Evening star., 1927-05-28

around the house. They're negotiable.
you know"
"Just what do you mean?"
Bonds like that are much the
same as currency. They can be
stolen and sold"
Afterward, he was to remember
that she made an odd little startled
gesture. but she said nothing for a
moment. Then:
Il see" she said quietly. Thank
you for telling me-" She moved to
lutely.
"Ill be very careful" she said. and
added irrelevantly. her eyes on the
package of currency in her hand.
There are certain sacrifices one must
make at times like this. l dare say
you know tnat my daughter Is to be
married."
II saw it in the paper. Yes"
She is marrying very WELL" she
said, still in that curious irresolute
manner. Very we'll. indeed"
Suddenly all his resentment and
anger flared up in him. He could
hardly control his voice.
That depends. of course, on how
you look at it,
Il don't understand you"
IF she cares for the man. and not
for what he will bring her."
Their eyes met, and there was GER
tainly no friendliness in them. Mrs.
Bayne drew herself up
THAT, of course, is not a matter
for discussion" she said quietly, and
went out of the roonn
That she bore him no lasting
srudge. however, he saw the next
evening. He found her, when he
came home drinking her tea, as usual.
with her hat awry. and a litter
OF parcels and boxes In the hall. She
was clearly excited. and more expan-
sive than he had ever seen her.
DO come in," she said. Holly, a
cup for Mr.. Warrington. Don't bother
to ring. BY the way. darling, 1 stop.
ped in at your Aunt Margaret's. She'll
be delighted to do what 1 suggested"
But Holly was already out of the
room.
Mrs. Bayne waved a hand toward
the hall. What day I've had, But
the prices of things since the war!
have done so little buying that I
didn't realize"
Her eyes glittered; her hands
trembled. There was almost ecstasy
in her voice. He saw that she had
not so much forgiven the evening be.
fore as forgotten it, and, for the un.
accustomed luxury of being with
Holly, he surrendered, for a moment.
his own anger and bitterness.
He even had a few moments alone
with her. while Mrs. Bayne went to
take off her hat, a few moments
winch led to rather curious result.
I've always wanted to tell you"
he said, Il don't know what got into
nfhar H.
in the world to say what 1 did"
No. she said "Of course. Won
didn't really know how things were.
II you had. you would have under.
stood better"
Il wouldn't understand a loyeless
marriage, no matter how things were"
How do you know it is a loveless
marriage?"
What did you mean by not let.
ting her down. if 1t isn't?"
Instead of replying. she went to the
door and listened. Her mother was
still upstairs. When she came back
to the tea table, her face was set.
I'm going to ask you something"
she said. Something rather awful.
but must know. Has mother bor.
rowed any money from you?"
Certainly not. You can't get blood
OoN Va a otOiiCs &AHFHOW, i am sure
she would never think of such a
thing"
But she's got money somewhere"
Hasn't she a little capital of her
own? Maybe she has disposed of
something" a-s. es.
She has small allowance. She
can't draw on it in advance"
She may have saved something"
"Saved"' said Holly scornfuT.y,
You can't save out of nothing. Mf.
Warrington, if you know anything,
you must tell me. I can't tell YOU
how important it is'
But If she asked me not to-"
What does that matter, if she's
sold something that she shouldn't
have sold? Oh. don't you see, if she
has. she's done it for me, and 1 Just
can't bear it."
I'm quite sure you are wrong. I'll
tell you, since it's worrying you. She
gave me bond to sell. l got her a
good price. And that's ALL"
"A bond." she said "She gave Won
bond? My poor mother.'
Her face was stricken: she seemed
to be holding to the tea table for sup.
port. And then Mrs. Bayne came
back.
Continued in Tomorrow's StarO