Photo-Play World (June 1919)

56 THE PHOTO-PLAY WORLD KEEP POSTED \ on the latest Electrical and Scientific Doings The Electrical Experi- menter faithfully reports every phase of science and invention in plain, non- technical language. Pro- fusely illustrated. Timely and exclusive articles byjeaders in every branch of science. Regu- lar departmental features include Electrical subjects in general, Mechanics, Chemistry, Wireless, In- ventions, Patents, Physics, Astronomy, etc., etc.* « ■■ 200 illustrations; 90 big pages. Over 100 articles. One copy will convince you At all^news stands, 20c $2.00 a year. Foreign,$2.50. Send 35c for 3 numbers• THE ELECTRICAL EXPERIMENTER 227 FULTON ST., NEW YORK THE BOYS’ MAGAZINE FR EEJ Send to-day for a free sample copy of THE BOYS’ MAGAZINE Chock-full of clean, inspiring stories and instructive articles, all of great interest to every live, up-to-the-minute American boy Special Articles about Electricity, Mechanics, Athletics and Physical Training, Gardening, Camping, Hunting, Trapping, Fishing, Cycling, Carpentry, Photography, Poultry, Drawing, Stamp and Coin Collecting, Boys’ Clubs, Jokes, Cartoons, etc., etc. Beautifully illustrated throughout. Handsome covers in colors. Drop us a line to-day Remember, we’ll send you our very latest issue absolutely free. Address THE SCOTT F. REDFIELD CO. 2743 Main Street, Smethport, Pa. Marie, Ltd. {Continued from page 19) a fool and throw away the Colonel. He may be a softy, but he is honorable. He asked me today if he might marry you. He is coming later I am going out. When I return—” So life was as her mother had painted it! Blair’s professions had been more sordid even than the Colonel’s. At least the Colonel was at heart a gentleman. Why should she not go out with him? She would show Blair how little she cared. So for several months Drina and the Colonel frequented gay restaurants and cabarets, while Blair, mystified at Drina’s sudden change of face, tried first to see Drina, then to interfere, and finally to console himself with Zelie. Drina had refused either to see him or to answer his notes, so at last he had left her to her own devices. The day came when Drina had to face another decision. The Colonel had asked that a definite day be set for their wedding. Marie was elated; but Drina, bitter and sick at heart, shrank from so final a step. She put the colonel off, asking a little more time in which to make up her mind. Then Marie became suddenly ill with influenza, and for a few days all other things were driven from Drina’s mind. As Marie grew stronger, she confessed to Drina that she faced bankruptcy “You can save me, Drina. See Lambert and get his help.” Drina flushed. “Don’t ask that, mother ” “It’s that or ruin for us both.” “You wouldn’t have me use my power over an old man for money?” “Why not?” “I’ll not ask favors of him.” “Very well. You can face the music then.” Lambert surprised Drina next morning by coming to the shop. She received him in the private office. “I have come for my answer,” he said, coming quickly to her “Need we speak of that today?” she pleaded. “I am very tired after the anxiety of the last few days.” Her youth, the flushed beauty of her face, maddened the infatuated old man. “I want you, and I want you now,” he said hoarsely, pulling her roughly to him. “Let me go,” she commanded, struggling to free herself. “I have you and I am going to keep you.” There was a note of triumph in his voice. “I shall never marry you now Beast!” Drina spoke with loathing. “You’ll not refuse, you little wildcat. I’m on at last to your mother’s game of graft.” His tone was menacing. “You mean?” “You’d better treat me nicely if you don’t want your mother in jail.” “Jail! Why jail?” “Marie’s bankrupt. Besides—” “Besides?” “She is a grafter, overcharges for her hats. I fell for it, but I’m not the only one.” “Who told you such a lie?” “Zelie.” “So you saw Zelie?” “Yes. I was saying good-bye to'her I wanted to come to you with a clean slate.” “Rather a smeared one. I should say Anyway, a jealous woman’s word doesn’t count for much.” “Perhaps I have proof.” “Give me until tomorrow to decide.” “Not an hour You decide now I’m going to have that kiss before I leave this office.” “Not unless Miss Hilliard gives it to you of her own free will.” Blair Carson’s voice cut in, startling them both. He had come in so quietly that neither Drina nor the colonel had heard him enter “I have just seen Zelie,” Blair said, speaking quickly to Drina. The colonel he ignored. “She may not be up to Fifth Avenue standards, but she’s a good sort, and on the level.” “Then mother was right about you and Zelie.” Blair reddened. “I’ve gone about with Zelie a bit. You cut the bottom out of things for me, Drina. You didn’t even give me a hearing.” “But Zelie?” “Zelie told me the truth about you and the colonel. She had given the colonel a weapon when she told him about your mother, and she was sorry You skunk! To try and force Miss Hilliard to marry you like that! Get out of here, and damn quick!” “By what right do you undertake to champion Miss Hilliard?” “As her husband, if she will have me,” Blair answered, simply turning to Drina. “What about your engagement to my daughter?” Lambert snapped. “Marian and I were never really engaged. We’ve been good friends, nothing more. Drina, will you give me the right to order Colonel Lambert out of this office?” “You told mother you were engaged, didn’t you?” Drina asked, looking full at Blair “We never even discussed the matter Has that been the trouble, Drina? There’s been an awful mistake somewhere. Per- haps the colonel will explain.” “We don’t need an explanation from him, I think.” Drina’s voice was like ice. “Good morning, Colonel Lambert.” “You’ll pay for this,” the colonel snarled. “You laugh today It is I shall laugh last.” With that he left them. “Drina!” Blair turned to her swiftly, the eager lover But there was trouble in Drina’s dark eyes. “I can’t marry you, Blair ” Her voice choked. “It’s all true about mother She has been dishonest, and I have been educated on money made dishonestly ” “You didn’t know it.” “Yes, after I came here, Zelie told me. I held on thinking I could win mother over and get her to run the business honestly Now—” “We’ll make it a partnership, you and I,” Blair put in swiftly “I’ll finance the business on that understanding—your mother’s giving up the commission end of it.” “Oh, Blair! You’re so generous.” She laid her hand on his arm. “I must make good first. Then—” “Then?” “If you still want me!” “My dear,” was all he said.