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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 1922)
THE , SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, JANUARY 15, 11)22 i , Henrietta Was His Only H eritage; Then Along Came Phyllis, and Trou ble, and Amy AFTEJ FTKH Aunt Jane died Lysander id begun to feel pretty tired Iowa. Which wag well. It teemed. lor mere m n iiuiius very like Invitation In his Cousin Asa's voice aa he knocked out his pipe on the porch rail. "Well, Lys, I guess the car'll Just about figure 'out what's comln' to you out of ma' stuff." If he hadn't been feeling sad about Aunt Jane, who had been good to him always, Lysander would have uttored a gag station from which was just de parting the car. No use pursuing:, and Hanri.ta needed attention, so Lysander stopped. "That was some car that Just left," he sugsted hopefully to the lean gasman. "You- said it! B'longs to P. J. Wlllard, I un'stand. S'got more mil lions than they Is nickels In a dollar, they tell me. Stopped here to use the phone. Seems like the old lady lost an awful costly chain, plat'num and diamonds, worth about a mint, some where along, or maybe some guy swiped it off'n her. They was callln' up a garage back about Lankershlm to see If they'd sighted it. But they hand't." Lysaader was deeply interested. A lost chain! If he had If he onlj could have found It! "Oh, it's noth ing, Mrs. Wlllard, don't mention it. So glad to be of service. Why, yes, I'd be pleased to call sometime " He missed a bit of his informant's monologue. The daughter of a mil lionaire.. You could see him, Lysan dor, takinSf her out for a spin in .rl .Inn ' 1 " h "H T WAS tood! From where he stood he could "Henrietta, now couldn't you! There see Its scarred carcass in the shed flivver of about the vintage of 1913, driver's ajde Sagged from Asa's two lrtmdred pounds, making It look as If vlt were tired and was resting one vfoot while It leaned up against the weather. It was tired, there was no. doubt about that, and only Lysander's continuous tinkering (a thing seem ing positively Inspired at times) per suaded It occasionally to saunter along the road to town. Lysander understood Asa, who had never liked him much, and meant now that Lysander would not be pas sionately regretted if he "moved on." Lysander had indeed wondered, by no means infrequently, why he stayed. Now the only tie vas broken, and to his suddenly eager eyes the lopsided Henrietta appeared a champ ing steed prancing to be off, the westering sun altar fire as a long beckoning goal. This does not happen to be a tale of any adventures of the long trail was the whole thing in a nutshell. And yet what were all the stories about if not the winning of princesses, the attainment of the great wish, the coming true of the dream! Certainly he had not taken Greeley's advice, to seek failure and disappointment, rather was he in this land of golden promise for the very purpose of plucking success to wear like a rose in his buttonhole. With such high thoughts came the' dauntless Lysander into the city, of whose beauty, bustle and intricacies of traffic we will omit descriptions. Tfie prospect pleased blm immensely and he regretted that it was too late in this particular day to begin put ting his magio salt on the tail of the bluebird. In the first place he must have lodgings. Back in Iowa old Lafe Burdage had Insisted on giving him the name of his niece's sister-in-law, a "widow woman" who he thought kept some roomers. A Mrs. Josephine Sills, it was, at 954 Balboa street. It was a rambling old house, need- wesi. These paragrapns serve merely ,ng. palnt. get back f rom the treet , as a sketchy background to that fate- aomewhat tanirled garden, brooded ful afternoon when Henrietta, after by a giffantio and gorgeous pepper many vicissitudes, limped into a ga- tree A drlveway ran back to a Bhed rage In a suburb of Los Angeles, and wncn Blood ln tne piace of tne Bnug seemed to declare with a little bleat Barage usually to be seen in every her intention to expire rlgct there. T, Anele. backvard. Henrietta - .its. '. s - . . .: - ' w . .V. "About whatr demanded Mr. Wil- "What are you going into" Tilbury lard bruasjuely, those eyes boring in finally ateked. uncomfortably. "Oh. real estate. I gues?," returned Lysander was trying so hard not Lysander lightly. ' to be abashed. "I wanted to try to "Real estate, eh?" repeated Mr. Til Interest you in a a sort of proposl- bury thoughtfully. "All right If you're tlon.' "What sort of proposition?" snapped Mr. Wlllard." Gosh, it was harder than he'd thought.. Lysander gulped. "I thought perhaps you might be Interested in a a residenee in Los Angeles." For a second the great man stared at him, a' gase so searching that the poor boy felt the very laundry marks on his collar writhe in embarrass ment. "What are you up to, any way?" std tho cold erray eyes In con temptuous speculation. Then with a suddenly cunning half smile: "I might be at that. What's your prop- big bug, but kinda uncertain for tne little ones, I'd say. Thought maybe you m'ght like workin' in the ga rage." "Why. thanks. I admit I'm a pretty good mechanic, but 1 telt you. Til bury, I'Ve gC't something pretty hitr in view just now." "That so? Well, all riRht. Want to go over and look around anyway?" Lysander submitted mid accompa nied the friendly plumber to the m w garage, which w;as Just around I lie corner, it looked a pretty good prop osition he was interested In spite of himself. Hut perhaps the tmportant osition?" And he exchanged a glance thing was that he and Ti!iury did not wlfh his wife and Phyllis, who had get home until dinner time. Lysander saw t once that some thing had happened to Amy. She was withdrawn a little. " Lysander explained In a few eager words that he merely had a house ln mind that he would like to get Mr. Wlllard to look at. "Just a minute," said the latter. He turned to his wife and daughter and spoke ln a low voice to which they pale, her eyes wore wide aa a child s who has been frightened and kIic started from fits op abstraction when spoken to. It was something plainly not pleasant and every once In a while she looked at him 'n a hurt, listened with a really extraordinary questioning way. ... Interest. That puzzled him so much that he Ljusander ventured now to steal a . almost neglected to conjure tho vision glance H his goddess, and he saw her ot yllls le porch after dinner. nHh onohnnt.H .. i .'!,,,),. . Amy Joined him soon. "Mr. Pratt, may I speak to you a moment?" "Why," surely." "There was a man here today mother was out late this afternoon. no. as the areaf man fnrnrt har-lr t asking about you." She twisted, her dlance." Adorable Phyllis! She had remembered him. ' How wonderfully things were going. Of course, he could hardly expect Papa Wlllard to present him at once, unless But Lysander, mother and daughter were hands together in a curious fashion. "les. wnat a he warn: j-eave n a name?" walking away leisurely In ths other direction. v, r - "Now." said Mr. Willard,-'f.'I'H Took t your house. And we'll gq in my car." There seemed an emphasis on the "my." "Thank you, sir." Lysander's. ela tion suddenly shriveled in spite of Amy's eyes searched him almost plteously. "He he was a detective." she whlnpered. Lysander stared. "A detective?" Why, what did he want?" "He wanted to know all about you. Many times had Henrietta threatened to give up for good, but that daunt less tlnkerer, Lysander, had always received and passed on to her some timely inspiration from the god of mechanicians . which enabled her to proceed, if not with swiftness and elan, at least enabled her to proceed. Lysander alighted from his ailing have would he like to look at it? chariot, and administered with a Lysander guesed he'd take it without practiced hand to Its decrepitude, inspection, and could he put his car turning a grin and a deaf ear to the jn the garage? "Fraid it isn't much ribald comments of the garagemen. of a garage," she was beginning when "It was then as he emerged dirty she caught sight of Henrietta. wheezed into the sldeyard with symp toms of an imminent relapse. A tired looking but kindly woman answered Lysander's ring, her eyes softening as. with his unconscious Ingratiating smiTe, he explained hia errand. Well! so he was from Brin-" ville! Yes, she had a room he could himself, for there was something in How. long you'd been here and what the great man'B tone, in his manner, you'd becn dolnS and and what Bort that did not chord with thla dizzy-in of fellow vou eemed to be falling in with a strange young man's "Me? Wn'- what ! Why' 1 haven't done anytning. wny, mat s v m . . ait - t 4 'p A alamond asd platlaum chain, Talae 910,000! They stood staring; at each other. Then Lysander wet his lips and Trhtspereai "Wken'd Ton set it r" "Yon know," her Kps formed. nouncing bargains in residences, lota son, who naturally was glad to sell that first night I came we spoke and income property. Nobody needed his "house, and who had, of course, no about real estate you remember" request. There was no am'able sym pathy with young ambition on his grim face, no interest In the errand, rather a sort of watchfulness, a ryow-Just-try-sometliig attitude that' was squelching, to say the least. Lysander tried to think it was Just h's way. Besides this first conquest was nothing short of a miracle, and he must majte the most of it. Why, It was the chance of his life. A great big thing to be thus piloting J. F. funny!" His obvious sincere astonishment seemed to relieve Amy and a little color came back to her cheeks. "Haven't you any Idea?" "Not the remotest." "He even went out and looked at your car." "He did!" "And went Up and looked in your room. And asked if any men came to 1 - T Wlllard; to be riding In the magnifl- see you or if you stayed out nights. cent one within a week. In his wild- You don't know you're sure you est dreams he had not conceived more don't know " There was pleading magio than this! Perhaps It was a In her low voice. Then suddenly: dream. To assuage the doubt he Tur- Oh, there he 1s! He's come back!" reptltiously pinched himself. Sure enough. A thickset little man Having given their destination to was comlnsr up the walk and L.ysn- but triumphant that It happened. A big car, all windshields and disk wheels and nickel and 17 kinds of dewdads, whisked so lightly into the "No much of a car, either," Ly sander .grinned- "But well, I'll Just put her in and get my grip." Henrietta had given up again, but garage that it arrived with the very the driveway sloped a little and Ly-' sound of Its warning signal, missing sander rolled her easily into the Lysander by half an inch and Hen- shed, then, wicker suitcase in hand, rletta by less than half that, so that he hesitated in the hall. From what tier poor old bones fairly Jingled, he judged to be kltchenwards a fresh though she was untouched. yoang voice was caroling: "Love me The two ladles ln the car squealed and the wuruld Is mine! a little, and the important-looking gentleman growled something, and slngi the dapper chauffeur gave Lysander Amy ." A slim girl appeared and a basilisk glare. Our hero, seeing stood looking at Lysander. that he had been missed, merely "My daughter, Mr. Pratt. Just smiled. The party scorned to notice show Mr. Pratt his room. Amy, w'U him further, and devoted Its atten- you?" "Yes." She seemed interested. "Well It struck me as just what I wanted. Something quick and " "What's your hurry?" asked Amy with a hint of archness. "O well reasons." He was dis concerted for a moment, then finished and the wuruld Is mine'" waiicea mnes. going into an tne " u-vva m " i'"m - Mrs. Sills opened the door, and the.' nouBes ODen for Inspection. tred to which the size of his biteg was en- He told nglng stopped. "O, here you are. out lne a Mlllng !alk' ta to sev- irely optional. He was too excited fore real! . iri onor ni eral owners and agents, learning to sleep for awhile, but at last he fldant, an tlon to some slight Irritation ln the disposition of the magnificent one. The ladles descended. The elder. evidently the mother, resembled the Amy acknowledged the introduction; said "this way," and preceded h!m upstairs. The room proved to be small, but car considerably, being large and ex- there were two windows, from each pensive-looking. The younger aht of which, as Miss Sills adjusted the the inadequacy of language! Never blind, Lysander glanced. " From one a had Lysander Pratt beheld so ravish- glimpse of far brown hills across red lng a creature. She was not very and green roofs; from the other a big, nor very little, but Just exactly yellow street car clanging past a right., She had hair like California corner where no less than three little sunshine and eyes like the California box buildings "displayed great signs sky, and a mouth like the sweetest announcing they were offices, of California roses. She had the air "Everybody here in real estate?" he of a little princess who rules by dl- laughed. "Must have passed about a vine right, and she was dressed en- hundred of those places on my way a salesman, and the last man decllnobjection to dealing with the Brown ing his services observed that "the lnss' agent (as it seemed to him), nor real estate game is awfully overdone to seeing the light as to a little slice in this town lot of loafers after of commission when the deal -should easy money. That's what you want, be consummated. too, I suppose." i And when, after the greatest day of "Sure." Lysander grinned. He walked his life. Lysander went to bed, not thoughtfully down the street. Well knowing certainly whether, as Aunt with some excitement. "The next day he would look about a bit and be- Jane wpuld have said, he was afoot If I didn't sell a house" lieve In his luck. or horseback, the world was his! Sue- She was plainly incredulous. ''But He walked miles, going into all the cess! Itjvas an apple ln his hand from how could you!" He told her gayly, not having be- llzed how pleasant is a con- and she listened with a little prices, saying he was just looking dropped off already a millionaire, frown at first, but soon seemed most around. His spirits rose. Looked the affianced husband of Phyllis! Phyllis, Phyllis, Phyll. The deal ' actually went through without a hitch and Lysander, clothed in the confidence of achievement, turned aside to" make a play toward were on your own, you wouldn't get the other goaLAnd. humanly, having so bad. all of that and. of course, if you were turned one good trick, he was inclined "And what are you doing now?" she on your own you might find it a little t0 av invention by trying it a sec- inquired. "Hive you gone In with difficult to get listings. Anyway, ond time. this Mr. Anderson Or will one of the after you'd sold a few houses, you'd By the simple expedient of tele- big firms take ytTQ on?" have a tidy sum for ah option, and phoning a question he discovered that "Well, Anderson has a couple of that. Yes, It looked good. the F. J. Willards were domiciled at other houses he said I could try sell Here was another attractive place the Hotel Ambassador, thus adding ing, but Just now I I'm working on of Spanish type, for sale by builder. Sherlock Holmes to his role of Monte another idea " He broke off 'with He went in. Very nice. Everything Crlsto. Then he hiked through the ln good taste, and bride-y looking. Wilslfrre district like a location man spotting the home of the queen of so ciety. Why? He was looking for a suitable residence for the Willards! der, as hs turned to face him, looked into steady, shrewd eyes, a good deal like Mr. Willard's, in a face rather hard, but by no means disagreeable. Amy had slipped into the house. "Mr. Pratt?" began the caller In a the chauffeur he proceeded to im prove each shining moment with bright conversation. Or attempted to do so, but Mr. Wlllard began to ask questions, snappy questions about where he had lived and how long had he been in California, and how came business-like manner, he ln this business, and some others "Yes." that seemed well, sort of sly. Ly- "My name's McKay. Sea the young sander, gulping occasionally, an- lady's tipped you off. Let's sit down." swered truthfully, although It really "Certainly." Lysander was sur seemed that the more simple and prised and curious, but not fright straightforward his answers the less ened. Whv should he'be frightened? easy. Once you got in the game, that is. Now a bungalow like this sold for $12,000; at 6 per cent commission would be $600. Pretty good day's work, what? Of course, unless you gratified to share his triumph, say ing: "Wasn't that funny!" and "What do you think of that!" and "You've cs' tainly made a fine start." He admitted modestly that it wasn't He had an ecstatic vision of Phyllis! He found only one of the owner's cards B. W. Anderson, address and phone and he put it. in his pocket. an embarrassed little laugh. "O," said Amy. There was a pause. Perhaps she was waiting, for him to go on, and he felt suddenly as If he would like to tell her all about it! tlrnli, .... . . 1. - ! - I . , nilf hM " after tomorrow; no for week after "Well, the city's growing so fast. Phone-and he put. it, in his pocket. Having at last found one with what But. of course, he couldn't do that, next at least. you know," returned" Miss Amy. "and tor no Particular reason. Just then he considered possibilities, and with It was dark now, and someway that makes a big demand for all a" automobile stopped in front and a representative on the spot, to whom wonderfully sweet and peaceful. The i m? loyed' who loved not at kinds of rea estate. Some people an "Iderly lady and gentleman alight- Lysander hinted that he was scouting ajr was soft as a caress from the first Sight! . .... ,rl fillnwpri hv a trim n n H tinrigrhtlv for MnmAhnriv Kl c 'h, nu a nAaurari Mnri nf Phvlllu and dflllcatelv Tier- stock Mr. Wlllard took in them! Ly sander couldn t understand It, but Mr. Wlllard acted as if he were try ing to conceal that he didn't believe a word Lysander said! They were met by the courteous cgent, who showed them over the property, doing all the talking, to Lysander's relief, and treating him, too, quite tactfully. Mr. Wlllard acted decently (Lysander had a queer feel ing that he might say something ter rible any minute), and responded properly enough to the agent's efforts to Interest him. But he ended the Interview pretty shortly by Baying that heTiad decided to have a country place if he bought at all. The agent assured him that his firm had mag nificent places on Its lists, and Mr. Wlllard said well, he'd see, as he climbed back into the car. The agent shook hands with Ly sander: VMuch obliged, anyway, Mr. Pratt, for bringing Mr. Wlllard around." ' McKay coolly Inspected him. "Now, see here, my friend, you put up a great front, but we've got you dead to rights. Why not Just hand It over and save a lot of commotion?" Lysander grinned. "Is this a joke? Hand what over?" But hi hro' was dry. "Mrs. Willard's chain," replied Mc Kay in a steely voice. Lysander's smile went out like a light switched off. Ho met McKay's eyes squarely, but no words came. "I'll Just give it to you straight." that gentleman went on easily. "Misi Wlllard recognized you today as tlw fellow In the garage the day the c liain was stolen. I suppose you snipped It off In tho cuto little way you fellows have. Of course, they thought you had it and we've been looking out ror you. You had your nerve facing Mr. Wlllard again like you did todaj-. Something up your sleeve, I suppose. You know you had no more connec tion with that real estato firm than Our poor Lysander felt a weaken ing in the knees, a tightening of the chest, a lift and plunge of the heart before It fluttered out of him into the keeping of this pearl of all girls! "Phyllis," said her mother, "do be careful, this place Is Just full . of 4-rease." . Pyhllis! Dellclons name of Phyl lis. Could she possibly have been called anything else? Positively not. O, Phyllis. Phvllls iround?" "O. certainly." LVsander was smil ing rather eagerly. No reason surely have made a lot of money "Have they?" said Lysander, thought fully. s "The lucky tines have." She moved to the door. "I hope you'll find everything all right. And dinner's at 6." Lysander thanked her and for full wh7 he shouldn't give himself u. little five minutes remained at the window, rehearsal, "if you will allow me l Perhaps U was destiny. Surely this and he began to open doors for them, had been a fateful day, for In It he to call attention to this convenience had met hor, and it was not lmpossi- and that view, how pleasant it was to ble had been given, this tip by for- have the morning sun in the creak tune herself. His fellow boarders were figure daughter, no doubt.' She that anybody he brought would be paused in the doorway to exclaim: treated with consideration which "What a darling house! May we look costs nothing. This accomplished, Ly sander went borne, dead tired, calling it a day and inventing a nine to "None but the brave deserve the fairj" After dinner, though, he wandered out on the porch, his spirits sagging into an unaccountable penslveness. He felt, all of a sudden, terribly for lorn. And why! He had accom plished wonders well, anyway, a fumed with the mingled fragrances of many flowers. A few stars ap peared, those wonderfully close-seeming stars of California .skies. Sup pose that Phyllis were here with him Quite welcome, I'm sure," said Ly-. T have. What was the big idea? I'm sander. The magnificent one rolled curious." McKay lighted a cigar and away and he again essayed to be en- Bmiied complacently, tertalning. Mr. Wlllard now merely Lysander merely continued to look said, "Ha," and "Hum." and "la that at him. There was a numbness about the boy's heart. They they thoug-lit illghted he ws a thief. Perhaps nothing ever aHK ln' a trat n hurts In aufte the same wav fast room, and in short made himself ooa aeai- ln " tne eiones ne a reaa im. agreeable in a sincore boyish fashion. ne couian t remember a hero who Burd, school teacher, and a face- The Brownings were flatteringly re- hd started out more propitiously on you say we stroll over?' They did not appear to notice Ly- samicr. iney aid not even Helgn to tloug piumber named Tilbury. Ly-, sponsi ve. Really It was Just the sort smile at Henrietta, though once ,ander was pr0occupled with hl's two of place they were looking for! mother stood so near that poor Hen- problems how to meet Phyllis and "And did you design It yourseif. Mr. rletta was almost obscured, if you, to make a fOI.tune this week or Pratt?" Miss Browning (who was happened to be looking at her head- next- He cur8ed hls silly lack of nur- about 40) demanded. Ifosc and ambition hitherto. "Ohfah no. No," said the startled He" was thrilled when the plumber Lysander. "It was built by Mr An began to talk rents and real estate, derson. unaware that the subject is sever neglected long in any California-company. Mr. Tilbury had noticed tha the bungalow court down the street too. He cleared his throat. "Didn't see a movie down here a few blocks? Would you what do on. To the enchanted Lysander it seemed not more than two fleeting minutes until the chauffeur had closed the door on the royal family and wag taking his place at the wheel ot the magnificent one. It could not be tlvfct she was going out of his sight forever fate could not be so cruel. This was the love of his llfe one knows that surely In a mo ment as well as In ten years. And here he stood Idly while the miles multiplied between them! He flung himself into Henrietta, who stirred with a squeak of protest. He pursued the dream along the sunny highways that lead to the City of The Anp-els. and the country's charm seemed a part of that dream. 'The pepper trees, gorgeous In their clusters of red beads, the orange groves hung with gold and white, bungalaws nestling In bright, blos soming vines, skyline of mountains, all the vivid colorings of poppy and hibiscus and bignonla, made it the land of enchantment where he was to pluck oh, soon and surely the flow er of life. And as Henrietta Jolted and rattled and snorted along, like a complaining but industrious old lady. Lysander was rehearsing a series ol fclgbly romantic ways In which h would make Phyllis' acquaintance He had rescued her from every peril of a movie serial and received pledges of lifelong fealty from her grateful parents, when hs sighted such a campaign. And come to think of it, that hero always won with an original idea like this. Invariably he turned some clever trick that in troduced him favorably, and then B.nce "they" were made for each "Why, yes, I'd like to," said Amy. ' There is the confidence of assured position, that of the merely sophisti cated, and that of the blissfully un aware of just where they are tread ing. Our dauntless Lysander, serene- other. Still, Lysander felt blue. Miss siy trustful ln his luck and in ro "Then you're his agent. Really, Mr. Pratt, the place does suit us. We will talk business with you!" Lysander swallowed hard. "Fine!" was for sale again. It had been sold He plucked Anderson's card from his four times since he, Just for fun, had pocket with a not very steady hand been keeping an eye on it. And every and quoted the price! man jack had picked up a few thou sand on his deal. It's a great game, had the money and the say-so, and all right, if you're lucky. Talking it was plain that she was most amlca- about luck, he knew a fellow who bly inclined toward Mr. Pratt. Papa started ln on a shoestring and cleaned Browning gave some advlce.'but obvl- up 120.000 In less'n a year. Yes, sir! ously when daughter made up her Just on a shoestring. mind something permanent had oc- "How did he do It?" breathed the curred. Burd smiled and said it was a pleas ant evening as she tripped out to a lecture. Mr. Tilbury, all dolled up and wearing an incredible necktie, waved a salute as he set out. The screen door creaked, and Amy Sills came out. "0,"'she said, "I didn't know you It seemed to be Miss Browning who were out here, Mr. Pratt." iysanler smiled nis smile. "It isn't going to make a difference, it" mance -and ln the coming right of remembered him. "Better make a clean breast of It," McKay advised not unknldly after a moment. "I'm here to give you the chance. If you hand over the chain, the Willards won't make a fuss. They don't want publicity. If " "I haven't got the chain, Mr. Mc Kay," said Lysander quietly. "I've never seen It. Because the Wlllard-i happened to see me the day tho chain wag lost is hardly proof that I have it." "Well, there's something funny fascinated Lyaander. "O hustled around and made a couple of good sales, got a few hul ls "I guess not." And she smiled, too And they spoke of the weather, and then ahe said: "Do you think you're going to like California?" "No future tense necessary. I do Look what it's done for Lysander's voice had a strange th)n sound to his own ears as he promised right now to see Mr. Anderson at once, arrange me! dred dollars, you know, and then got for him to meet the Brownings, and "What has it done" inquired Amy options and maneuvered around, so forth. Miss Browning, having with rather a disconcerting direct Smart fellow, all right." talked herself into enthusiasm, was ness, which she seemed to recognize Very encouraging, although Ly- determined to clinch the bargain right herself, for a little color rose In her sander could not but regret that the now. No one must get in ahead of cheeks, though she did not try to recipe was so indefinite. Made him her get her house! AH vivacity, she modify the question. ' think of Aunt Jane's telling how to Insisted on giving Lysander a check Some color rose, too, in Lysander's. make her famous rookies well, you for $100 to show her good faith. He could not very well confess that take a little oatmeal, 'bout as much When ha had bowed and smiled and California had already brought him as you think you'll need, and a little thanked and got rid of the Brownings, the mystery of love, and he had not. flour, and if you got cream you can Lysander mopped his brow, not at all oddly enough, considering his youth u iitai ui t-iiii, ijjrnNiiuci icu certain wneiner ne nau mane a guoa undoubtedly opportunity was knock- start for heaven or Jail. -Of course. he had no right to do what he had done, and he couldn't understand yet how he'd done It! but Just the same he had gold Anderson's house for him. They reached the hotel, i but Mr. Wlllard did not in ino oweei uuan.; .miijr ..".a aaunuess one up to meet ins daugn- ag tne first blow life gives to youn quietly In the low porch chair, her ter. He looked Lysander steadily n falth in the dream. His thought ot sTChder figure relaxed, clear profile the eye. Phyllis and her thought of him. All youthfully grave, something of wist- Ahi thank you for your Interest, his.flne plans. This was how she had ruiness aooui ner. An awiuny mco Mr. er pratt. Will yod give me girl, you could see that ana inenaiy, your address? In case I wish to com municate with you." "O, certainly, Mr. Willard." Ly sander fumbled for his carefully pre pared cards. "Thank you so much. I I if I ca-n be of any use to you, 1 hope you " He stuck there. "Thanks," drawled Wlllard. and for the first time his shrewd eyes showed a hint of amusement .nd of per plexity. Lysander walked away. He had done it. He had made the acqualnt- tnings, artiessiy unougn ne nimsen ance of the king, and beheld the prin. about your actions, young man. Of thought it most artful) entered the cesa once more. And she remembered course, we haven't had time to check Ambassador hotel, and inquired for him. He had worr to her side. The you up good since Mr. Wlllard phoned Mr. J. F. Wlllard! next time he would be presented to ua this afternoon, but you can't get And Just as he had taken a card her. Had not the old man that is, away with it. Why not got yourself from his pocket, he happened to the king asked for his address. In- off easy? Now, see here, you're only glance up and there crossing the tlmated that he would communicate a kid. and you don't look so tough, lobby were Mr. and Mr.. Willard and with him? Would he have done that. Suppose I give you till tomorrow to Miss Phyllis. Here was the man he said that. If he had not been favor- think It oven" wanted to see surely put ln his path ably impressed? Of course he would x hundred years to think It over by Providence, and. sublimely uncon- not. Phyllis, I come, I come. Gosh, won't make any difference.' scious or eitroniery, ijysanaer sianea sne was toveiy, u, loveiyi Tnere were -o, yes. It will," McKay rose. i ". aim wii'io use tryin' to beat it, you get uo a strange ining nappenea. nis teeming Drain nreamea tnem, nis Well, good night, Mr. Pratt. x-nyiiiB saw nim, spu a quicit, enter itei reeieu on several aimiens mnes tomorrow. He walked down hhe sentence to her father, and the three around ana about, until he was looked Instantly at Lysander and half brought suddenly back to earth by a paused as if to await his approach, sign which said, "Alfred Tilbury, The amazing significance of this plumber." reached him even In the clouds where Mr. Tilbury, wearing a grin on his he walked they remembered him. dirty face, was Just entering the shop And as he stopped before them, and greeted Lysander with a cheery: though his knees quivered, his boy- "Hello, Fratt! Come In and look us over." "No me .' See you ing. The next day-, Lysander, aiK spruced up, opened his campaign by present ing himself ln turn at each of the three boxes with blackboarCa an- fulness, crowed over h's umphs at the Sills' "table. "Well ah I've been lucky." "Yes?" V "Yes, you' know I was initial tri- awfully ishly charming smile valiantly ac knowledged the honor. The great man presented a masklike face in which his shrewd gray eyes coldly ques tioned the dauntless one. "L. beg your pardon, Mr. Wlllard." Lysander began pleasantly, all un aware how strange it was that he wag not brushed' aside like an In quisitive fly. steps, rather Jauntily, down the walk Lysander sat motionless. They had nothing really on which to hold him. They Just suspected and were trying to bluff him. But It wasn't that. "Lysander!" The wistful voice or Amy at the door made him Jump. II rose quickly and went in to her as one switched on the economical little Lysander preferred his dreams, but lamp that made the darknexs of tlie accepted the Invitation by following shabby hall visible. He could see that the plumber into the dusty little shop, where he listened to a monologue on Mr. Tilbury's future plans. Little he guessed with whom Lysander had hobnobbed that dy! TJlbury was going to take over1 a garaeo had a chance to buy In good. Once Lysander To put it briefly, ha found Andor- get Into something bere quickly. And ' about- "I'm Lysander Pratt. I I just won- would have been interested In a g: anxious to dered if I might speak to you about rage, but say, from now on he'd prob ably be associated with J. F. Wlllard! his face frightened her without know ing how boyishly stricken it was. Sh kept raising trembling hands to her throat and letting them fall ngain while her eyes searched him him! pleaded with him and caressed him "Has he gone?" she brrathed. lie nodded, wondering. She' moved quite close to him, M (ConoiudtJ. en race 8.)