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Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 60 A. HO MICE rUl THB STORT THUS Houttn punn? outlook oo Ufo to clouded by two re First. the eftroncement between bar dead frato. mother EnjrUth family and her father, with whom Memal'a roiallTot have had nothin to do ui her mother via married and went to lira on a wettem ranch. And. second, the hurt aba haa inflicted oa Tripp Hart, an old time playmate from tba weal, whom ebe baa sorrowfully rejected aa a suitor. When her father toll her be bai failed in business Verrial announces that abs is roinf to nUnd to ' runt her mothers people while be te retting on bis feet scaJn, and to carry out certain plans about which she will tell no one. The family In England Alice and Winifred Beaufort, their mother, and Hubert, an ineaUd brother receire ber with mixed emouooa. but ahe proceeds blithely to make friends in ber own way. Things, she finds, are rather at aucos and serene. Ber own brother. Dick, who bae been in England at school, turns out to be s bops' less expatriate, ashamed of his American ongin, Alice Beaufort baa which he has kept a secret. met him, witbout knowing that be is ber first coum him has fallen Winifred Is with love sin, and unhappy over ao affair with Kenneth Stanton a to be neglecting ber. The young man who appears pitiful plight of Hubert the invalid, arouses Herns! to prompt action, and she enlists her fathers std in sending over ao American specialist to examine the boy. Then she astonishes the Besuforts b moving, bag and baggage, over to tbs home of Aunt Jans Coke, another of the English relatives, poor, but proud as Lucifer, and to Mias Cokes consternation calmly makes ber kitchen the center of a flourishing neighborhood trade in quince preserve. While this venture is under way Kenneth Stanton's neglect of Winifred it explained by a letter from Gertrude Hart, Tnpp sister and a notorious flirt, telling of her engagement to Kenneth, whom she has met in Paris. Then Memal encounters Lord who comet to Miss Coke's seeking to buy s fine old cbeet, her most treasured possession, and is ludicrously mistaken by Merrial for an agent Tripp Hart is sending to buy tbs quince preserv FA1V-Mr- faape. EIGHTH INSTALMENT. Dots and Problems. ISS COKE cams In upon them, and seemed not altogether pleased that her guest should be entertained In the kitchen. This is Lady Rhington's son, MerrUl. she said. "You hao heard the girls speak of their Aunt Ellen. Henry, this is nay American niece, Menial Houlton. Henry shook hands with tho American niece and, at the .same time, he wondered if she could be the " favorite as he followed Miss Coke into the sitting room. And the chest seemed to him suddenly the most Imperatively necessary object in the universe. I have been enjoying some of Miss Houl-ton'But. of course, you know preserves. wliat X have come to say to you, said Henry, when Merrial bad left them. Miss Cokes ejeo turned to the chest. It's only too easy to guebs, Henry- - My one claim to wealth baa Its one follower. Perhaps if other collectors knew of its existence 1 might have more than one call from you annually." Henry colored. I was clumsj, said he. " Tou know. Miss Coke, that I should come to see you in any case." I know nothing of the kind V Then, sitting down, she faced him grimly. What's your offer this year? she asked. Henry named an absurd sum, and, with secret heightening of heart beat, watched a flush come into the faded cheeks. Miss Coke turned her eyes slowly from him to the chest, and there they rested, and the flush Increased and stayed. Henry watched her and wondered. Was her attachment to the chest a matter of sentiment beyond the mere pride of possession? M ere there associations? It was almost shocking to connect sentiment with Miss Cokf. But, of course, Henry reasoned, no woman could live at hep age without some pretext for tenderness. Suddenly, as he looked down at her, she raised her lids to him, and he saw, for the first time, full tnto her fine, deep gray eves There was a strange little glimmer in them. " I am considering your offer. Lord said che, and her tone had lost Its flatness. Some of its young tire had coins back. Henry's correct face was incapable of ex pressing the full measure of his amazement. The Rivlngton eyebrows rose to the occasion, however, actually as well as figuratively. They did their exquisite best to show forth his state of mind. Miss Coke's sudden use of his title was probabljt intended to give weight to her admission. It was evidently most seriously meant. Beyond his eyebrows Henry did not move a muscle. The bird of certainty had lighted on his little bough of hope. He would not imperil his collection by a breath. If some one had come to me In my youth, went on Miss Coke slowly, still with her extraordinary eyes fixed on him, " with such an offer, I should have accepted It. Here her eyes fell, but a more desperate fire crept into her voice. It would have saved me much then so very much! I remember praying for It for half the sum. She looked down at her locked hands, and Henry saw the bitter quivering of her lips. It doesnt mean much to me now, she went on presently; I am content to go on " Almost this way to the end. But fiercely she brought out the resolution: I wrltl not allow another' child to suffer what s n. I suffered." She rose and rustled to the door, where ahe stood an instant with her face set m profile, thinking and biting her bp. I shall go upstairs, Henry," she said at last, in her ordinary ton, and think It over. When I come down you shall have my decision. I know," with all her old grtmness, "that the chest Is your real bootees, and will be ample entertainment tor you while I am gone." And then she really was gone, and Henry stood staring after her. What haa happened to the old lady? She's evidently touched by the little witch Perhaps Miss Houston Is poor In spite of the air. Perhaps the Jam Here Hoary's eyes, hitherto preoccupied, fell upon the cbeet, and all speculation vanished be- fore the collectors Joy. He caressed it and examined It, pulling'' it out from the wall, spacing its drawers as he had never dared ts do before. It was all but his now. Miss bad not called him Lord Rivington X for nothing. Bless her old heart! Now his collection was, witbout doubt, unique the beet private thing of the kind. Youve no Idea how burglarious you look, said Merrial, slipping in noiselessly. He got to his feet. He had been examining the lock of the middle drawer, and did indeed suggest a very gentlemanly Hallies. It may bet my own property In a few moments," said be coolly, noting with apPoor girls proval her .change of costume. don't wear such plain, fine frocks. be thought. Perhaps she has lost her money lately. Americana sometimes do. Merrial sauntered to the window. Your own property? she asked absently. I collect old furniture, he began, wishing she would turn round again and not have so tantalizlngly remote an air. As an agent, Henry was forced to admit, she had found him more interesting. There's money tn it," she murmured, at least, coming back a trifle from her mental wanderings, if you do It for money, there is. I dont," said Henry, smiling at the straight, slim back; that Is, I haven t had to yet,, but one never can tell." "No. One never can tell. Its well to be MEM . ways told me that the chest would he Inherited by her favorite niece. Now If only I ,knew t Merrial shook her head and smiled back ' t him with mischievous merriment, f If only we knew!" she sighed. Rivlngton laughed,' and held out bis hand When Merrial reappeared a quarter of an to say goodby. hour later, she found Lord Rivington alone, ' By the way, was the second agent satisawaiting her with an air of magisterial digfactory? " he asked. Menial's face gleamed nity. hope, shadowed by keen anxiety. I cant tell. lie was so contradictory. "My mother commanded me to be back at Rivington House, five miles from here, He seemed quite staggered by the flavor; but at S oclock. House party, and all that," he wouldn't say much. He didn't take halt " It's past 6 now, but said Lord Rivlngton. so long tasting as you did, and no one could I've waited for your agent to be gone, tn the have suspected him of an abnormal sense of he lowered his voice a trifle an taste. But perhaps be was overwhelmed; I hope of explanation." really think he was. provided, said Merrial wisely, Sometimes people lost all tbelr money suddenly." And, after a litfle pause, sho added tenderly: Like my father." Aha!" thought Henry, then she la poor. And she bought her frock before the crash. He gave, aloud, a rather embarrassed murmur of sympathy. And la er quince preservo your provision, may I ask. Miss HoultonT' " I am looking for the agent now, said Merrial, and Henry, for almost the first time since his coming of age, felt snubbed. The eensation amused him. He came to stand at the snubber's elbow. Let me look, too," he said. She made room for him, and together they watched a plump young man In chocolate brown clothes with a magenta tie and tan shoes pick his way along th muddy village Mer-rlal'- have reconsidered the matter, said he And I find slowly, wondering at himself. I er I would like to withdraw my offer." There was an uncomfortable silence of several minutes, during which Henry grew furl-ou- s with and with himself. An you please, of course." said Miss Coke d.--j !y. at last, and turned toward Merrial. But the curtain spice was empty and tha curtains stirred. The American niece " had dropped out of the window. Can jou explain to me this rather sudden change of mind? " asked Miss Coke, facing Henry again. No, admitted Rivlngton, not yet. But later, perhaps. " I have never been before," mymtericju I don't find it particularly said Henry. pleasant. Dont think very badly of me, please. Miss Coke." I don't know you, Henry. Perhaps I don't altogether know myself," murmured the young man. And, taking off bis eyeglass, he vigorously polished it. It did not lessen bis confusion that Miss Coke should move over to the cheat, push It back into its place, and arrange the drawer that he had disarranged. Who's Merrial got there now?" suddenly demanded Miss Coke. welcome. Henry reThe distraction fitted his glass, and his face resumed its usual Rivlngton serenity. 1 fancy it's the er young man your The er r.iece expected from London. I tal s taster, you know. " Taster? Of the quince preserve." " You don't mean to say Miss Coke broke off, and started for the kitchen. But in the hall she stopped, with Henry Just behind her. Its too late, she said; the tasting has begun." What Is it, may I ask. Mias Coke?" cried the exasperated lady, It's a mad American scheme for making dollar. Where it will end I don't quite know. If you had told roe that such a thing could develop under my very nose, and entirely O! He anlve there today! Whatever shall I do with him now? she exclaimed In dismay. I was not aware that Mr. Richard Houlton waa aoqkinted with the Rivlngtons, Merrial. But I don't quite understand your objections? questioned Aunt Jane, stiffly. Merrial replied O. It's not that, exactly, What a bother men In vague confusion. He got to are! she added in exasperation. know them through Elfrida Rivington, at Oxford," ahe explained. She held up above her coffee cup a square of heavy cream paper, covered by a careless scrawl. I need scarcely say that you are at liberty to ask Mr. Houlton to come and see you here, though I assume he proposes to do so. In any case. No he doesnt know that Im anywhere near the Rivlngtons." She was not a Uttle awed by her aunt's frigid " Mr. Houlton." Doesn't know! Haven't you told him where you are? I wrote and gve him my address here, but It probably difit mean anything to him. Tou sec. Aunt Jane, Dick hasn't been told much about his English relatives; dad didn't aay very much to us. I understand that. Merrial. But you surely told Richard that you were making jour home with your English relatives. Y'cur fathers son would surely wish to know where his fathers daughter was planning to . live! Merrial found no reply In explanation. Her mind reverted to those early letter 'of Aunt Jane to her mother, with their queer disaffection of tone in her references to the little boy, and Aunt Margaret's to " Poor Aunt Jane seemed to maintain little Dick. an ineradicable animosity to the male side of her family, while perhaps tempering it somewhat as regards her niece. "How old is Richard? asked Aunt Jane. Two years older than I ?5. He's really clever, but hes a fearful faddist. When he takes a notion in his head he runs it to death. A Houlton characteristic, said Aunt Jane coolly. He's been through all sorts of phases. But he really is frightfully clever, and a dear sort of goose when you understand him. " I still cannot understand why he hasnt been to see you before, said Aunt Jane, " either here or at cousins, the Beau-fort- street. "I've an idea he s your man," xaid Henry Rivlngton. " I know he Is," said Memai, "his clothes shout agent." And then, hearing Miss Coke's footsteps, Henry whirled eagerly about. The door of the sitting room was at right angles with Merrlals agent observatory. She stood between the curtains, and Miss Coke, although the young gtrl also had turned, did not observe her. Miss Coke came straight up to Henry, between him and the window, and, with her back to Merrial, she spoke. " I have thought It over and I have do I aocept you r offer. You elded." she said. may have the chest. It was easy to see from her face what the decision bad cost even easier, perhaps, to bear It tn her voice. Nevertheless, though be was sorry for her, Henrys eyes shone, triumphant, and he opened his lips to rejoice. But aa they opened, his eyes, over Miss Coke's head, fell upon Merrial. And Henry deliberately closed his lips. The joung girls face was pink with suppressed excitement, and she was mutely signaling to him. Don't, dont, pleaded the long lashed ejes; and " You must, you must withdraw jour offer," commanded the delicate, tight lips There was eofaething so vivid and desperate both m the pleading and tn the command that His eye fell from Henry wavered. v. By Katherine Newlin Burt. ' against my own wishes, and that I should feel so helpless She paused. " Let us go back to the sitting room, Henry," she said; that, at least, I can still call my own." 13, 1920. s. Aunt Jane turned her entire attention to bacon and toast. " He doesn't know be haa any Beaufort cousins, Aunt Jane. Tou see, e weren't kept up on the subject. That is, Dick wasn't. f I kept up. I was alwaj's morbidly interested In ou people. I got father to give me mother's old letters. Dick didnt seem to care. Aunt Jane criticaJlj' examined the small, pale face across the table. Merrial reminded her of a white sweet pea that morning. She had looked at her niece very often, but ahe waa always making new discoveries. She discovered this time that the "child looked delicate. " Don't work today, Merrial, commanded Aunt Jane harshly. I think I shan't." and Merrial rose to I feel tired." bring some fresh toast. " I don't want your brother to think I've worked you to a ghost. O. Pick knows me. If I look bke a ghost Its because I've worked myself. Nobody every worked me." And. indeed, there was a tantalizing air of about the slim thing that made Aunt Jane almost wish to play the tyrant and, for once, coerce her. I hope jou'U marry a big man with a stick," she said, with her grim humored No one can entirely escape discismile. mj-sel- Oh, let me get away, can't I? " whispered Winifred, now white faced. Merrial stood beside him on the bare, Uttle porch and looked up at him gratefully. You were wonderful," she said in a torof ardent conviction. So clever to guess Just what I wanted and so kind to give In! " Rivington had never been called " ad kind " before. He had also never been accused of giving in " He flushed and drew his eyebrows together. "Ive wanted that chest for years now, said he. so, in the collector's Interest, 1 shall requli-- a very sufficient explanation. I didn't want to give in, I assure jou. But when a girl looks at a man as jou did. there's no help for it, you know. e Merrial gravely regarded him. "Of course." she said, you must have seen how Aunt Jane felt about giving up the chest." Henry shrugged his shoulders a trifle I know she's loath to part with it. I've been fighting her for jears. But I offered a staggering sum. There was something to be gained on her side, you must in justice remember. Miss Houlton." Merrial shock her head. She would never, for herself, have parted I know!" she with it, I know," said she. added a moment later, as though propping a conv ietion. That chest means ever so much to her, Lord Rivlngton " Tou think it s sentiment with her?" Sentiment! He was startled at the fiery glance with which she punished him for the word. " Sentiment! Its something stronger than sentiment! No. Shes doing It for some one else Just breaking her heart to help some one; and. Lord Rivlngton, I've a notion who that some one is, and I believe O, I do i ope that Aunt Jane may soon be able to help any one she chooses, with no need for any sacrifice whatever." Really! " exclaimed Henry, and his tone, though Interested, was vaguelj- - skeptical. Menial's pupils widened at him. " I dont really know it yet, she admit-- , ted slowly, but Im hoping it, and, on the hope I was willing to ruk " To risk Miss Coke's chance of making her old age more comfortable; and to risk my hope of possessing the best collection of Tou are a gamold furniture in England! bler born. Miss Houlton. Well, you know," said Merrial, In a funny tone of apology. I don't care two cents about your collection, and Miss Cokes old age would not be helped if she lost the chest and gave away the money too now, would It?" Rivlngton was forced to admit that It would not! You might still help me get the chest," he smiled, and without molting one feather of your loyalty to Miss Coke. She has al- , "Wae be? put In Rivington. But so was 1." - "I'd thing! like to see jou said Merrial agent ' mere helmed by anyThis Ironically. not one, Miss Houlton. This agent. she went on Arm!-- , "asked lots of questions and took down lots of notes, and bes going to lay the matter before the comranv, and In a few days I have my I was 11 answer. O, I do hope Hoping made her face the sweetest, most wistful face Henry Rivington had ever seen. I do hope, too," said he, wondering as he rode off to entertain his mother's guests at Rivington House, that a matter of dollars " should so spiritually beautify a girl's expression. "O. Tripp, jou are indeed the best of best-es- t pals, Merrial whispered westward, as You she reviewed the doings of the day. were quite right not to come though!" How to stave off her brother Dick's seemingly Inevitable fiasco by his masquerading before Alice Beaufort as an Englishman, Merrial had been quite unable to see. The only way that occurred to her was, f possible, to prevent his return to til neighborhood of Lady Rivlngton' nieces " In the hope that his embryo "affair with Alice might fade out, and leave both her and Dick heart whole. Merrial realized that the summer terra at Oxford was about to end. and "long vacation to begin. Elfrida Rivington would be returning from Oxford to Rivlngton house, and it was more than likely that, sooner or later, Dick would be included In one of their house parties. Meanwhile, thanks to Dick's utter of his sister's plaps and doings, he remained unaware that she had been staying for some weeks under the very roof of a state of innoLady Rlvington's nieces cence In which Merrial decided it was best to leave him. But when she went to visit Aunt Jane, she had written Dick, and (knowing that, to him, the name of Miss Jane Coke connect with the Rivlngtons would not or Besuforts) had given him that address, mildly suggesting that he might let her know his plans for the vacation, in case they could Join forces In London or elsewhere for a week or two, " Id like to meet you in London directly your term ends, and before jou start visiting your friends th I promise to dowdy dukes and duchesses. myself to the queen's taste," wrote Merrial, " but the Dundreary drawl mischievously is beyond me! You'll have to do all the talking, If the disguise is to be maintained!" To this letter now arrived Dick's reply, and Merrial' ejaculation of dismay as she read it reached Aunt Jane across the breakfast table though this was quite unintentional. Dick'a coming to stay with the Rivlngtons. Igno-rsne- e pline. Well. said Merrial, " majbe I will marry an Englishman." " Necessarily synonymous with my description? Aunt Jane, having pushed back her chair, condescended to carry on the subject. We say, on our side the water, that Englishmen bully their wives. And of course say that we American women bully our O, I wish you husbands, said Merrial. could meet Tripp! And then the white sweet pea turned vividly pink, and murmuring something about letters burriqd away from Aunt Jane' inquiring eyebrows. Merrial cooled ber cheeks in her own bedroom. I should like to take a look at Rivington What an house. she thought dreamily. awful young man he Is Lord Rivington! Merrial spent five or ten minutes with er chin in her hand, contemplating her memdry of the awful young man, and twinkles played hide and seek with gravity in her cool eyes. He was certalnUy very, very different from Tripp Harl; different In many ways from any young roan she had ever known. He is delightful and he is charming, and I can see that no one has ever worked him, either. 1 wonder If he would be a big man with a stick. His manner la much more subdued than Tripp's, but Iv a notion And after notioning to her heart's content. she fixed her eyes once more upon her brother's letter and furrowed her brow seriously. I see no way out of It, except to scare Dick out of this whole neighborhood. If he stays, it's got to come out that hes been masquerading like a fool, and Alice won't look at him again. If I meet him with any of the Beaufort or th Rivlngton, b'U have to drop his nonsense and run up tb Stars and Stripes. And I'm not going to expose him myself that would be too awful. Her eyes strayed aero her littl writing r table to a copy of the local paper ccMnln-headvertisement of quince preserve.. - That will do It If .anything will. she decided. I'll send him a copy of it and tall him I'm doing roaring trade with tha Rlv. and relative lngtons and till their friends I am. a plain what m Just for take who American, out for th dollar! Ye, that will send th poor boy off the scene, or I mis my to be kind,' guesa. I must ' be cruel, only And I must get this she quoted, Judicially. over to him pronto, or there'll be complications yet Dear Dick, ahe wrote, you don't seem to- realize that Im staying with Aunt Jana Coke, only five mile from the Rivlngton. As youll see from th Inclosed advertisement, Im running a great business In quince preserve, end count upon your influence to get me large ordere from all your friends In th neighborhood. They evidently havent associated eo dlstinguft a Houlton as you with o grossly American a jam drummer as yours truly. But you can correct that Uttle oversight In fact, I count upon, you to do ao. Aunt Jane will be deUghted to have you visit us here If you can spare the time from Lady Rivington' nieces. Theyve already tasted my preserve, though who know but may Induce them to increase their order. Yours for prosperity. - Merrial Houltok. cant get over to see us Ill If you p. meet you later In London; only let me know w hen and where. Merrial read It over carefully, decided It could be effective, and enclosing the newsNow paper advertisement, sealed It up. how to get It there quickly, she pondered. Lord Rivlngton is 6ure sooner or later to ask him awkward questions about a certain American girl, of the same name, a cousin of the Beaufort though hell probably leave out the quince preserve adventure; men are so cautious with each other! The thing is to get this to Dick before he is asked any questions at all. The gods being good, Merrial at that moment espied the shining sunlike visage of Dr. Unwin descending from bis car at Misa Coke's front gate. I'll bribe him with a jar of preserve to be my messenger, she 6aid. And having perpetrated this bargain, Merrial breathed more freely and returned to her room to obey Aunt Jane's Instructions, and rest. However, It waa but a tew minutes later that our archplotter was aroused by a familiar call from downstairs; Winifred Beaufort had driven over In the dog cart. She made her way up to her cousin's room and Merrial found herself face to face there and then with the problem she hoped she had Just solved so effectlvelj'. Alice wants you to come back to lunch with me, If you can. Mr. Houlton is coming over from the Rivlngtons. He arrived with Elfrida from Oxford and asked If be might come to lunch. Alice wants jou so much to meet him, you know. Id love to come, but I can't possibly today. Im engaged for lunch. Win. Some other time Ill meet Alices English Mr. Houl( Will my note get to ton, If she'il let me. Dick at the Rivington In time?" Merrial S- - wondered.) She noticed Wins woebegone face, sad and drawn, and shook a mental fist at Gertrude .Harts flirtatious tons blindly stolid Kenneth Stansense of honor. Stay and chat a btt. Win; I'm having an off day till lunch; too much quince preserve maketh the head buzz. You still don't look so tremendously spry yourself, young waj-s.'an- lady! " I'm all right, she replied, languidly. Hubert's always asking why you dont come to see us, she changed the subject. Com over tomorrow; there'll be some people in for tennis. Come early and give me a good fight before the rest arrive. I need a shaking up and youre so good at that, she smiled. I'll be there, and tell Hubert I'll prepare a whole volume of stories for him. Heavens, who's that? Winifreds face flushed as they listened to Kenneth Stanton's voice downstairs, asking Miss Coke if Mis Houlton was at home; wouldn't she come for a ride with him. He had brought over a horse for her. Oh, let me get away, cant I?" whispered Winifred, now white faced. I Just cant bear to meet him, Merrial. Let me stay here while you go down. He'll have seen tb dog cart outside, but he may think it Alice calling. Merrial whisked out to the stairway. I'd love to come, Mr. Stanton. I beard your Invitation, Thank you eo much. I'll be ready In half a second. And dashing back to Winifred, with finger cn lipsshe was la a riding skirt in a twinkling, and tripping down to her cavalier, whip in hand. Tou have really com just to take me out riding, Mr. Stanton; how kind of you."' ahe said, smiling up at him. I have come for that purpose and for no other, said he. M hich is not altogether true, manln-hole, commented Merrial, mentally. To have come to talk to me about yourself and your predicament, and why you didnt com long ago I can't Imagine. Th plot thickens! She looked taller than usual In her dark riding dresa and more like a gracefully stiff quill than ever. She gave her ungloved right hand to Stanton and looked him In the eyea. I era glad you have come to me at last, she said, gravely. (To be continued.) a (Coprrlsht: 1920: Bx Katherine JiewUa 1U |