The evening world. Newspaper, October 1, 1921, Page 14

“4 ~® 2 THE EVENING WORLD'S FICTION SECTION, SATURDAY, OCTOBER i, 1921. rich nobodies? That nto tee gements are announced for some such reason, and then broken off. I know that they are. I will pay you well,” she added tremulously. The Hon. Billy flushed. “Dash it all! It's not the money I'm. thinking about,” he ejaculated. It was quite true. There was some- thing in this girl's earnestness that appealed to his love of excitement and adventure. He could not help realiz- ing, also, that this would be a most excellent way of showing Vi Challoner that he was not so deeply wounded by her faithiessness as she wns probably thinking. The girl urged her cause further. “Oh, please don’t refuse! I promise on my word*‘of honor you ¢hall never have cause to feel ashamed ef me.” “That isn’t what I’m afraid of,” said the Hon. Bitty. “It’s ever so many things. What made you pitch upon me?” he demanded. She flushed a little. “I Med the look of you for one thing, and”--— ‘Have we met before, then? I'm sure I should not have forgotten you if we had.” She made a little grimace. “I have seen you, anyway, many times; and, as I say, I liked the look @f you; but there was another reason too.” He paused attentively, hear it. “It'a this,” she said at length slowly. “There is a man—a man { am very anxious to meet. He is a friend of pours.” It was tmpoasible to gueas which one ef his many friends she referred to. “Pardon me,” the Hon. Billy said besitatingly, “but this man! He, of course, is your real reason for wishing to—to ‘get into society,’ as yon call ar ~~ 6m,** ; “I suppose you won't tell me who the chap is?” he submitted. She shook ber head. He looked at her appraisingly; whatever else she might be, she was cndoubtedly a lady, and for all her eelf-assurance she looked so young and frail “I can't do it,” he said resolutely. “I'm sorry, but you must see that it’s tmpossible, for your eake as well as my own” She started to her feet with a little ery of distress. “Oh, you can’t mean that when I tell yon how much it means to me—my whole life’s hap- piress!” There was no mistaking her ear- nestness. “Look here,” eaid the Hon. Billy with biunt directnesa “You seem to forget what a scandaj there'd be if it @ver came out; it would mean ruina- tion for both of us!” “I know.” “And you're wiil risk?" > =Yon.* The Hon. Billy laughed suddenly. “By Jove! so will I, then,” he said heartily. “I don’t understand what your object is in the very least, but”— He held out his hand. “It’s a. compact, then,” he said. waiting to to take the “BREAKERS AHEAD.” HE Lady Mary ieaned her head back against the cushioned sofa and blew a cloud of ciga- rette smoke into the air. dear man,” she said in her voice, “I thought everybocy knew it by this time. Oh, I forgot you'd been over to Paris for the past fcrtnight. USilly’s ergaged and to a perfectly charming girl!” Furnival raised his brows. “I should hardly describe Eyed as quite ‘charming,’” cynically. lady Maury gave him a giance. “But, you see,” she said sweetly. “Billy isn’t engaged to Miss Eyed.” “Not to—weill, I'm hanged! Then, who on earth”— “Her name,” said the Lady Mary, “is Phillis Clyne. She's very pretty. She's teken London by storm in ten days, end she’s very well off.” “ve never heard cf a Miss Clyne,” Fernival ejaculated helplcasiy. “Who fe ehef Where does she come fromt” “My bored Agnes he said tolerant “My dear man, she comes of a very well connected family who, unfortu- nately, until quite recently, have been in greatly reduced circumstances. However, the luck has changed and Phil has blossomed out. She—here she comes, so you can judge for your- self.” ar Lady Mary introduced .them tn her bored way. “Phil, dear, Mr. friend of Billy's.” Furnival bowed. Where on earth had he met this girl before? The shuttle Furnival, a great of thought revolved bafflingly in his brain. “Billy has spoken about you,” she was swaying’ carelessly. She took the seat beside Lady Mary which he had left; she leaned back, fanning herself lazily. “I'm having a perfectly lovely time, Lady Mary,” she said. “It is not possible that we have met before, is it?’’ Furnival asked in a low tone, “I seem to know your face so well.” - Lady Mary looked from one to the ether rather anxiously, “I hardly think 680,” \Phillis an- swered compasedly. “I've always lived im the country very quietly. I don’t think we can have met anywhere.” She changed the subject skilfully, but Furnival was sure that somewhere before he had met the half smiling, baif disdainful glance of those gray eyes. The band started again. Ludy Mary was claimed by a partner; Phillis was left alone with Furnival. Furnival turned suddenly and looked at her. “So old Billy is going to get mar- ried?” he said - “Well, he is engaged,” she admitted; “which is not always the same thing as getting married, is it?” “It should be, surely.” She half shrugged her white shoul- ders. “Here is Billy,”’ she murmured Furnivai rose. “We were talking about chap. Congrats.” “Thanks.” Billy’s voice was not very hearty. “This is our dance, you, old I think,” he “BILLY.” said, bending over the girl. When they were out of hearing Phil- lis looked up at the Hon. Billy. “Don’t you like him?” she inquired. “Furnival? I used to—we were great chums at one time. He shelved me when he knew the bank was empty. Shall we dance this or would you prs- fer to sit out?” “Oh, let us dance.” Billy whirled her into the throng. He was a splendid dancer; no partner of his ever had to complain of torn frocks or rumpled hair, When they had circled the room twice he estopped by an open doorway and led her through. She made no objection. She was Rushed and a ilttle breathiess. “Oh, that was splendid!” she sald. A door at the end of the passage led to @ conservatory Lit with shaded ,Ous eyes. lanterns, the atr heavy with the per- fume of rare flowers. Phillis sank into a big chair shaded by a tall palm; the Hon. Billy stéod beside her, frowning. “Look here,” said the Hon. Billy, suddenly. “I’ve had enough of this. You'll have to let me off my bargain.” The girl's pretty face paled. “You mean that you don’t like being engaged to me?" she asked slowly. “IT mean that [ don’t like playing the clown as [ am. Not that I care a hang what people say; but the truth’ll come out, and then'’-— “If I am not paying you well enough,” she began again falteringly. “Thanks, I deserved that,” said the Hfon, Billy, in a hard voice. He clenched his hands on the back of the chair against which he stood. “I didn’t hurt you,” sald Phillis remorsefully. “Please don't let us quarrel, I've had such a happy fort- night. I don’t regret one moment of it, and IT hoped you did not either.” “Does a man ever enjoy being made a fool of?” inquired the Hon. Billy, with sarcasm. 7 “If it’s only because you're afraid of what people will say if—when it’s broken off,” she told him, smiling, “You need not worry, because I am quite willing for it to be given out that you jilted me! So what is there to worry about?’ “I am very likely to allow that, am I not?” “You should never meet trouble half- way,” she said. “I don’t. Do be friends with me, and’——- She broke off, and sat staring across the conserv- atory at a man who had just strolled in. He was a tall, military looking man with gray hair and an eyeglass and 4 rather melancholy face which carried distinct signs of dissipation on its oth- erwise fine features, “Who is that man?” she asked, in an altered voice. The Hon. Billy followed the direction of her fixed gaze. “That's Lord Seldon,” he said stiffly. Phillis had risen to her feet. “I want to know him; please intro- cuce him to me. I want to know him. Do you hear?” She swung round im- peratively. But the Hon, Billy did not move. “{ would rather not, if you will ex- cuse me,"’ he said. “Rather not!" she echoed haughtily. “When I have requested you to do so? Please do as [ ask immediately.” Billy thrust out his underjaw in bull- dog fashion. “The man’s not a suitable acquaint- ance for you.” “I am the best judge of that.” A tright angry spot of color burned in ber cheeks. “‘Kindly do as I tell you.” The Hon. Billy bowed ironically and walked away in the wake of the tall man. Phillig sank down into the chair from which she had risen. She was trembling with excitement; her breath came quickly and unevenly. It was but a few moments before Billy returned; the tall, military look- ing man folowed at his heels. “Miss Clyne, may I present Seldon?” ’ The girl was looking up at the man bowing before her with cager excite- ment. The Hon. Billy stooped and picked up Phillis’s programme, which had fallen from her lap; with a firm hand he deliberately crossed out his name against four dances that were still to come, then be returned it to her, mean to Lord “Your programme.” She seemed not to hear him, and the Hon. Billy turned savagely on his heel and strode away. At the door of the ballroom he en- countered Furnival; the latter hailed him with apparent friendliness. “HuHo, old chap! Been looking for you. What the deuce is the matter? You look like a thundercloud.” “I want a drink,” said Billy uncom- promisingly. They went in search of one together; Billy had a neat brandy; the fiery spirit restored his self-composure, Furnival was watching him with curi- “Do you know, Billy, I'm quite sure I've met Miss Clyne some- where or other before. No, I’m pot mistaken,” as Billys shook his head. “Hers is a face one: could not easily forget. But her name puzzles me; I've never heard her name at any rate!” “You've never seen her either,” said Billy flatly; his voice sounded some- what annoyed. ‘Perhaps she’s got ®@ double somewhere or other.” Furnival looked unconvinced; he drank his hock and seltzer, and set the tumbler down. “She's a beauty, anyway,” he said complacently, “I know severe! fellows “PHIL.” who are going to have ting you out, my boy.” Billy flushed darkly. “I'll thank wou to mind your own infernal business,” he said furiously. Furnival was all apologies; he had succeeded in rousing Billy, and content. a shot at cuat- was THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER. ORD SELDON, with Phillis on his arm, foumd an irate Lady Mary looking everywhere for the Hon. Billy. i Lord Seldon sew thom brougham, and bent over as he bade her good night. “Till to-morrow!" he said. Phillis leaned back and glided away. “And who have you danced with all the evening?” Lady Mary asked as they sped homeward. Phillis drew her white cloak a little more closely round her slim figure. “T danced several with Mr. Raveas- worth,” shoe said. “And then Billy in- troduced Lord Seldon.” “My deart And Billy disapproves so of Lord Seldon.” “I know; he objected at first. But § simply insisted; and, after all, he’s a very charming man.” Her yoice was careless, “He is a very charming old man,” said Lady Mary. She leaned back and closed her eyes. To-night when the two women en- tered Lady Mary’s drawing room there was a huge fire roaring up the wide chimney, and the Hon. Billy stood before it on the hearth-rug, gloom on his usually good-natured face, A maid took the cloaks and wraps: a footman served coffee and retired; Lady Mary yawned. “I don’t know when I was so tired, Phil, dear, you really must excuse me, I dare say Billy has lots to gay to you. Don't sit up long, it’s 2 o’clock now.” She gave Phil a peck of a kiss and waved her hand to Billy. Phillis stood by the fire, the toe of her dainty slipper resting on the fender. “Why did you leave without us to- night?” she asked at length. “Because I object to seeing you on friendly terms with Lord Seldon,” he said, in his downright way. Or perhaps I should say that I object to my flancee into their Phil's hand the car A Complete Story Every Saturday