Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-05-11

he saw that there was q ring upon the
third finger Of her left hand. you see,
Lucy continued, I've just promised
least. 1 promised last night-to marry
Mr.. Moltry. We've this minute returned
from getting my engagement ring"
Markham was no longer surprised at
her alone for the first m
VII.
"Ah, I beg your pardon" he said. Are
you to be married soon?"
20, mol" 1t was b~reathless. Mr..
He's naturally impatient. And Mrs
Dennar?"
Lucy looked at him very quickly.
What makes you ask that?" she de-
handed. Then she smiled again. Though
true. Mrs. Dennar is all on-on Mr..
Moltry's side"
Forgive me. But can you resist them
both? I'm very impairment"
Mr.. Markham, I should think you
were rather impertinent If I didn't know
from Adam"
Miss Tetherden." Markham laughed flat
ly. "Of curse, I don't mean to be i'm
pertinent. Is Adam likely to be coming
here?"
mo" Her answer was short. Her eyes
were unhappy. Markham read everything.
He doesn't like Mrs." She had been
unguarded and she checked herself.
II wish he were coming here" said
Markham. 81 like Adam. 1 would yield
to Adam what I'd yield to nobody else. !"
She did not understand him.
Il was going to say she went on,
that 1 feel you're an old friend"
I'm thankful for that" The words
leapt from Markham. For that, at least ="
his time Lucy must have caught
something in his tone as well as in the
abrupt words. She shrank a little. as if
she were alarmed at his vehemence-
even offended by its implications. Then
she smiled again, in the friendliest man
ner, and turned to him with an air Of
confidence.
II think I'm very fortunate in my
friends" she said. al of Them
Then, as If to end their talk. she
glanced away toward the nearest writing
table.
You won't, at any rate" persisted
Markham, "be married within the next
week."
Lucy started. She flushed. Archly she
surveyed him.
That's the third extraordinary thing
you've said this morning" she answered.
1.-THE third or the fourth"
"All that I've said has been extraordi-
nary continued Markham, urgently.
Il could say many more extraordinary
things. But I mean no harm. And I'm
in earnest about this
you seem so,'' faltered Lucy. "Mr.
Markham, you alarm me-"
Dare / repeat my question:"
TITS not only the question. It's d.
it's the nature of it. How did you
know-that there was amy
Miss Tetherdon, l haven't the courage
to give you my reason. 1t arises only
from my-my interest in you. How can
I make 1t clear?"
You do make it clear. I believe you.
I trust you. /" She again broke off
sharply. Breathlessly, she added: I'm
speaking very strangely to you; but I'm
not afraid hat you'll misunderstood me.
Mr.. Markham; you know that Adam.
He's very dear to me; but not"
II understand"
you are thinking"
Entirely of myself" Markham told
her, his face deadly pale. And yet en-
tirely of you"
Lucy was as pale as he.
mfr. Markham@'
81 do nothing but beg you not to be
forced into something which you-''
Which I--?" Her cheeks were red
again now.
which you might regret. I'm being
insufferable, 1 know. Please-please for
give me-"
With that Markham rose abruptly,
and, bowling slightly, he left her sitting
close against the wall, her face flaming,
her eyes, he felt, wet with tears OF pride
and anger.
Groaning, mad with impatience at his
own folly, Markham strobe out Of the
hotel and into the street. His one
thought was to escape from the scene
of his disastrous admission. Of course he
had ruined himself. More likely, he had
ruined her. There was no prospect at all
now Of averting disclosure by Lucy to
Notify Of his extraordinary warning.
Notify, alarmed, n aided by his I'M
scrupulous ally, would now lose nc mo-
ment of time. The marriage would be
fastened. All would be lost.
What madnessl What madness!" he
cried aloud as he dashed wildly along.
Worse han madness. Much worse"
Without knowing what he did, he went
in the direction of the harbor, and
straight to Teddy's little yacht. A gang
way led from the quay to the dock; and
as he went on board Markham saw q
member Of the crew standing idly by the
~deckhouse. The man was smartly dressed,
as usual, and looked q sailor. he SaluteQ
at Markham's approach.
Mr.. Knowles is not aboard, sir" he
said. Said If you come would you kind
ly wait for him in the cabin, sir. Mr.
and Mrs. Hopkinson's gone"
Gomez" So agitated was Markham
that he could not comprehend the mans
meaning.
Telegram. sir. Called him, / under
stand. Mr.. Knowles has gone with them
to the station. Anyway, with their bag
gage. Two OF our chaps carrying the
baggage"
Still acting mechanically, Markham
went down into the cabin. 1t was small
rather warm, and 1t shone with polished
mahogany, brass handles, and glass. Nc
place for a man whose nervous excite
ment prevented him from sitting still
And yet, after a moment, the cabin be-
gan to influence Markham. He no Longer
clenched his fists n calculated passion.
ately. AT last he was able to sit down
hopelessly indeed, but once more undel
his own control. And when he was {
little more composed he began to rach
his brain for stratagems. He thought o.
everything. from the killing of Moltry tC
the kidnapping Of Lucy, from the sum
moning of Adam EARNED with a specia
l~icense) to a wild attempt at the persua'
sion OF Lucy to al understanding thai
what she contemplated was insane. AL
was unavailing.
Suddenly Markham looked up to fine
Teddy standing within six feet of him
with an expression upon his face of sucf
roguery, such satisfied and chucklinl
mystification, that for a moment he wa
d~umbfounded.
Teddy" he gasped. whats up2 Yol
look as if"
MY dear boyl I'm laughing at you. In