Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-04-20
CHAPTER i2S

dropped from his eye and his fore
head Wrinkled into frOWn when
Jacqueline told him she knew quite
a good deal about Jim Asson.
Jim has been telling you?"
Jacqueline shook her head.
"Oh, no, not Jim. l can't
imagine Jim telling me what ]
have found out about him."
"Of course he wouldn't" said
Mrs. Smith. That's what l like
about him-he's so modest and un-
assuming"
"And what have you found
out ?" demanded Colonel Lutman
Jacqueline smiled.
ooh, I've heard all about his
place in the country where he's
been staying until recently. In
Devonshire, isn't it? Right up on
the moors."
$50 healthful," sighed Mrs.
Smith. "Just the place for a
honeymoon. I suppose you've
stayed there, Colonel Lutman,
haven't you?"
"Well no, as matter Of fact, I
haven't" said Colonel Lutman.
1--WE never-er-been invit d
there"
"You probably will be one day,
Colonel" said Jacqueline. Most
of Jim's friends go there sooner Or
later, believe"
Colonel Lutman ignored that re-
mark.
"And what else have you heard
about Jim Asson?" he inquired.
"Oh, quite a lot Of other things"
Jacqueline told him, ''but nothing
you don't know, Colonel. After
all, you're his trustee and you
know all about him, don't you
There are one or two other things
I'd like to know, and perhaps you'd
care to tell me? I'd like to know,
for instance, why Jim Asson wants
to marry me, and I'd like to know
why you want Jim Asson to marry
me. I've got no money, and Jim
doesn't care a hang about me, and
I can't see what you're all getting
at. What do you hope to get out
of it, Colonel Lutman?
"Jacqueline!" exclaimed Mrs.
Smith in. a shocked voice. what
a dreadful thing to say! So indeli-
cate! I'm sure it never entered
the Colonel's head that he'd get
anything. out Of it. And if Jim
Asson gets you out of it, I don't
see what more any young man
could want, and I'm sure l shall be
just as fond Of him as if he were
my own son. You really must try
to excuse her, Colonel Lutnlan. I
don't know what has. come over
her today"
81 fancy I can guess, Mrs.
Smith," said Colonel Lutnan. tits
Stuckey-eh, Jacqueline? Stuc-
keys been talking, hasn't he? Try
Ing to dissuade you.?"
why should Mr.. Stuckey try to
dissuade me? ?"
Colonel Lutman smiled.
my dear Jacqueline, isn't it per-
fectly obvious why Stuckey should
try to dissuade you from marrying
jim? Perhaps it hasn't occurred
to you that you're a very charming
and attractive young woman, and
that even a fifth-rate lawyer with
an Office in a Rotherhithe back
street might be susceptible to your
charms. If we're looking for a
motive. as the lawyers say. there
we have it,"
Jacqueline shrugged shoulder.
MIR. Stuckey's told me nothing;
and that, suppose, is exactly what
you mean to tell me, Colonel Lut-
man. All right. We'll leave it at
that. I'm not marrying Jim Asson
and there is no more to be said"
Colonel Lutman's mouth grew
rather grim.
ION the contrary, Miss Jacque-
line" he said. there is a great deal
more to be said. You gave your
word to Jim Asson and to me and
to your mother that this marriage
should take place, and l intend to
do everything in my power to in
sure that it does take place."
The girl smiled.
What do you suppose you can
do, Colonel Lutman? Lock me up
IN my room and give me bread and
water until ! agree? You can't do