Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-22

I'm engaged to Miss Belts. ! have
right to her picturer
''I-see"' said Darien. slowly. Up
until that moment, Judy TO him. had
been in pleasant haze compounded
of memories and unanalyzed thoughts
He had bought the picture as a Whim
touched by something gallant and "a?
IN the young face. and encouraged II;
his whim by catching a glimpse o
Judy at the tea table, as he turned
from her likeness on the wall, But j
had been merely a passing within. The
mention of another purchaser by OIL
ney had made him slightly stubborn
as opposition was wont to do
But Carter, concrete, personal. lay
ing claim to both the girl and her pic
ture, was something altogether differ
ent. If Carter wanted the picture 50
much, why he, Darien, wanted ii
more. And he would keep it. He al
most laughed at the insoience of this
young upstart.
Didn't he realize that the Darien
money would buy anything? And the
girl? If she had any worldly knowl-
edge whatever she would know what
the Dariens stood for. Let this boy
see, in a fair field. whether he could
keep the girl or not!
Suddenly he looked at Tommy, a
Il have the picture | intend to keel
II. As far as | am concerned the ma :
ter is closed Our little affair we can
settle any time you please. Now or
later. It is a matter of indifference to
me. III go with you now. Or, if that
is inconvenient. drop me Il line or
phone me when you are ready"
Carter returned his look. Wen set
tie it now" he said stormily. And
/ 0cly 70 IL &c 70. rge
1t won't take long"
Il don't like street hrawls Come up
to the house. We have a garden
there, and we shall not be inter
rupted"
Very we'll" They moved away to.
gether stiffiy
At the door Tommy turned to beckon
Tor cab. Darien, lighting a cigarette,
spoke over the glare of the match
You can ride up with me, if you
wish he flung the match away with
snap, ''on the seat with my chauf
feurr'
Tommy took the insult with white
look of fury. You'll apologize for
that YETI she said with a sneer
Darien shrugged. Perhaps ne al
mitted. Suddenly his face tightened
lie turned back toward the studio
they had lust quilted IN ne with
YOU in moment he called over his
shoulder. .-.saAs-A~.-
His blood was rising with primi-
tive lust for battle, but the cold desire
for possession rode over it all
Just inside the entrance he caught
Olney quickly by the arm as he
passed. Il want that picture nowl''
he said hurriedly.
olney shook his arm off impatient
ly, Impossible. Darien" he said
"a mir hos fC CT
thing is over
Jack Darlen planted himself before
Olney. How much is trait picture?"
he demanded
Garter offered me five hundred for
1t"
III make il a thoueand-if | get
the picture noW!''
Olney glared at him frantically.
You're mad" he cried, and in mo-
ment Of bleak truthfu'ness he blurted
out. 1T would ruin the exhibition to
take that picture away! It's the only
decent thing in the 1T
Wen. what OF it, Never mind the
exhibition. I'll buy he whole lot of
pictures, If you wan: Darien said it
carelessly The ex libnion ism the
point want ths picture and 7
want 1t now DO get it,"
But Carter is P1ying for the eX
hibition""
Win ne buy The lot Of pictures!"
'sThat matter h. mt come up.
ITS up now. ] ! take the lot. Go
and get me that PICTURE"
Olney looked at him feebly All the
suavity which ugually cloaked him
was gone. "But--but--" he began.
and stopped.
Have it taken down. Ny cars out
side"
but it will have to be wrapped
Careless handling will ruin it.
Never mind the wrapping. viii
handle it myself
Darien turned. I'm wait in the car.
Send il OUT le ordered
The cab bearing Tommy was driv-
ing from the door as Darien came
out. He smiled grimly and spoke TO
his chauffeur. Pierce. II am waiting
for a picture AS soon as it comes
out we will so home. And drive like
the devil. Pierce. / have an appoint
ment'
Presently the picture was borne out
bv an attendant with OIney following
He spoke to Darien through the
lowered windows. I'm sure | don't
know how this will turn out" he said
uneasily.
Darien spoke to the attendant.
put it here on the floor, facing me-
7 can hold it if necessary" To Olncy
he said, 1T win be all right" As the
door slammed shut he spoke sharply
10 Pierce. Make it as quickly as you
can"
He settled back in the seat calmly.
He was angry. shaken, but he was
triumphant A Darieu always got
What he wanted, He was fit de
sceudant OF a great family. lie al
most wished Cecily could see him
now. Would she say that he never
struggled for anything because he
never wanted anything enough to
fight for it? Certainly she couldn't
cav that now, He grinned impishly
He had fought for this picture with a
cool assurance. lie had risked a
scene 10 get it, And at this moment
he was on his way to do battle with
bare fists for the right to possess it.
His self-respect mounted.
But the thought Of Cecily had
touched a thread Of memories that he
did not like Why had CecilN not re
turned AIS ring and his letters? Did
il mean that she had changed her
mind. or did il mean that there was a
likelihood that she would change it
i'm the future? lie knew enough Of
Cecilvfs stubborn pride to feel sure
that she would not keep the ring for
anv other reason. What then did this
mean? Girls were fun of Whims. Was
he engaged TO her or wasn't he?
AS they turned a corner the mellow
light of the street lamp flashed in and
lit up the face of the picture. What
a lovely ft.ng she was!
What would she think of what he
had done tonight? Suddenly he
seemed to see everything he had done
tonight in a new light. He had not
been strong and firm. He had been d
cheap bully, That was what she
would think him if she knew. lie had
LID hl1lliaG HAlll-