Picture-Play Magazine (Oct-Nov 1915)

16 PICTURE-PLAY WEEKLY house which her uncle had selected as his new home. At first there was indignation and suspicion when Jim Pemberton was seen in company with Lili, but she quickly dismissed them by an explanation of the true state of affairs. There were cries and heartrending sobs, volleys of questions and answers; and when Lili was released from the arms that encircled her, she fainted. friend," said Breval, turning to Jim, "are no other than the brave and gallant fellow who drove my car to victory this afternoon ! I have a long telegram from Sauverne describing the race, and it seems that you are the greatest driver in the world." Henry Breval picked up the telegram, but Jim modestly protested that his achievement had been overrated in the excitement of the occasion, but the new •"" — — — t; It was Etienne's deception that aided Jim, where he had before been an obstacle. The Breval family had been in a state of insane grief and anxiety for more than twenty-four hours. Henry Breval and his son had scoured the New England countryside. The police, the telegraph, the telephone, and every available resource had been employed, and the evening papers of that day had Lili's picture and the story of her disappearance spread largely upon their front pages. "And you, then, my dear young friends that clamored about him would have none of that. "If you will consent, Mr. Pemberton," said Breval anxiously, "I shall give you the finest position I have to offer a young man in my business. "But," he added, with a look of mingled anxiety and humor, "I must warn you that all ideas of a sentimental nature regarding my niece must be abandoned. She is a wonderful, enchanting girl, but it is practically fixed, my dear sir, that she and my dear s Etienne shall very soon unite their : spective branches of the family by matrimonial alliance." Etienne Breval blushed as rosily did Lili, but neither of them spol and Jim tried to laugh off the ei barrassing situation, though his fa showed a sudden spasm of disappoii ment and grief. He had known t young girl little more than a day, b he had no doubt of the genuineness the spell she had cast upon him. Thorn Lili said nothing at the time, she hi spoken before to Jim, and he was w aware that their feelings toward eai| other were much alike. Jim agreed, however, to the gratefil uncle's proposals, and, two days late he took up his new duties in the Bo ] ton office of the Breval business. Tl work was thoroughly congenial, an i both of the Brevals were agreeable bus ness associates, but Jim was not happj for a moment. His thoughts were coi stantly upon Lili, and his musings wer far from cheerful. He felt that h could hate the handsome Etienne, br the young Frenchman was so cordk to him that his feelings were disarmec Etienne was absent one morning fror the office, and his father said that h had gone to New York on the previou evening, on some mysterious, secret mis sion. Toward noon, Lili visited the of fice, and, as Jim was striving to h merely polite to her, without betrayin;. his positive agony, he glanced towar( the door and saw his stately and digni ed father walk in. "Ah, I have found you at last, m\ boy," exclaimed the elder Pembertor genially; "here in the stronghold o my business rival !" Henry Breval hurried forward and shook the visitor's hand graciously "But, if Sauverne knew this, he never told me !" he cried. "Is it possible that Jim Pemberton is your son, my friend? Ah, but it is dangerous for me to employ the son of my closest competitor is it not? But, no! Jim is too honorable a fellow to be anything but honest and loyal. If he wishes to do so, he shall remain in my office." Jim's father proceeded to explain the reasons for his estrangement from his son, but while they were talking, a messenger handed Breval a special-deliver} letter, marked "Important!" Excusing himself, Breval opened it and proceeded to read. He uttered an