The Washington times., 1937-11-16

hyEterically know. She was sud-
denly afraid, terrified at Pings
desperate rage.
Suddenly he threw her from
him with such force that she fell
back against the couch. He
garbbed the ring from her hand
and threw it into the midst of
the blazing fire. Then he ran
out the front door, leaving his
coat and hat behind him.
CHAPTER XIX
Karen heard the front door
slam before she got up from
where she had fallen. Then she
got up on her knees and with fire
tongS tried to rescue the beauti-
ful stone which had been her en-
gagement ring. She finally
flShed it out gingerly, weeping as
she did so and it lay a blackened
dauble on the hearth while
Karen, her frock torn from her
shoulders, sat there looking at it.
1t was thus her father and
mother found her. She was sob
birg wildly, and her father lifted
her to her feet. Then he sat
down with her in his arms as
though she were a little girl and
she Sobbed out part of the story.
Her mother, excited and upset,
sat beside them, but Mallory
managed to keep his wife quiet.
Nov, never mind. honey.
Well have the ring cleaned to-
morrow. 1t isn't hurt much. I'll
see Ping, and everything will be
all right. He'll come racing back
tomorrow morning"
But you see, Dad, I don't want
him. I'm only crying because he
was so upset." she managed to
sob.
Mallory did not believe her, and
sent her off to bed, while he and
his wife had a conference.
THAT young punk" Mallory
remarked as he undressed for bed.
I'D like to wiring his neck"
I'm not sorry. Maybe it is
just as well" Mrs. Mallory had
been getting pretty well fed up
with Mrs. harrington. She was
fond of Ping, but she felt Karen
could do better, could marry any
body on whom her fancy rested.
The FarringtonS were all right,
of course. But it did not really
matter.
It tell you it matters if Karen
really likes the young cub. I
think he's a waSh-out. He's going
to have plenty of trouble before
he fixes up this thing with me,
can tell you."
BAD NEWS
Mallory went to sleep finally re-
hearSing all the things he was
going to say to young harrington
the next morning before he left
him be engaged to his daughtel
again.
By morning, however, Mallory
had something else to worry about.
Ping had won his bet. Some of the
gossip columns carried the story
of Karen Mallory dancing with
the Judge who had sentenced her
to jail.
Mallory tapped on Karen's door
just as soon as he had seen the
story. He was determined to hold
himself in check. but the situation
with Stoddard had worried him
for some time. He felt the mo.
ment had come to be firm with
Karen. He came in and sat down
on the edge of her bed and showed
her the papers.
Karen, I realize now what you
and Ping were quarreling about.
I have to admit think he was
right. You seem to have no sense
of responsibility"
Karen offered no defense. There
was none. She sat looking at the
paper for a long time, for Marcia
West was referred to in both pa
pers as the Judges fiancee."
It upset her. but she did not
really care. So had she been
Pings fiancee. That was over.
The other must end. Nothing
could keep them apart. Dick be-
longed to her now.
She listened dutifully to her
father, and her docility quite dis
armed him. She assured him
again, however, that she and Ping
were definitely through. He did
not press her on that point. But
he was firm with regard to Stod-
dard.
IT want it distinctly understood
that you are not to see him again"
She did not protest. She felt
this was not the time for that.
She could bring her father around
when she and Dick had a better
understanding.
IT think you might better have
gone to Florida, Karen"
Perhaps, but I didn't. Things
will be all right, father. I'm sorry
about last night. have to say that
again" She kissed him tenderly.
He'd be loyal to her when the time
came.
Karen lived now only for that
afternoon when she was to see
Stoddard again. She dallied over
her breakfast, and before it was
finished, Dick telephoned. She was
so excited she could scarcely hold
the instrument.
Eyes, darling"
"I can't see you today, Karen.
I'll explain later"
He did not have the courage to
mention the painful scene he and
Marcia had had after their en-
| nn,1rntnr NTH Karnr Ha had had