The evening world. Newspaper, June 17, 1922, Page 13

TONER III * ployees have alwa . ‘ MARJORIE FRENTON, his drama. HE personally conducted tour round Frenton's Steel Works paused, as usual, on reaching the show piece of the enter- The mighty hammer, oper- e ease by € movement of a single lever, never led to get a round of applause from ie fascinated onlookers. This time it ould crash downward, delivering @ blow which shook the ground; next time it would repeat the performance, only to stop just as the spectators ‘were bracing themselves for the shock —stop with such mathematical exacti- tude that the glass of a watch beneath ft would be cracked but the works lwould not be damaged. Old Frenton had made the works. He was a millionaire now, many times lever, but he could still recall the duy lwhen sixpence extra a day had meant ithe difference between chronic penury nd affluence. He paid his men well—- lalmost lavish!) | he asked was that hey should work in a similar spirit. dd he did more 'To him every man he employed was personal friend; again, all he asked as that they should regard him like- se. Boys,”’ he had sald to them on one on, when a spirit of unrest had been abroad in the neighboring works, ff you've got any grievance, there's only one thing | ask. Come and get tt off your chests to me. [Don't get muttering and grousing about it on corners. If I can remedy it, I will f I can't, I'll tell you why. Anywa r the air, a a In such manner had John Frenton his works; in such manner had come a millionaire and found Biabpiness as well. And then had home the great grief of his life. His fe died when Marjorie, the only Whild, was born. On the girl he lav- hed all the great wealth of love of Ahich his rugged nature was capable. fe idolized her; and she, because her hature was sweet, remained « charm- ng, unaffected girl ‘Then she'd it the man. It would perhaps be more correct to jay that the man had met her. The Hon. Herbert Strongley received an ntimation from an aunt of his that if 6 would find it convenient to abstain or a while from his normal method be living, and come and stay with her in the country, she would int luce him to a charming git! staying ta neighboring house, Sie speci- ed who the charming girl was and yuggested that, though from his birth lerbert had been a fool, he couldn't e such a damned foo! as to let this She was an outspoken lady, was aunt. *) is Je The Honorable Herbert made Inquiries and left London next ora protracted stay with his 1 ive. It took him a week—he pos- eased a very charming manner did lerbert—before he was formally en- ed to Marjorie. The armament of hinetecn has but little ting power exposed to the batteries of a slooking, delightful man of the World who is really bringing all his ns to bear. And becauso the man as a consummate actor when he hose to be, he had but little more in getting through the of her father. Marjorie leemed wonderfully happy; that was he chief thing to John Frenton. And 6 was getting old rying out his ual routine at the works was daily lecoming more and more of a strain, Why not? He had no son—ever ing would go to his girl and her hu nd at his death, His lifework rould be in their hands. If e'd had his way, perhaps, he'd have osen some one with a little more Inowledge of the trade—the Honor- ible Herbert didn’t know the differ- nce between mild and tool steel; but iter all a bappy marriage did not epend on such technical qualifica- And so his prospective son-in-law came a prospective partner, Osten- ly he was supposed to be picking the tricks of the trade, a perform~- nee which afforded him no pleasure hatever. He loathed work in any brm; he regarded it as a form of rtial insanity. But he was far too tute a person to run any risks. He was playing for immeasurably | ger stakes than he could afford to | e, and in addition he was quite Lf sguinely fond of Marjorie In his own } lar way. He intended to marry er, and then, when the old man was and he was visibly falling—the ‘onorable Herbert had his own ideas the subject of Frenton’s Steel ‘orks. The only trouble was that irenton’s Steel Works had their own leas on the subject of the Honorable erbert, though that gentleman was jpremely ignorant of the fact. For e men did not like the Honorable erbert—in fact they disliked him nsiderably; and since there was no ret regarding his future—a future hich concerned them intimately— error in the calculations was mous. They were a rough-and-ready 4, with rough-and-ready ideas of ce and fair play. In addition they iolized Marjorie Frenton and her ther to a man. It had taken them ut a month to size up the new er, and that was six months Since then, slowly and inexor- y—their brains did not work very itckly—the determination that they ° of ead “JOHN FRENTON, owner of the Frenton Steel Works, whose em- trusted him and who have been his best friends, daughter, with a strong conviction that her father’s policy has been the right one. HONORABLE HERBERT STRONGLEY, whose engagement to seat has made him a prospective partner in the Frenton Works. \J JOHN MORRISON, a workman who has the interest of other orkmen very much at heart and doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind. LORD CARLAKE, who takes part in the last scene of the little would not have the Honorable Her- bert a& John Frenton's successor had crystallized and hardened, For a while they had waited; sure- ly the old man did not see: The Hon- orable Herbert still strolled yawn- ing through the works, taking not the slightest notice of any of the hands—the man whom they In future would have to work for. Very good; if old John could not see it for him- self, other steps would have to be taken to dispose of the gentleman. HEY might have been peace- ful steps but for an incident which had occurred the day before the personally con- ducted tour already mentioned. [t was conducted by the Honorable Her- bert himself, and consisted of the house party staying with John Fren- ton and Marjorie. The house party noticed nothing unusual, somewhat naturally; they were bored or inter- ested according to their natures. But as the tour progressed a look of puz- ed wonder began to dawn in Mar- jorie's eyes, ‘What on earth the matter with the men, Herbert" she demanded. “I've never seen them like this be- The Honorable Herbert cursed un- der his bre He, too, had been painfully awa of the scowls which had followed them, though he had hoped against hope that Marjorie would not notice. Moreover, he had known only too well the reason of the demonstration. And now it would come to old John’s ears. He cursed again as the girl looked at him with questioning eyes. “Lord knows, my dear,"’ he an- abruptly. “I suppose the blighters have got some fancied griev- ance."" ““‘Blighters! Fancied grievance!’ "' The girl stepped back in genuine amazement, “Then why don’t you have them together and ask them, like daddy used to do?" As she spoke she glanced over his shoulder, and for a moment her eyes met those of a man standing behind him. He was looking at her deliber- ately and intently, and suddenly, to her surprise, he held up a_ twisted slip of paper in his hand. Then he pointed to the floor and turned away. It had been done so quickly that for a while she could hardly believe her eyes. One of the men, trying to pass swered, a secret note. . To her ‘ What on earth was the matter with everybody? .. Once again the man looked at her with the suspicion of a smile on his face, and she frowned quickly. He was impertinent, this youngster, and she turned to her flance. tered now that the heen ona then She remem- last time she had round she had seen him working lathe; that it had struck her that he had seemed different from the others—his hands, olly though they were; the cool unem- barrassed look in his eyes; his way of speaking Almost as if he had been her equal. And now he was presuming on her kindness then, Her hands clenched involuntarily us she looked at her flance. “What is the name of that man vith his back half toward us, over there?"' she demanded. For the mo- ment the “fancied grievance'’’ wus forgotten in more personal matters. The Honorable Herbert, thankful for the respite, swung around, Then as he saw the subject of her question his jaw set in an ugly line. ‘John Morrison," he answered, shortly. “And if I had my way I'd sack him on the spot. A use- less argumentative, insubordinate swine. . . 2 And it was as this graceful eulogy concluded that John Morrison looked at her again, Her flance had moved away, and she was standing alone. For a moment she hesitated; then she, too, turned to join the rest of the party. And lying on the ground where she had been, was her hand- kerchief . . . 6 OU dropped your handker- chief, Miss Frenton.”” A courteous, well-bred voice was speaking close behind her, and she turned slowly to find John Morrison holding it out to her. “Thank you," she answered. Rolled up inside it she could feel the twisted wisp of paper, and as the Hon, Her- bert came up with an angry look on his face she hesitated. “What do you want?” he snapped at the man. ‘Miss Frenton dropped her hand- kerchief, sir,"’ answered Morrison, impassively. The other grunted. “All right, Get on with your work." Marjorie hesitated no longer. With 4 sort of blinding certainty there flashed into her mind the conviction that something was wrong. She didn't stop to analyze her thoughts; she merely felt convinced that John Mor- rison was not an insubordinate swine, and that in the note she held in her hand lay the clue to a great deal that was puzzling her at the moment. And so with a gracious smile at the man she slipped her handkerchief into her vag. It was ten minutes before she found an opportunity for reading the note. it was in pencil, and the handwriting was small and neat. THE EVENING WORLD, SAT “It is immaterial to me what action you take on receiving this,’ it ran “But if you are in any way interested in your fiance's future, I most strong- ly advise you to suggest @ change of air to him, Of his capabilities as a husband you must decide for yourself; of his capabilities as the boss of Frenton's, other people have already decided, as possibly you may have no- ticed this morning. So get him away, and keep him away. You haven't got much time. “Get him away, and keep him away.'’ The words danced before the girl's eyes. She was conscious of no anger against John Morrison; merely of a stunned surprise. The thing was 80 totally unexpected. ‘‘Of his capa- bilities as the boss of Frenton other people have already decided. And even as she read and reread the sentence, she found that she was ac tually asking herself the question: “Was it so totally unexpected after all?’ That matters should have come to a head in such an abrupt way was a staggering shock; but 2 4 She crumpled the note into her bag once more, and walked slowly toward the waiting cars. A hundred little half- defined thoughts came crowding in on her memory; a hundred little things which had not struck her at the time —or was it that she hadn't allowed them to strike her?—now arrayed themselves in massed formation in front of her. She paused, with her foot on the step of the car, The Hon. Herbert was solicitously bending over a stout and boring aunt of hers, and she watched him dispassionately. “Of his capabilities as a husband you must decide for yourself.'' Impertinent. da And yet she was not con- scious of any resentment. ome up to lunch, Herbert,” she said, as he stepped over to her. “I want to talk to you afterwards.” He raised hie eyebrows slightly. “T shall be very busy this afternoon, dear.” “I think the works will stand your absence for one afternoon," she re- marked, quietly, and he bit his lp, “Il be there, Marjorie." He fum- bled with her rug. “One o'clock sharp, I suppose.” He stood back, and the cars rolled off. “What a charming man your fi- ance is, my dear,” cooed the elderly female e«itting beside Marjorie, “So polite—so . . . +80... + » im- pressive.” The girl smiled a little absently, and nodded, “Impressive. . ” struck her that the word exactly de- scribed Herbert. He was !mpressive, And then, because she was loyal clean through, she started to fan herself into a furious rage at the abominable impertinence of this wretched man, John Morrison, Herbert was righ’ he was an insubordinate swine. . . . How dare he—how dare he—hand her such a note! He ought to be sacked at once. She would tell Herbert about it after Iunch and he would explain matters, Of course, he would explain of course, « OHN FRENTON was standing on the steps as the cars drove up, and impulsively she went up to him, “Herbert is coming to lunch, dada; she eried, putting her arm through his. “Ig he, darling?” sald the old man, patting her hand, ‘That's all right. He turned to the rest of the party as it came up, ‘Well—what do you think of my works? None in England to beat ‘em, my friends, not if you search from John o'Groats to Land's End, And as for a strike, it's un- known, sir, unknown My men don't do it, whatever other firms may do."* He passed into the house, talking animatedly to one of his guests, and for a while Marjorie stood, staring over the three miles of open country, to where the high chimneys of Fren- ton's steel works stuck up like slender sticks against the dull background of smoke. Then with a little sigh, she too, went up the steps into the house. Herbert, I don't quite understand about this morning.” She was in her own sitting room, and her fiance, standing in front of the fire, was lighting a cigarette, “What is the matter at the works?" All through lunch the Hon Herbert, in the Intervals of being charming to the ghastly collection of cla bores— as he mentally dubbed them—who formed the party, had been puzzling out the best line to take at this inter- view. That the girl had seen that something was wrong was obviou no one but a blind person could have failed to notice it. And now that tho interview had actually started he was still undecided. . . . “My dear little girl,'’ he remarked, gently, sitting down beside her and taking her hand. “Why wor. ry about it? As I told you this morn- ing, some little grievance, I expect— which T'll inquire into..." The girl shook her head ‘It's something very mucn more than a grievance,"' she sald quietly but positively. ‘‘There’s something “TAKE IT BACK, PLEASE,” won't you For a moment he hesitated. “If possible, Marjorie “But of course it's possible,’ she cried, impulsively. “At our works, you've only got to ask Have the men together and ask. i The Honorable Herbert's face was expressioniess, as he bent over and Kissed her “Quite so, darling,” he murmured. “Dont woery about it any more. cad ND it was not until he was at the wheel of his car driving back office that ne gave his real feel- Ings. “Ask the men?’* He saw him- self doing it. The cursed luck of the to his vent to thing. But for that one episode yes- terday, he could have bluffed it through, until they were married at any rate. After that he had never had any Intention of carrying on a deception which bored him to ex- tinction: there would be no need to. But now. The marvel to him was that they hadn't struck already, And once they did and John Frenton came down to the work and the cause became known good-bye to his hopes of the future. Marjorie would never forgive him. SHE LAID HER ENGAGEMENT RING ON THE TABLE, radically wrong, Herbert. I want to know what it is. “Good heavens! Marjorie''—there was a hint of impatience in his voice —"haven’t I told yon I'll Inquire into it? Do be reasonable, my dear girl.’ “I'm being perfectly reasonable,” she answered, still In the same quict tone, ‘But I don't understand how things have got as far as they have without any steps on your part. Y say you don't know what's the mat- ter. Daddy would have known long ago—and remedied it." The Honor- able Herbert's opinion of daddy, at that moment, remained unspoken +. . “You see,’? went on the girl, “they're just part of daddy, are the works. He was only saying to-day that he had never had any strikes. And now, when he's getting ol :_. ." She stirred restlessly in her chair, and looked at the fire. “Of his capabilities as the boss of Frenton’s, other people have already decided.” The words danced before her in the flames, and almost passionately she turned to the man beside her. ‘Don't you see," she cried, ‘don't you realize that I feel responsible? You're there —as a partner—because you're my flance. That's the only reason, The works will come to me when daddy dies; I shall be responsible for them— T and my husband." yA “Technical knowledge isn't wanted, Herbert--so much as human know!- edge, personality. I could run tho works—with the help of Mr, Thomp- son and the other managers. . . . Ah, dear!" she bent forward quickly. “I don't want to hurt you, But I just can’t imagine what would have happened if dad had goue round the works with us this morning. . . . I believe it would have almost killed him, Ou “Very well, dear, if those are your feelings there is no more to be said." With quiet dignity her flance rose to his feet. “If you are not satisfled with me -" He left the sen- tence unfinished. “I am," she cried, quickly, * Herbert — perfectly satisfied. am. But “Then don't think ai it,"" he said, quickly ‘ll go down little girl, and find out what the trouble is. And then I'll put it rig and let you know. . z “You'll let me know this evening, more about And as the realization of what that would entail struck him seriously for the first time, he swore savagely. He had been banking on thi nton millions not only morally but actual ly. And if they failed to material ize. Once again he curse under his breath. It after dinner t Marjorie made up her mind. She twice rung up her fiance with no re- sult. The first time he had not come in: the second he had just gone out to the local theatre, the servant be lieved. With a frown she hung up the receiver, and turning away walked slowly to her father’s study “I want to see the book of ad dresses, daddy,"’ she said, quietly It was one of old nton hobbies to e the ade his men entered of a which enabled periodical gifts to ar- in large book rive if there Was any illness in the family. “It's over there girlie,’ he said, with a sleepy smile. ‘What do you want It for “Mrs. Tracy has just had a baby,” she announced, turning over the leaves, Hut tt was not under the T's that she looked. Mendle, Morgan, Morri- son Morrison, John, 9, Castle Road Thoughtfully she closed the book, and put it back in its prop- er place. Then she crossed the room ssed her father lovingly on his 1 re whispered, with the general a dear “Go old thin) she and play billiards A few minutes later she was driv- ing her little runabout towards Castle Roud. An onlooker, had he t to see under the thick yell s! would have been struck with the | ness of the small determined face t that of old John Frenton, Like her father she came to a decis she required some stopping. n able wort once ASTLE ROAD proved to be a vetter than had Most of nds preferred to liv neighborhood expected nearer to ks, and this street struck ui more suitable for well-to-d F ut she was far too pre-oectt \ worry much wth su John Morrison and the truth what she wanted. left the we URDAY, JUNE 17, OMPLETE NOVELETTE 1922, car at the end of the street and walked to Number 9, Yes. Mr. Morrison was at home. A disapproving sniff preceded the opening of a sitting-room door, which closed with a bang behind her. She heard the steps of the landindy going down the stairs, and then sne took an uncertain pace forward. by: Se I ite mered. sho stam- Undoubtedly the man tn eve- ning clothes facing her was John Morrison, but he looked av different. And whoever had heard of a factory hand getting into a smoking jacket for dinner? And the room - The prints on the walls; the big roll-top desk; golf clubs In the corner, and to cap everything—a gun- case hink there must be some mis- she sald, haltingly. “I muse apologize en ess She turned as If to leave the room, “I hope not, Miss Frenton.'' She gave a little start; she had hoped he had not recognized her, ‘Won't you come and sit down by the fire and tell me what I ean do for you?” After a moment's hesitation she did said you must admit, she loosened her vell “that there as Mr. Morrison,’ as she spoke, is some excuse for my surprise The man glanced round the room with a slight smile, %,'' he murmured. ‘I can un nd it causing you a slight Had I known you were com- would have tried to make It er—startling."’ “What on earth are you doing in » works?"’ she asked curiously. ly poor concerns will keep, Miss nton.’’ A charming smile robbed the words of any offense. I don't think it was to discuss me that you came to-night. My note, I suppose. Am I to be rebuked, “No,"' she answered, slowly, “I am to be enlightened, please.”’ “Have you spoken to Strongley about It? he asked, after a pause. She raised her eyebrow “I asked Mr. Strongley what was the matter with the men, after lunch to-day."" “I stand corrected." pressionless face John out he With an ex- Morrison held a heavy silver cigarette box to but ehe shook her head. oO, thank you," she said, curtly, and he replaced the box on the table. “But please smoke yourself, if you want to.” “And what did Mr, Strongley say?" asked the man, “Nothing.” She stared at the fire with a little frown. ‘He didn't seem to know; but he said he'd find out and ring me up. He hasn't done so, and I want to know, Mr, Morrison—know the truth, There's something radi cally wrong down there. What is it? John Morrison thoughtfully lt cigarette and leaned against the man- telpicce, staring down at her “May I ask you one or two ques- tions, Miss Frenton; questions which, though they may sound impertinent, are not intended in that spirit?’ “Yes."" She looked up at him stead ily. “But I don't promise to answer." “How long ago did you meet Her bert Strongley?"" “About @ year,’ “And how long was \t before you got engaged to him?"’ She shifted a little in her chatr, “Not very long,"’ she said at length He did not press the point; though a faint smile hovered for a moment on his lps, “Not very long," he repeated, soft- ly. “Are you quite sure, Miss Fren ton—and this is a very important question—are you quite sure that you huven't made a mistake ‘It may be important, but it's one I absolutely refuse to answer." Sh faced him angrily. “What business 1 t of yours ‘Absolutely none—at the moment he said, quietly ‘But you ve come to tne to find out what the trouble is And if you bave not mar. any mis: with regard to your engagement 1 udvine you to carry oul the suges stat tet tion contained in my note fance away frou Frenton's him eway, both before anc marriage, a blow Get your and keep after your Tt will come, I imagine, as to your father, buy you ean sily turn it luro a compeny."* with Jake,"’ she said, slowly, and at the sound of her voice Strongles swung round with a violent start. “Marjorie . * he gasped, ‘what on earth oe “Why didn’t you tell me at the be “You mean--that the mer don't like ginning?” she demanded, staring a! Herbert?" Sue forced herself to ask him with level eyes, ‘Why lie abou the question. it? It seems so unnecessary anid mean,’ he answered, deliver- petty. And then—to hit Jake ove ately, “that tie men loatne and te. the head. . You... Take test him, and thar only th: love they pack, please.” She lald her engage have for you mid your father has ment ring in the table. “And stuved off troube up till now. And think you'd better go—at once. Tir even that love w''! fail ty avert a eri: fault was partially mine; and | sin after—weli, after the regrettable wouldn't like them to punish you fo my—for my mistake, . episode that hap}-ned yest srday:."* “What was it)’ she demanded, and Dgr voice sounced dead to the man, ITHOUT another word si: “T don't think we new! bother as turned and left the room to what It was," he said quietly. And it was not till t} “Shall we leave it at the fact that f we tea ront door banged th however exesiient a husband Strong. Strongley turned his livid face ley may mate, as the bow 3 ; f Kren- He bit aw the look on the girl's John Morrison. ton's he is 4 complete failure. *You swine” be muttered his lip as he wt Heve this was a put-up job.” foce. Then he went on in the same a i quiet voice. ‘Things lik» this hurt, J9RR Morrison laughed. Miss Frenton, buy you are ths type See COR. RE TAN WerS. wont ing, didn’t you?" “No—I didn't tell you," said Strony ley slowly, with a vicious look daw ing in his eyes. “Which perhaps a counts for the fact that Miss Frento was here. , + In your bedroom i How nice. The gentl man workman and the employer daughter, A charming ro mance. T should think Mi Frenton will be delighted to hear | to-morrow. Pau Not a muscle on John Morrison face moved “More than delighted, 1 should {hy agine, Except that it will | a little late. Personally, 1 am goin up to tell h'm to-night, He smile slightly. ‘“t don't ke you. Strong ley; L know far too much about yo that appreciitos frankness, you quite op that the r ter your flancv, And I don‘: tLem."* “You side with them, do you?’ threw the words at him flercely. “Am I not one of them?" he replied, gravely. “You know you're not."* up and faced him, the ordinary hands ning clothes; look at that gun-case in the corner.” , She paused ay she saw the sudden look on his face. “What is it"? “Into this room quickly,"* he whis- pered. ‘You must stop there till he goes. Good Lord! What a complica- tion !"* “Who 1s It?" she cried, startled by 11 teil are af- blame She She stood “You're not one of Look at your eve- his evident agitation But I did pass Miss Frenton a not “Strongly,” he whispered. “Heard to-day at the works warning her his voice in the hail, Absolutely un. &°t you away. : expected “Your solicitude for my welfare overwhelming,” sneered Strongley E closed the door, and she . heavens,’ found herself in his bedroom, Mc T didn't jood son, laughed Jol “are a damn abo Just us the landiady ushered you. T was afraid the men might imthecabeond vinioe into trouble, Steady! Don't get «: And if Marjorie had been surprised With me. I'm not half-witted; and can hit back." on her first entr : It was in London the followir son's rooms, nee to John Morri- it was evident that the Honorable Herbert was even more so, Pring that Marjorie Frenton ne: “Good Lord, man’ he spluttered. 8aW John Morrison, She had no “Why the glad rigs? I—er—or cour been present at the interview wil it's no business of mine, but your gen- eral appearance gave me a bit of a shock." ‘To the girl listening intensely on the other side of the door it seemed as if a mote of relief had crept into her fiance's voice—relief In which a cer- tain amount of uneasiness was min- gled. What can I do for you?" Morrison asked, gravely. “Well—er—don't you know'—un doubtedly the visitor was aot at all sure of his ground—"your rooms and that sort of things have rather knocked her father--was in ignorance that hud ever taken place until the ne day, And on that next day Joh Morrison had disappeared, leaving uv trace. : For a while she had walted, won dering whether he would write—br no word came, After all, why shoul he? There was nothing to write abou * * © It was merely curiosity o her part—nothing more, of course. * © A workman in evening clothe * * © Enough to make anyboid curious, © * © And now there he was—three tabi: Joha me, I mean—er—I'm rather in the away, dining with a very prett soup, Morrison, and [ really came woman. He hadn't seen her yet. round to axk you, advice, don’t you Probably wouldn't remember he know. I mean ypu saw the whole thing when he did. . After all, wh —yeaterday, and though I'm afraid I should he? . And at that m. lost my temper with you, too, yeteven ment their eyes met. é at the time T saw you were dif. locked away at once, And—er—T thought" started talking to the man next ( The Honorable Herbert mopped his forehead and sank Into a chair, “The mere fact that 1 change for dinner doesn’t seem to alter the sit- uation appreciably,’ sald Morrison, quietly, “No, by Jove—I suppose not.” The other sat up and braced himself for the plunge. "Well, what the hell am I to do? And what the devil are the men going to do? Are they going to strike 2” “No—I don't think #0." smiled at the sudden look of relief on Strongley's face. “They're too fond of Mr. Frenton and his daughter. It's you they're after. ‘What are they going to do?" “Give you a pleasant half-hour under the steam hammer,” said Mor- rison, deliberately, and the other rose with a stifled ery. “Just to test your nerves. Let it drop to within an inch of you then stop it, And If that doesn’t expedite your departure—they'll take other steps.” “But, damn it her; but even as she spoke she knew John Morrison had risen and ws coming toward her. “How are you, Miss Frenton?’ Si: looked up into his face; met the glir of a smile in the lazy blue eyes, “Quite well, thank you, Mr, Mor son,” she answered coldly. Hullo, Joe!"" A woman oppos had begun*to speak to stop with Puzzled frown at Marjorie’s wor “Morrison! Why Morrison? Have you been masquerading, under an assumed name?" “I did for a while, Jane," he said calmly, ‘to avoid you; you know hoy you pursued me with eligible girls Battalions of ‘em, Miss Fren ranged in rows. I had to disap stealthily in the dead Morrison Jor ton- pear hight “well, married?" laughing “Very when are you going to ge! demanded the woman soon, I hope. I dy much better than you, Jane, in thes: things: girl dred Morrison," his voice was shaking—‘'don't you undersiand T can't go? I—er—pood Lerd! Do you suppose I want to stop here one second longer than I must? I loathe it. Can't you stop ‘em, man; tel ‘em The girl I've got my eye on i who summoned several hun actory hands together and toi was sorry for a mistake she's And she halted a bit, an stumbled a bit—but she got throug I'm clearing the instant I'm"— with it And then the me: “Married,” said Morrison quietly. cheered ‘emselves sick, A} “Well, yes,'’ sald the other, 1" nod heavens! Joe. . . . Fac uve to be frank with you—and I can tory hands!"? gasped the woman see you'll understand,” His eyes “what sort of a girl is she?” strayed about the room. “I'll admit “a perfect topper, Jane.” Out absolutely that this isn’t my line; Ide- the corner of his eye he glanced w test the But old Frenton ts Marjorie, wrapped up in these works—and 1 her plate he looks for a son-in-law who will ton, has your father turned his work whose eyes were fixed or “By the way, Miss Fren- carry on, After I am married I can into a company yet?” explain things to him, don't you >t yet, she answered very low know. And until then—well, we must «Ah! that's good.” He forced he stave off this trouble, Morrison.’ “Wouldn't it be a little more straightforward to explain your views to him before the marriage?" “Perhaps it would have been," said to meet his eyes, and there was some thing more than a smile on his face now, ‘Well, I must go back to my sister. And I'll come and ca) to-morrow if I may. Jan the other, with apparent frankness. will expose my wicked deceit doubt “But it's too late now—and then jess a there's that damned show yesterday, “Mad—quite mad," remarked th Phat'y what I'm so afraid will come out.’ He stared at the fire. ‘I diin't mean to hurt the fellow,’ he went on, querulously. ‘And I'm certain bs dropped that spanner on my toe on woman opposite as he went back \: his interrupted dinner, “Morrison. did you say? I knew he wanted tu study labor conditions first-hand. why, Heaven knows, He's got works purpose of his own or something. . Still, that hardly seoms suffictent fyyt all the Carlakes are mad. justifieation for slugging # boy, WhO And I'd got a splendid American gi: is not quite all there, over the head \p my sleeve for him. ” with an iron does It Almost Curiuke,"’ said Marjorie, a tt unconsciously his eyes travelled to faintly. ‘Is that Lord Carlake?” the bedroom door as he spoke, and “Of course it is, my dear, ‘That then he grew suddenly rigid, For Joe Carlake Mad as a ha the door was open, and the girl stood ter : 1 wonder who the gir between the two rooms with a look is? ae of incredulous horror on her face. Copyright, eo, H. Doran Oe, “So thats what was the matter "nts, ment with Faeenen { i