THE 8EMI.WFEKLY TRIBUNE. NORTH PLATTE. NEBRA8KA.
M The Hollow
.
of
Her
1 - - - - WfftSW'' -S
JL XCAi ixdL
iL '
CHAPTER XIX.
The Hollow of Her Hand.
When Booth called In the afternoon
at Sura's npartment, ho was met by
tlio iiowh tlmt Hho was qulto 111 rtnd
could seo no ono not ovon him. Tho
doctor had been summoned during the
night and had returned In tho morn
ing, to find that she had a vory high
temperature. Tho butler could not
enlighten Booth further than this,
except to ndd that a nurso was com
ing in to take charge of Mrs. Wran
dall, more for tho purpoao of watching
her BymptomB than for anything else,
he believed. At least, so tho doctor
had nald.
Two days passed before the dis
tressed young man could got any defi
nite nows concerning her condition.
Ho unconsciously began to think ot it
ns n malady, not a moro illnos, due
of course to a remark Carroll had
dropped when Sara had told him tho
wholo truth of tho tragedy and of
her own vlndlctivo plans. It was
Carroll himself who gave a deflnlto re
port of Sara. He met tho lawyer com
ing away from tho apartment whon ho
called to inquire.
"Hho Isn't out of her head, or any
thing llko that," said Carroll uneasily,
"but Hho'u in a bad way, Booth. I'll
tell you what I think ia troubling her
more than anything elso. Down in her
heart Bho realizes that Ilotty Castle
ton liar, got to he brought faco to face
wllli tho Wrandalls."
"The douce you say!"
"Today I snw her for tho first time
Almost immediately sho asked mo if
I thought tho Wrandalls would treat
Hetty fairly If thoy ovor found out
tho truth about her. I said I thought
thoy would. I didn't havo tho heart
to toll hor that their grievance un
doubtedly would bo shifted from Hetty
to her, and that thoy wouldn't bo like
ly to forglvo her for tho stand she'd
taken. Sho doesn't seem to caro, how
ever, what tho Wrandalls think of hor.
By tho way, havo you any lnfluenco
over Hotty Castloton?"
"I wish I woro suro that I had," said
Booth.
"Do you think sho would como if you
sent her a cablogram?"
"I am going over "
"Sho will havo your letter In a
couplo of days, according to Sara, who
eoemB to have a very faithful corre
spondent In tho person of that maid.
I shudder to think of tho cable tolls
In tho past few months! I sometimes
wonder if tho maid suspects anything
moro than n loving interest In Miss
Custloton. What 4 was about to sug
Kust Id this: Couldn't you cable hor on
Friday saying that Sara is very 111?
TIiIh is Tuesday."
'I will cablo, of courso, but Sara
miiHt not know that I'vo dono It."
"Can you como to my ofllco tomor
row afternoon?"
"Yoa. Tomorrow night I shall go
over to Philadelphia, to bo gono till
Friday. I hopo it will not bo necessary
for mo to stay longer. Yotr nover can
tell about theso operations."
"1 trust everything will go well,
Brandon."
Sovoral things of noto transpired
before noon on Friday.
Tho Wrandalls nrrlved from Eu
ropo, without tho recalcitrant colonel.
Mr. Rodmond Wrandall, who met them
Ht the dock, heaved a sigh of relief.
'nlo will be ovor on tho LuBltanla.
next nailing," said LobIIo, who for
uomn reason best known to himself
woro a troubled look.
Mr Wrandall'a faco fell. "I hopo
not," ho Haid, much to tho Indignation
Ho
Met tho Lawyer Coming
Away
From the Apartment.
of IiIh wlfo and tho socrot uncaslncau
of IiIh aon. "These predatory conncc
Mono of tho British nobility"
"Predatory!" gasped MrH, Wrandall.
" aro a blood-suoking lot," went on
tho old gentleman firmly, "If he
comes to New York, Losllo, I'll stake
ny hoad lio won't bo long In borrowing
n fow thousand dollars from each of
ub. And he'll not seok to humUlato us
by ntlemptlng to pay It back. Oh, 1
know them."
Losllo swallowed rather hard.
"Wlmt's tho nows horo, dad?" ho asked
haBtlly. "Anybody doad?"
"Sura Is quite ill, I hoar. Slow fever
of some sort, Carroll tells me."
m$jii lllftllll
W ' ' KT 'A
UCUI '-
coPYsvGfr.wz or
"Is oho going to marry
Brandy
Booth?" asked his son.
Mr. Wrandall's faco BtifTenod. "I
foar I was a llttlo hasty in my conclu
sions. Brandon came to tho ofllce a
fow days ago and Informed mo in
rather plain words that thoro is abso
lutely nothing In the report."
"Tho dcuco you say! 'Gad, I wrote
her a rather lntlmnto letter" Leslie
got no farther than this. Ho was
somewhat stunned und bewildered by
hie prlvato reflections.
Mr. Wrandall was lost in study for
somo mlnutcB, paying no attention to
tho remarks of tho other occupants of
tho motor that whirled them ncrosB
town.
"By the way, my dear," he said to
bin wife, a trifle Irrelevantly, "don't
you think It would be right for you
and Vivian to drop in this afternoon
and soo Sara? Just to let hor know
that sho lBn't without"
"It's out of tho question, Redmond,"
said his wife, a shocked exprcsiilon in
her faco as much as to say that he
must bo qulto out of his hoad to sug
gest Buch a thing. '"Wo shall bo dread
fully busy for sovoral days, unpacking
and well, doing all sorts of necessary
things."
"Sho Is pretty sick, I hear," mumbled
he.
"Husn't sho got a nurse?" demanded
his wife.
"1 merely offered tho suggestion In
order "
"Well, we'll seo her next week. Any
othor news?"
"Mre. Booth, Brandon's mother, was
operated on for something or other
day boforo yesterday."
"Oh, dear! Tho poor thing! Where?"
"Philadelphia, of course."
"I wondor if lot mo soo, Leslio,
lBn't thoro a good train to Philadel
phia at four o'clock? I could go "
"Heally, my dear," said her hus
band sharply.
"You forgot how busy wo are, moth
er," Bald Vivian, without a smile.
"Nonsenso!" eald Mrs. Wrandall, In
considerable confusion. "Was It a seri
ous operation, Redmond?"
"Thoy cut n bono out of her nose,
that'B nil. Brandon says hor heart Is
weak. Thoy wero afraid of tho ether.
She's all right, Carroll says."
"Goodnessl" cried Mrs. Wrandall.
Ono might havo suspected a noto of
disappointment In hor voice.
"I shall go up to seo Sara this after
noon," said Vivian calmly. "What's
tho number of her new apartmont?"
"You havo boon up to see her, of
courso," Bald Mrs. Wrandall acidly.
Ho fldgotted. "I didn't hoar of her
lllnesB until yesterday."
"I'll go up with you, Vlv," said Lea
He. "No, you won't," said his sister flat
ly. "I'm going to apologlzo to hor for
something 1 eald to Brandon Booth.
You needn't tag along, Los."
At half-past flvo In tho afternoon,
the Wrandall llmouslno stopped In
front of tho tall apartmont building
near tho park, a footman Jorkod open
tho door, and Miss Wrandall stopped
.out. At tho same moment a telegraph
messenger boy paused on tho sldowalk
to computo tho artistic but puzzling
numerals on tho Imposing grilled doors
of tho building.
Miss Wrandall had herself an
nounced by tho obsequious doorman,
and stood by In patlonco to wnlt for
tho absurd rulo of tho houso to bo
carried out: "No ono could got In
without bolng announced from below,"
said tho doorman,
"I c'n got In all right, nil right," aald
tho mcBBcngor boy, "I got a tcllygram
for do loldy."
"Go to tho roar!" exclaimed the
doorman, with somo onergy. 0
While Miss Wrandnll waltod In
Sara's rccoptlon hall on tho tenth floor,
tho mosBonger, having traversed n
moro devious route, arrived with his
message.
Watson took tho envolopo nnd told
him to wait. Flvo minutes pansed.
MIbs Wrandall grow very uncomfort
able uuder tho porslstont though com
pllmontnry gazo of tho streot urchin.
Ho stared nt her, wido-oyed and ad
miring, his tribute to tho glorious. She
stared back occasionally, nurrow-oyed
and ropiovlng, hor trlbuto to tho gro
tesque
"Will you plcaso stop Into tho drawing-room,
Miss Wrandall," snld Wat
boii. returning. Ho led hor across tho
small foyer and tlwow opon a door.
She passed Into tho room boyond.
Then he turned to tho hoy who stood
boaldo tho hall Boat, making change
for a quarter as ho approached.
"Hero," ho Bald, handing him tho ro
colpt book nnd a dime, "that's for
you." Ho dropped the quartor Into his
own pockot, whoro It mlnglod with
coins that wore strangers to It up to
that instant, and Imperiously closed
the door behind tho boy who fallod to
any "thank you." Every man to x
trado!
There was a woman In tho drawing
room when Vivian entered, Btandlug
well ovor against tho windows with
her back to tho light. Tho visitor
stopped short In uurprlso. Shu had
oxpected to find her sister-in-law In
.bed, attended by n politely superior
person In pure white.
"Why, Sara," sho began, "l tun so
glad to soo you tiro up and"
Tho other woman camo forward.
"ll.W '. nt.. ttr Biro Minn U'rnnnll '
.Uk UUI V IJU.U, .IO HIUUU1U1,
e Barr
GtoRoT&Artn mcinyjro : coirM(;7; ?2 sYPODDyrtsiDcoMmiy
sho said, In a woll-romcmbcred voice.
"How do you do?"
Vivian found herself looking Into
the faco of ilotty Castloton. Instantly
she extended hor hand.
"TIiIb Is a surprise !" sho exclaimed.
"Whon did you roturn? Leslie told
mo your plans were qulto settled whon
ho aw you In Lucorno, Oh, I see! Of
courso! How stupid of mo. Sara Bent
for you."
"Sho has been quite 111," said Hot
ty, noncommlttnlly. "Wo got In yester
day. I thought my placo was here,
naturally."
"Naturally," repeated Vivian, In a
dotached sort of way. "How Is she
today7 May I soo her?"
"Sho Is very much bettor. In fact,
she Is Bitting up In her room." A warm
flush Buffused her face, a shy smllo ap
peared In her eyes. "Sho Is receiving
$83
Vivian Found Herself Looking Into the
Face of Hetty Castleton.
two gentlemen visitors, to bo porfectly
honest, Miss Wrandall, her lawyer, Mr.
Carroll, and Mr. Booth."
They wero seated side by sldo on
tho uncomfortable) Louis Seizo divan
In tho middle of tho room.
"Perhaps sho won't caro to seo me.
after an audlenco so fatiguing," eald
Miss Wrandall sweetly. "And so ex
nBporatlng," sho added, with a smile.
Hotty looked her perplexity.
"But sho will see you, Miss Wran
dnll if you don't mind waiting. It Is
a business conference they're hav
ing." An Ironic gleam appeared In tho cor
ner of Vlvlan'e eye. "Oh," sho said,
and waited. Hetty smiled uncertain
ly. All at onco tho tall American girl
was impressed by tho wistful, almost
humblo look In tho Englishwoman's
oyeB, an appealing look that caused
hor to wonder not a little. Like a flash
sho jumped nt an obvious conclusion,
and almost caught her breath. This
girl loved Booth and waa losing him!
Vivian oxulted for a moment and then,
with an Impulse sho could not quite
catalogue, laid hor hand on tho other's
slim fingers, and murmured somewhat
hazily: "Never mind, nover mind!"
"Oh, you must wait," cried Hetty,
not at nil In touch with tho other's
mood. "Sara expects to seo you. Tho
men will bo out In a few minutes."
""I think I will run in tomorrow
morning," said Vivian hastily. Sho
aroso almost immediately and again
oxtendod her hand. "So glad to see
you back again, Miss Castleton. Come
and seo mo. Give my lovo to Sara."
Sho took her departure in somo
hasto, and in her heart Bho was rejoic
ing that sho had not succooded In ma
king a fool of herself by confessing to
Sara that sho had Raid unkind things
about hor to Brandon Booth.
Hotty resumed hor seat In tho broad
French window and stared out over
tho barren troetops in the park. A
frightened, pathetic droop returned to
her lips. It had been thero most of
tho day.
In Sara's boudoir, the doora ot which
wore carefully closed, throe persons
woro In close, even repressed confer
once. The young mistress of tho house
Bat propped up In a luxurious chalse
loungo, wanbut Intense. Confronting
bore woro tho two men, lennlng for
ward in their chairs. Mr. Carroll hold
in his bund a number of papors, prom
inent among them being throo or four
telograms. Booth's faco wbb radiant
despite tho sorlous matter that occu
pied hiB mind. Ho bad roached town
early In the morning In response to a
telephone mossngo from Carroll an
nouncing the HUdden. unnnnounced ap
pearance of Hetty Castleton at Ills or
llcos on tho previous afternoon. Tho
glrl'B arrival hnd boon most unexpect
ed. Sho walked in on Mr. Carroll, ac
companied by her maid, who had a dis
tinctly sheepish look in her oyea nnd
seemed eager to explain something
but could not find the opportunity.
With somo firmness, Miss Castleton
had asked Mr. Carroll to explain why
tho woman had been set to Bpy upon
her every moment, a domand tho wor
thy lawyer could not woll moot for tho
good and Bunlclont reason that ho
wasn't vory clear about It himself
Thou Hotty broko down and cried,
confessing that Bho wns eager to go to
Mrs, Wrandall, at tho same tlmo Bob
bing out something about n smbollc
dicky-bird, much to Mr. Carroll's won
dcr and porploxlty.
Ho sent tho maid from tho rooia.
McCutcheon
and rotlred with Miss Castleton to the
Innermost of his private offices, whoro
without much preamblo ho Informed
her that ho know everything. More
over, Mr. Booth wns In possession of
all tho facts and wns oven then on tho
point of starting for Europe to see her.
Of course, hiB lottor hnd failed to
reach her In tlmo. Thero wns quite a
tragic scene In the seclusion of that
remote llttlo ofllce, during which Mr.
Carroll wiped his eyes and blew his
noso moro than onco, after which ho
took It upon himself to dispatch a mes
sengor to Snrn with the word that ho
and Miss Castleton would present
themselves within half an hour after
his note had been delivered.
Tho meeting botweon Sara nnd Hot
ty was affecting. . . . Almost Im
mediately the former began to show
tho most singular signs of Improve
ment. Sho laughed and cried nnd joy
ously announced to the protesting
nurso that sho was feeling quite well
ngaln! And, in truth, sho got up from
tho couch on which sho reclined and
Insisted on bolng dressed for dinner,
in another room tho amazed nurso was
frantically appealing to Mr. Carroll to
lot her send for tho doctor, only to bo
confounded by his urbano announce
ment that Mrs. Wrandall was as "right
as a string" and, plcaso God, she
wouldn't need tho services of doctor or
nurso again for years to como. Then
he askod tho nurso if she had ever
heard of a disease called "nostalgia."
Sho said sho had heard of "home
sickness." "Well, that's what oiled Mrs. Wran
dall," he said. "Miss Castleton Is the
cure."
Booth camo the next morning.
. . Even as she lay passive in his
nrms, Hetty denied him. Hor arms
woro .around his nock as sho miserably
whispered that sho could not, would
not be his wife, notwithstanding her
lovo for him and his readiness to ac
cept her as she was. Sho was obdurate,
lovingly, tenderly obdurate. Ho would
have despaired but for Sara, to whom
he afterwards appealed.
"Wit." was all that Sara had said,
but he took heart. He was beginning
to look upon her as a sorceress. A
week ago ho had felt sorry for her;
his heart had been touched by her
transparent mlsory. Today ho saw
her In another light altogether; as the
determined, resourceful, calculating
woman who, having failed to attain a
certain end, was now intensely, keenly
interested in tho development of an
other of a totally different nature. Ho
could not feel sorry for hor today.
Hotty deliberately had placed her
self in their handB, withdrawing from
tho conference shortly boforo Vivian's
arrival to givo herself over to gloomy
conjectures as to the future, not only
for herself, but for the man she loved
and tho woman she worshiped with
something of the fidelity of a beaten
dog.
At a later conference participated in
by Sara, Booth and Mr. Carroll, the old
lawyer spoke plainly.
"Now are you both willing to glvo
sorlous consideration to tho plan I pro
pose? Take time to think It over. No
harm will come to Miss Castleton, I
I am confident. Thoro will bo a nine
days' Bonsation, but, after all, It Is the
beBt thing for everybody. You pro
poso living abroad, Booth, so what aro
tho odds If"
"I shan't live abroad unless Hetty
reconsiders her decision to not marry
me," said the young man dismally.
" 'Gad, Sara, you must convince her
that I love her better than "
"I think sho knows all that, Bran
don. As I said before, wait! And now,
Mr. Carroll, I havo this to say to your
suggestion: I for ono am reiehtlessly
opposed to the plan you advocate.
Thero Is no occasion for this matter to
go to tho public. A trial, you say,
would bo a moro formality. I am not
so sure of that. Why put poor Hetty's
head in tho lion's mouth at this late
stage, after I havo protected her so
carefully all theso months? Why, take
tho risk? Wo know sho Is Innocent.
Isn't it ouough Hint we acquit hor in
our hearts? No, I cannot consent, and
I hold both of you to your promises."
"Thero la nothing more I can say,
my dear, Sara," said Carroll, shaking
his head gloomily, "except to urge you
to think It over very seilously. Re
member, It may mean n great deal to
hor und to our eager young friend
horo. Years from now, llko a bolt from
tho sky. tho truth may como out In
somo way. Think of what It would
mean then."
Snra regarded him steadily. "There
aro but four people who know tho
truth," sho said slowly. "It Isn't llko
ly that Hotty or Brnndon will toll tho
Btory. Professional honor forbids your
dolug bo. That leaves mo as tho solo
peril. Ie thnt what you would Imply,
my dear friend?"
"Not at all," ho cried hastily, "not
at all. 1"
"That's all tommy-rot, Snra," cried
Booth earnestly. "Wo just couldn't
havo anything to fear from you."
With curious Inconsistency, sho
shook her hoad and remarked: "Of
courso, you nover could bo qulto ensy
In your minds. Thoro would always
bo the feeling of unrest. Am I to bo
truBted, nfter all? 1 havo proved my
self to bo a vindictive schomor. What
nssuranco can you and Hotty havo that
1 will not turn against ono or tho oth
or of you somo time and crush you to
sutlsfy a personal grievance? How do
you know, Brandon, that 1 nm not in
lovo with you nt this very "
"Good heavens, Sara!" he cried,
agape.
" at "this very moment?" Bho con
tinued. "It would not bo so very
strange, would It? I am very human.
Tho power to lovo is not denied me
Oh, I am merely philosophizing. Don't
look so serious. Wo will suppose that
1 continued along my career as the
womnn scorned. You have seen how I
smart under the lash. Woll?"
"But nil that Is Impossible," said
Booth, his face clearing. "You're not
in love with me, and never can be.
That! for your philosophy!"
At tho same Instant ho became
aware of the singular gleam In her
eyes; a liquid, oriental glow that
seemed to roflect light, on her lower
lids as she sat thero with her face In
tho shadow. Onco or twlco before he
had been conscious of tho mysterious,
Beductive appeal. ,Ho otared back at
her, almost defensively, but her gaze
did not waver. It was he who first
looked away, curiously uncomfortable.
"Still." she said slowly, "I think you
would be wise to consider all possible
contingencies."
"I'll take chances, Sara," he said,
with an odd buoyancy in his voice that,
for tho llfo of him, he could not ex
plain, even to himself.
"Mvoti nHmttHno' thnt Kllpll Hhnllld
turn out to be the case," said Mr. Car-(
roll judicially, "I don't believe you'd
go so far as to put your loyal friends
in Jeopardy, Sara. So we will dismiss
tho thought. .Don't forget, however,
that you hold' them In tho hollow of
your hand. My original contention was
based on the time-honored saying,
'murder will out.' We never can tell
what may turn up. Tho best laid plans
of men and mlco oft "
Sara settled back among tho cush
ions with a peremptory wave of her
hand. Tho loose, flowing sleeve fell
away, revealing hor white, exquisitely
modeled arm almost to tho shoulder.
For some strange, unaccountablo rea
son Booth's eyes fell.
"I am tired, wretchedly tired. It has
been a most exhausting day," she said,
with a sudden noto of weariness in her
voice. Both men started up apolo
getically. "I will think seriously of
your plan, Mr. Carroll. There 1b no
hurrjv I'm sure. Please send Miss
Wrandall In to me, will you? Perhaps
you would better tell Hetty to como
In as soon as Vivian leaves. Come,
back tomorrow afternoon, Brandon. I
shall bo much moro cheerful. By the
way, have you noticed that Dicky, out
in tho library, has been singing all aft
ernoon as if his llttlo throat would
split? It is very curious, but today Is
tho llrst time ho has uttered a noto
In nearly flvo months. Just listen to
him! He Is fairly riotous with song."
Booth leaned over and kissed the
hand Bhe lifted to him. "Ho Is like the
rest of us, Sara, Inordinately happy."
A slight shiver rnn through her arm.
Ho felt It.
"I am bo afraid his exuberance of
spirit may nnnoy Vivian," said she,
with a rare smile. "She detests vul
garity." Tho men departed. She lay back In
tho chaise-lounge, her eyes fixed on
tho hand ho had touched with his lips.
Watson tapped twice omtho door.
"MIbs Wrandall could not wait,
ma'am," he said, opening tho door soft
ly. "Sho will call again tomorrow."
"Thank you, Watson. Will you
hand me the clgnrettes?"
Watson hesitated. "Tho cigarettes,
ma'am?"
"Yes."
"But the doctor's orders, ma'am, beg
ging your pardon for "
"I havo a now doctor, Watson."
"I beg pardon, ma'am!"
"Tho celebrated Doctor Folly," Bhe
said lightly.
CHAPTER XX.
Sara Wrandall's Decision.
"Now, you see what I mean, Bran
don, when I Insist that It would bo a
mlstako for you to marry mo," said
Hetty in a troubled voice. "I fool that
Snra will not lot mo go."
"That's pure nonsense, Hotty." ho
Bald. "Sho wants you to marry me, I
nm positive." Ho may havo thought
his tono convincing, but something
caused her to regard him rnther fixed
ly, ns It sho woro trying to Bolve nn
oIubIvo puzzle.
Ho took her by tho arm and raised
her to her feet. Holding her qulto
close, ho looked down into her ques
tioning oyos and Bald very seriously:
"You aro suspicious, oven of mo.
dearest. I want you. Thero Is but
ono way for you to bo nt peaco with
yoursolf; shift your cares over to my
shoulders. I will stand botweon you
nnd everything that may como up to
trouble you. Wo lovo ono another.
Why should wo sacrifice our lovo for
tho sako of n shadow? For a week,
dearest, I've boon pleading with you;
won't you end tho suspense today
end it now nnd say you will bo my
wlfo?"
Tho appeal was bo gentle, so sincere,
bo full of longing that Bhe wnvored.
Hor tender bluo oyes, lately so full of
dread, grew moist with tho Inoffablo
sweotness of lovo, and capitulation
was In them. Her warm, red lips part
ed in a dear llttlo smllo of surrendor.
"You know I lovo you," sho said
tremulouBly.
Ho kissed tho lovely, appealing lips,
not onco but many times.
"God, how I worship you," ho whis
pered passionately. "I can't go on with
out you, darling. You are llfo to me. I
lovo you! I lovo you!"
Sho drew back In his armB, tho
shadow chasing tho light out of hor
eyes.
"Wo are both living in tho present,
we aro both thinking only of It, Bran
don. What of tho future? Can wc foro
seo tho future? Dear heart, I am al
ways thinking of your future, not my
own. Is It right for me to bring you "
"And I am thinking only of your fu
ture," ho said gravely. "Tho future
that shall bo mine to shnpo and to
make glad with tho fulfilment of every
promise that love has In storo for both
of us. Put away the doubts, drive out
tho shadows, dearest. Llvo in the light
for over. Love is light"
"If I wero only suro that my shad
ows would not descend upon you, I "
Ho drew her close and kissed her
again.
"I am not afraid of your shadows.
God bo my witness, Hotty, I glory In
them. They do not reflect weakness,
but strength and nobility. They mako
you all tho moro worth having. I
thank God that you aro what you are,
dnar heart."
"Givo mo a few days longer, Bran
don," she pleaded. "Lot mo conquer
this strango thing that lies hero In my
brain. My heart is yours, my soul is
yours. But tho brain is a rebel. I
must triumph over It, or it will always
lie In wait for a chanco to overthrow
this little kingdom of ours. Today I
have been terrified. I am disturbed.
Givo me a few dayB longer."
"I would not grant you tho respite,
were I not so suro of the outcome," ho
said gontly, but thero was a thrill of
triumph In tho tones. Her oyeB grew
very dark and soft and hor lips trem
blod with the tldo of lovo that surged
through hor body. "Oh, how adorablo
you are!" ho cried, straining her closo
In a sudden ecstasy of passion.
The doorbell rang. They drew apart,
breathing rapidly, their blood leaping
with tho contact of opposing passions,
tholr flesh quivering. With a shy,
sweet glance at him, sho turned to
ward tho door to await tho appearance
ot Watson. He could still feel her in
Ills arms.
A drawling voico camo to them from
tho vestibule, and a moment later Los
He Wrandall entered tho library, pull
ing off his gloves as ho came.
"Hollo," ho Bald glibly. "I told that
follow downstairs it wasn't necessary
tp announce me by telephone. Silly
arrangement, I say. Why tho devil
should they think everybody's a thlof
or a book agent or a constable with a
subpoena? Ho knows I'm ono of the.
family. I'm likely to run in any time,
I told him, and Oh, I say, I'm not
butting in, am I, Miss Castieton?"
Ho shook hands with both of them,
nnd then offered his cigarette case to
Booth, first selecting ono for himself.
Hotty assured him that ho was not d
trop, sheer profligacy on her part in
viow of his readiness to concedo tho
point without a word from her.
"Nipping wind," ho said, taking hl
stand before the fireplace. "Whoro la
Sara? Never mind, don't bother her.
Booth Kissed the Hand She Lifted to
Him.
I've got all tho tlmo In tho world. By
tho way, Miss Castloton, what Is tho
latest news from your father?"
"I daro say you havo later news than
I," sho said, a trace ot annoyance li
her manner.
(TO BK CONTINUED.)
Are Spices Injurious?
According to Dr. Glgon of Baeal,
spices aro a much abusod constituent
of tho diet. Ho claims that Instead
of bolng Injurious they aro. as a rule,
beneficial to tho human system Inas
much as thoy stimulate tho llow of
saliva and of tho gastric Juices, there
by furthering digestion. Besides tho
aromatic spices ginger, cinnamon,
cloves, pepper, etc. he adds and rec
ommends salt. This last Item Is
taboo by many dietitians. Ono of tho
leading sanatorlums of tho country
that for years condemned it is now
commending 1L
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