baIus-
trade and held her breath A servant
she did not mind But it was not q
seryant-it was FL Hedge Her first
impulse told her to turn and run; but
time was too short and the grip
heavy.
Face it," she told herself quick
".
But she did not want to face the
efficiency man with the grip, 80 she
tried to hold the latter behind her
1t was an awkward maneu
YER The grip hammered at her heels
rs she resumed descent of the stair
Then it slipped from her fin
GERS An instant later it struck her
IN the hollow of a knee. Constance
staggered swayed, and pitched for
ri nttarin. 4, cho,y, op,r
She came to a halt half a dozen
below Tightly sripped around
waist was ono arm of the eff
,iency man: the other was clinginG
desperately to the rail. Both of Con-
arms were around his neck.
she could feel him struggling des-
to maintain a balance. With
/ gaspinS intake of his breath he
presently achieved it. The grip shot
them. rounded n turn. and land
sd noisily on the floor Of the base
hall.
He twisted his head II peer into
face. Their eyes were not six
nches apart in the half light.
It's Constance he exclaimed.
Never had the efficiency nan
her that before.
Yes, it's IT,
You're unusually early his morn
Possibly"
II. Hedge seemed willing to bro
ong the conversation.
ITS not eight yet" he remarked.
Il know it,"
Didn't 0 drop something's"
"Of course"
I'll go down and get it for you"
3ut he made no 0 ~
Don't bother. III get it,"
But I insist"
mo-
He paused and considered.
Its q nice morning" he observed
rrelevantly.
Il believe so"
Going for a walk?"
"Yes-no!'
why not say 'perhaps-yon get
he same idea compressed into n
ord"
Constance was becoming anxious.
he knew that Tommy Treadwell and
is blue roadster were waiting below
n the courtyard.
Let me CO. she exclaimed.
Up to that point she had been too
ewildercd to notice that there had
cen no change in their positions
ince II. Hedge interrupted her head
ong plunge.
NEXT CHAPTER Hedge frus-
rn tes an eiopemenf.