The Washington times., 1937-11-10

away" Her voice was level and
quiet. 'I'm tired of you"
Serge smiled discreetly as he
bowed over her head. He took
his leave formally and without
confusion.
FACING HER FATHER
Karen did not even bother to
answer him. When he had gone
she went YEARLY up to her room.
AS she walked into her sitting
room Lucy was there, a Lucy
whose eyes were red with weep
ing.
How could you do such a
thing!" Lucy cried. Karen came
over and put her arms about the
faithful woman.
II had to. Now stop crying"
'Mr. Mallory says I'm through
here at the end of the month"
Karen laughed shortly. Mon.
sense! You are not. I pay you. If
you go, I go! Besides how can
dad expect you to handle me when
he can't?"
Soon Lucy was ministering to
Karen'S scratched face, drawing
her bath, generally coddling and
petting her, So wrought I'D was
the girl that she wept for an hour,
and Lucy was busy putting
cologne packs on her eyelids.
The phone rang for Karen sew
eral times, but she refused to an-
swer it. When her father came
home, he came directly to her
room. She looked up at him fear
fully. then put both arms about
his neck. You're a darling" she
sobbed, mot to be too angry with
me-"
He held her off from him.
Karen. this whole thing is
serious. You realize that?"
"Of course, dad, but I want to
do what is right. I'm through
with all this silly stuff, father.
I'm serious about that"
He looked down into her clear
brown eyes and smoothed her hair
back from her face. Poor child"
you don't think I mean it, but
I do"
Mallory shook his head. Silent.
driving, proud, he had suffered
much from jays carryings-on, his
divorces and from the Countess
de Savarene's m trim on al
troubles.
He loved this daughter so much
he had been determined to protect
her. And he had failed com.
pletely.
Karen, I was foolish to be 50
severe with you," he began. But
I'm so afraid for you"
You needn't be. That's all
over" she said.
Mallory looked alarmed. "An-
swer me this, Stoddard's at the
bottom of all this generous ges-
ture' stuff, isn't he?" Mallory's
keen eyes bored into her brown
ones, so like her mothers.
mo, father"
"That isn't the truth, Karen"
1T is, father, don't blame the
judge. He just happened along"
Mallory shrugged his shoulders.
II know you'll protect him, but
Karen, I'll get even with him for
all this if it's the last thing I ever
do"
Dad. you mustn't. I won't let
you"
Her father smiled a little. For
get it. But now back to this propo-
sition of yours. All this fooliShnesS
Is going to cost a lot of money. We
could have settled for couple Of
thousand apiece if you'd kept out
of it,"
IT think they have more than
that coming to them. That's why I
came back when I found out"
Remember, Stoddard's former
law partner is handling the case
for the Mariettos and the others.
1t will be nice fat fee for the
firm when they settle"
Father, that is absurd. The
judge is not personally interested.
only to see that justice is done"
He bent and kissed her. You're
a babe in the woods. I should not
give in to you, but in this case I
have to. Just wait until you get
pinched for money and see how
dramatic you're going to be,
rushing into court to help the
complainant against you"
But he changed the subject
after that and asked her about
Serge.
Karen's cheeks flushed suddenly
as her father mentioned Serge.
For the memory of Serge's accuSa-
ton of the afternoon still upset
her. a..
Ito Be COntinuedl
Copyright 1897. Public Ledger