Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-18
Copyright by n Phillips onpsnheim

cession of sympathy for this man. for
whom up till then his feelings had been
curiouSly mixed He had been inclined
to resent the farceur, the almost inSo-
lent assumption of some vital differ
ence not only In their station but In
their whole outlook and scheme of daily
life. Yet In that moment of his bene-
factors weakness kindness amount
ing almost to affection established itself.
You have told ME so much, sir" he
said gently. why don't you tell me a
little more? II you want protector
| from a physical point of view. I'm not
afraid of scrap. I've generally man.
aged to hold my own when there was
anything Of that sort doing. I'll sleep
anywhere in the house-~outside your
door. If you like. I think l could stop
any one corning in"
That's very good of YOU Barnes" he
acknowledged. but I'm afraid that sort
Of help wouldn't be of much use. These
men will get at me all right. They
haven't waited all these years for MOTH
ing"
Well how can help. them" Martin
persisted.
Lord Ardrington had resumed his
seat The question he suddenly asked
was the most astonishing which his
guest could possibly have conceived.
Have you ever thought of marriage
"Marr:age?" Martin gasped
Well, not lately. l suppose l shall
marry some day."
After ell" Lord Ardrington went on,
speaking half to himself. you are In
nv tiebt. Chance selected YOU as by
beneficiary. but still you owe me your
altered state in life"
Il acknowledge It willingly" Martin
declared LAS told you before, II there
is anything I can do, you can count
on me-
win you marry my stepdaughter--.
say. the day after tomorrow"
Martin stared across at his ques-
toner dumbfounded, his senses con-
fused. deprived for the moment of the
power of speech.
"Marry--your stepdaughter--the day
after tomorrow! Why, only met her
this afternoon"
THAT is beside the question. win
you do ~"
But baurita-~Miss Laurita-she
wouldn't dream of it,"
Not in an ordinary way perhaps"
Lord Ardrington admitted. but your
marriage need be one of form only and
1t may save her from a far more ter
father"
Martin was proof against further
shocks. He remained speeches..
Part of the terror in which I live"
Lord A-drington continued, lis on her
account. loved ller mother with every
breath CT my body and on hsr deathbed
I Swore to keep Laurita from the fate
with which her father threatened her.
viii you do what I ask?"
But 1t wouldn't be possible Martin
fSltsred.
1T Is possible You could motor up to
Lon5cn tomorrow. get a special license
and return with it at night. You could
be married the next day"
But would she consent?" Martin
asked 6oubtfully. She has only known
me for few hours and in way have
not been brought up in her world. I am
not at ell the sort OF person she has
been used to-"
she would consent to the ceremony
IL 1 explained matters to her" Lord
Ardrington insisted. 1T Is understood.
of course. that the ceremony is one of
protection only If. when you get to
know one another better you found that
any sufficient amount of affection de-
veloped. Why, then you might become
husband and wife In earnest. Other
wise. of course. divorce would always be
possible and easy"
Martin sat for several moments in
silence He was striving to see his way,
but his thoughts were In confusion. His
host rose and laid his hand upon the
young mans shoulder.
Remember that you pledge yourself