Evening star., 1939-06-04

received it, declared at last.
MY dear Major" the man at my side re-
monstrated, there are not two Major Lysons.
are there? The card is correct in every detail
The Major Tyson and Miss Tyson are
absolutely apparent You have no excuse for
refusing the simple request which am making.
Your right to take my sister could never be
questioned.
1T is true" admitted that have sister
but she lives in Devonshire and she never
attends any such function as this. She has her
own friends, but the Princess is not one of
them. She is not even in London"
is it worth while making such a FUSS! the
other asked coldly. 1T will be time for you to
start in few minutes
Il posted my letter of regret an hour ago,
| confided
but your first reply was an acceptance,
without doubt
How do you know that"
"Surmise - sheer surmise. Listen" my vlsi
tor went on, and for the first time there was
note of real seriousness in his voice, 1T is of
the greatest Importance to my sister and my
self that you attend this reception and that She
does. happen to know that unescorted women
will be subject to the most careful and critical
surveillance. In your company there will no
be the slightest difficulty She must be there. q
why? Why should your sisters presentc d
this one be of such Importance? Why have yo,
come here and threatened me with my life il
this melodramatic fashion if do not agree te
being her escort? You behave as though
were matter of life and death that your siste.
should be there and that | am the only MAJ
who can take her. Why?'
1T is matter of life or death. the man sat
quietly. "Your life or your death. Tyson. That
is the long and short of it,"
There was brief silence. | began to realize
that however astounding it might seem. tho
speaker was really in earnest
Il had an idea. Major" he went on, that
you were too much of man of the world to
make fuss about a trille' like this. You have
been in tight corners before. You are in one
now You can evade all trouble by granting my
simple request. DO that and will make you a
present of my revolver and throw my mask
into the flames. If you are going to be stubborn,
my sister will take the card and she will go to
the reception. If there is any question she will
say that she missed her brother coming in, that
he will be there in moment and she will pass
on into the crowd. With that card there will bt
nothing to stop her
And what should be doing
You would not be in position to do any,
thing" ~
do you mean that YOU would commit muir
der because rel,lsedI"
You will oblige me very much by not asking
that question. sir,
The girl rose to her feet and came suddenly
to where we were standing face to face. She
laid her fingers on my arm. Major Tyson. she
pleaded, take me to the reception. please. |
will be no trouble will bring no shadow of dis
grace upon you, will do my best to be an
agreeable companion. When the time has
passed and you know all about it, we may still
be good friends and you will laugh with me at
the memory. My brother is too ridicuously in
earnest but it is a vital matter, after all. Take
me to the party, please"
looked from one to the other. Look here
what is to prevent my leaving your sister at any
moment in the prOCeedings'
1T is thing which you could not do
Major If you agree to take my sister to the
party you will do it,
That was where he won. picked up my hat
and coat III ring for a taxi, | said.
There is no necessity. The Car is at the door.
For the rest keep my word"