All-Story Weekly, March 1, 1919 — page 97: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ee Et ise ee ~ HAVE ONE ‘self into the armory past a good-natured sergeant. She was a trim little figure in her best street-suit—and a pleading in her soft gray eyes that made an admission ticket all unnecessary. She found a seat in the gallery, beside a Red Cross nurse in uniform. The nurse —herself young and alone—engaged Mary Lawrence in conversation. Out of the ex- change of confidences came a sudden reali- zation on Mary’s part that even she-might play a worth-while rdle in the crisis con- fronting her country. The Red Cross was desperately ih need of nurses! Of a sudden Mary made out the hand- some figure of Colonel Compton Gray, dancing with a lovely vision in filmy white. When the dance ended the couple slowly sauntered across the floor to a palm-sur- rounded corner. Murmuring an apology to her companion for leaving, Mary edged her way through the gallery throng toward the corner. There _ Was a Circular staircase leading down to the armory floor. She descended the iron steps on tiptoe and crouched part way down, directly above the man and woman. ‘The first words she heard distinctly froze her into, amazement. ‘And now,” Colonel Gray was saying, “fer the surprise. You’re going to have supper with me—in my rooms, at mid- night.” The soft gray eyes of Mary Lawrence went wide. Her big chance had come! She hated this beautiful woman, had al- ways hated her. Now was the moment of her revenge! Bey ts she hurried back up the stair- ¢ and out of the big building. In a drug oo presently, she found Jefferson Lee’s address in the telephone book. Then she > started for the subway. The statement that filled Mary Lawrence with insane jealousy caused Helen Lee to: gaze at Colonel Gray with an expression of surprise—but her eyes reflected the amused smile that illumined the frank countenance of the man she knew so well. “It sounds tremendously 1 improper,” she said. Colonel > aout Se tig = ~ =. tt Ora Gray declared. ‘WITH ME. “We're to be fairly well | chepiesoned die your husband!” Helen laughed. Then, recalling Jefier- 4 son’s mood at dinner, she became.serious— and voiced a hope that he would be less aR ea ‘down ” when he arrived at eleven-thirty, “Tf he isn’t,” Colonel Gray, explained, = “he will be when I tell him the news. He -— passed yesterday’s examinations with high == | honors. “As soon as I Ee of it, I got busy and. made application to Washington to have him assigned to this regiment. would be granted as soon as he receives his commission.” His expression changed. He was whim- sically reminiscent as he continued. ‘Do’ you remember,” he asked, “ what — S I‘ told you that day in Heath Memorial Hall? Well, I’m going to continue to keep my eye on your husband.” Helen was pleased beyond words at the thought of the little party, and of the won- derful surprise which she knew would please Jefferson so much. They would start away : | from the armory, all three together, gnd Jefferson would not know their destination until they arrived at Colonel Gray’s bache- lor apartment. It would be lovely! “Mary Lawrence stood in the inner hall- way of the Lee’s apartment while the sleepy: butler went to find his master. Betimes he returned to say that Mr. Lee had gone out. Mary insisted on awaiting his return. She had urgent business with him. It spoke volumes for her powers of self- control—the fact that the butler saw noth- ing of menace in her steady gray eyes. He showed her into the library, where a took a seat. Jefferson Lee turned into the ‘eileen lighted saloon, two blocks away from the = apartment house: He poured “a double hooker’ of brandy into a long, highball glass. It was to be his only drink, and he wanted to have it over with quickly. But even as he set the glass on the bar, he was aware of the presence of some one beside him. He turned his head and ee 2 eyes met the gaze of old Nathaniel Stone. _ “T anderstand,” said the old law clerk a simply. = $4 See) known it a long time. Wes Late this afternoon I received word my application — 2