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Exponent of the Real Religion: It Is Not Saving for Himself That Makes a Man, But Service for Others TIT — — Cupid may be a tiny little imp, but he knows no fear, and nothing ‘'feazes” him. Their Married Life HIS MOTHER’S HEAVY, MIDDAY CHRISTMAS DINNER UPSETS WARREN’S DIGESTION A1 rj BA") f A Thrilling Story of Society Blackmailers with a glow of sympathy. Sh« could hava hugged her for that remark. “Well, she’ll not make him very haj y If she's the headstrong, willful rr.lss that I take her to be," grunted Mr. Curtis. “Why. I thought she was very sweet," ventured Helen, "and she seems to be a girl of exceptional In telligence.’’ "Eh? What’s that?" demanded Mr. Curtis sharply. "I thought she seemed very «weet and unusually Intelligent for so young a girl," repeated Helen. A STRONG WILL. "Humph! Well, headstrongness Isn’t intelligence! And Bob’s not the one to put up with any foolishness—\ that boy's got a will of his own." ”1 think all of the Curtises have." said Helen quietly. "Eh? What’s that?" ; elen knew perfectly well that Mr. Curtis had heard what she said, but he always greeted her remarks with a rasping, “Eh? What’s that?" said I thought all the Curtises were strong-willed,'’ with deliberate defiance, "though I’ve noticed they resent that trait in any one else." "Eh? What’s that—what’s that?” fairly spluttered Mr. Curtis. "Well, maybe we think one headstrong, self- willed daughter-in-law in the family la enough.” "No doubt you’re right," retorted Helen outwardly calm, but inwardly quaking at her temerity. "And 1 hop* Bob s wife will be more suc res. .’ill than I—In winning the ap proval of her husband's family.” There was an ominous silence. Helen kept her eyes on the dominoes. "They re overbuilding all around I but she knew that Warren was Rlar- here Half of these apartments are in(f Rt ber. and that Mr. Curtis was empty People won't pay the rent, ’ . speerhleas with ratte. yrowled Warren’s father, who owned | who would have broken the sBonre the old-fashioned three story house they lived In. and who hated the In By MABEL HERBERT URNER. H]V 1 OTHER, you take this chair.” I Warren drew forward a large armchair for his mother, and then eettled himself on the window seat w r lth a cigar. With a quick, self-conscious glance • bout the roofn, Helen went over to the couch w'here Carrie's ’two chil dren were playing with one of the many games Santa Claus had brought them. They had Just come in from dinner, the family Christmas dinner that Warren’s mothe/ always had at o'clock. And now they would sit • round and talk for the rent of the afternoon. Helen always dreaded these holi day dinners, and she dreaded more the "sitting around” afterward. Every one felt heavy and uncom fortable from having eaten an over rich dinner at this unaccustomed hour Warren’s father, leaning back in his big leather chair, nodded •’eeplly, and the others felt too lan guid to make much attempt at con- rersatlon. Helen began fitting a set of dom inoes into their box from the sheer need of doing something ivith her hands. She had anticipated this try ing period after dinner ami had longed to bring some fancy work But she knew Warren's mother would be ■backed at her "sewing on Christ mas." "IBooks like It’s getting ready to vasion of the large apartments. "All cheaply built, too. Speculative build ings -every one of ’em '* We were talking about Bob tak ing one of those corner apartments,” murmured Mrs. Curtis, "lie promised ir.e he'd go over and look at them ." "Nonsense, mother." protested Car- ria, "you know' she won’t be willing to live that near the family. 1 ven ture she’ll make Boh take an apart ment over there on Park avenue. ’ "Well, Bob can’t nfTord any forty- five- hu nd red-dollar rent." announced his father, decisively. ••Here’s the and what they would have said Helen never knew, for Hoy. Cnrries little boy. now demanded shrilly. "Aunt Helen, you said you d play parchesl with me. "So I did.” cheerfully board, now where’s the tnetC" "I’ll get ’em," gleefully scrambling flown off the couch, for Roy adored his Aunt Helen, and to play games with her was a rare treat. "Perhaps wed better play In the other room.” suggested Helen. "Then we won't disturb »ny one. and with out glancing at Warren or his father, Helen took up the parches! board and retreated to the next room. t was always the same, she thought bitterly Warren's father al ways aroused the worst that was In eagerlv. "But they've ten her' Oh. why did she dislike him so.' ),. v * Ju.t her father Why could she never come to this hey. just he. father | hQu ' R without some such controversy? Helen." protested escapement, she was walking down the street with Warren. “If you want to take the subway, all rlgnt,” curtly. "I want some ex erclse.’’ "Oh, I .think I can walk—I’m sure I ran." protested Helen. "And the streets ar*j so wonderful now," for the lights were beginning to gleam out through the half dusk. They walked on in silence. Helen had expected him to storm out at her about her words with his father And now, fts always, his silence was more disconcerting than his out spoken wrath. She felt too that this time he had tight to be angry. She was full of remorse and self-reproach that she had allowed his father to Irritate her to the point of clashing. It was quite dark now. and Helen slipped an appealing hand through Warren's arm. but his arm hung stiffly straight and unresponsive. "Dear, I know I shouldn’t have spoken like that to your father—I’m sorry!" "Huh, you’re always sorry! You say and do whatever you blame please-—then try to wriggle out of It by saying ‘you’re sorry.’ ” "But I do want you to know, dear that to-day—after you gave me that beautiful" "Well, there’s other ways of show ing appreciation besides everlastingly spouting about It. Here's a drug store. I’ve g9t to get something for this indigestion These midday din ners are Inventions of the devil!” Helen followed him into the drug store, where he bought a bottle of pepsin lozenges "See here. " as they came out on the street. "Arc wft supposed to go to Carrie s for New Year's dinner?” "Why, yes. dear; she invited ns sev eral weeks ago. You said we'd go!" “Well, now, I say we WON’T! You have a headache or any other kind of an ache that’ll get ns out of that, one of these turkey-mince-pie-holi day orgies a year Is ENOUGH! Any way, it's all my digestion will stand.” (Novelized by> (From the nlay by George Scar borough, now being presented at the Thirty-ninth Street Theater, New York. Serial rights held and copyrighted by International News Service.) BY NELL BRINKLEY he braces his small less and rounds out h i s tummy and draws the singing string to his pink ear (and still it looks like play, for his mouth beyond the bow is smiling just the same), and he shuts one bright eye; and you smile on also —■•nd — one tiny, Ticious twang — time enough to see behind Lore'i smile an Icy cruel ty— and over you topple—clean gone — in love — the deadly bittersweet struck deep 1 n your heart! Did you ever dare Love to wing you and find he never takes a dare? Don’t do It, even if you’re the last- ingest old bache lor ever was! —Nell Brinkley. K BIG RK\T. "Is that what they pay?" Carrie asked. looms, haven't t and her It's ridiculous! It wouldn't surprise me If she'd make Bob etay right there with them." ' Unless Bob's lost ALL his senses— he'll not do that " declared Warren, grimly, getting up to look for an ash tray. He’ll probably do lust about what the wants him to do—that’s my opln- retorted Carrie "I've seen her only twice, but she Impressed me as being a very self-willed young wom- Helen was still fitting and refit ting the dominoes in the box. But now she wes listening with Intense interest to to.s family discussion of the girl to w mini Bob was engaged. How had they talked about her when «he was engaged to Warren? She often wondered if they had re ferred to her as "Helen" or "Miss Allen.” And now she felt quick re sentment that they had not even mentioned Louise's name, speaking of her merel> os "she" and "her." As Helen both liked and admired Louise, ehe longed to say something in her defense. -Well, the old man's pretty solid. Isn't he?' demanded Mr Curtis of Warren. “Bob doesn't seem Inclined to tell me much, but I looked him up’ count." No—no. Aunt Roy, “you’ve got to throw a five to come out! Don't you want to play?" disappointedly, sensing that Helen’s thoughts were not on the game. ••Of course I do!" absentedly shak ing the dice. Roy beat her badly, but he took no pleasure in bis victory? for he kept saving she had not "tried.' • Well. now. I ll try HARD. I'll beat you this time." for Helen, rather than go back with the others, wanted to keep on playing. And this Christmas should have been such a happy one! It was thr first tint* since their marriage that Warren had given her a real Christ mas gtft. Surely to-day. Helen thought with a pane of remorse, she should have controlled her antago nism to his father. "Roy." called Carrie. "get your things on now. We’re going home.' Then came a general breaking up Although Mrs. Curtis Invited them .,11 to stay for "tea." the heavy dinner and the long afternoon in the over heated house had left every one dull and headachy, and they were all glud to get out in the fresh air. X KOBMAI.ITI Helen told M on my own account." i "it. Curtla how much she • On. I guess he's solid all right,’* | had "enjoyed the dinner," a prim for- admitted Warren, rnality that she never omitted with " lf ,, she mr koy happy, it ! h) family With Mr. Curtis she ex- deesn t matter so much about the: , . . . . . money," said Mrs. Curtis, gently. I changed a frigid good-bye, and th« \rnt<l to Warrea i mother next aaoui^at* with a sense of Joyous The President of the United St&tei lias a new mascot—& large black cal which wandered into the breakfasl room of the White House and jumped on Dr. Woodrow Wilson’s knee. The President was so pleased with tht .ucky cat that, after feeding It, ly* gave orders that it was to be fed, housed and looked after as long as it cared to stay. A bride s dressing room is to be pro vided at a church in New York. The organ loft over the church entrance will be removed, and in Its place a beautifully equipped room will be built. Here the bride will bo able to put the finishing touches to her attire. Mr. Philip Raschka, a German tailor, floated upright in the Thamei from Lambeth Bridge to Vauxhall Bridge recently In a special pneu matic costume he has Invented. He smoked a cheroot, ate and drank aa be moved along In the water. Electric rat traps are In use In Am- iterdam. They are connected by a wire with a supply of electricity. The place where the bait rests Is the only part of the trap which is a conductor, and the moment the rat touches this 4 •hock closes his career. Guest (departing from Christmas party) We've had a simply delight ful time! Hostess I’m so glad At the same time. I regret that the storm kept all of our best people away. TO-DAY’S INSTALLMENT. And only Chief Dempster paused to wonder why, when Captain Hol brook gave “his wife” tenderly over to her father, lie did not kiss her good-bye. To Father Shannon that marked the finest moment in all Law rence Holbrook's career of strength and power. “Sleep well, Aline,” he said, “for Joy coineth in the morning.” And all through the long sleepless hours of (lie night—all through the moments that clung and pursued and tortured and would not go—all through the crawling seconds of hor ror, Aline wondered if Joy would come again with any morning’s light. Her Father. Would the dawn ever come? Would Holbrook find a way? Could she weakly accept the sacrifice and care of a splendid soldier like her captain? How could she let him double and run and evade the law for her—WHEN SHE WAS ANOTHER MAN’S WlEE —OR WORSE—AND SHE LOVED HEIR CAPTAIN EVEN AS HE LOVED HER? The first message of day was one of loyalty—for Hattie, her maid, knocked at the door of Aline’s cham ber of horrors and told her that Fa ther Shannon “waited below to talk “with his daughter.” “Father Shannon?” said the girl— and then her weary mind took up its burden again. Would her father give her the same love and understand ing—when he knew? Rut Nature makes her claims and answers her questions quickly—and past all the maunderings of mere rea son ! "Dear lady!” said the priest, com ing to her and taking her hand in his with a world of understanding sympathy in his firm clasp. And then, in one moment, Nature and the ties of life and of a lifetime settled all doubts with the call of in stinct. Aline moaned in anguish— and turned to her father. Graham met her before her first faltering step had been taken—and as if she were a tired child he cir cled her with his arms. "Aline!” he said—and no more; but in his breaking voice there was the promise of understanding—of love— of help that should endure through all. "Don’t desert me. I need you so, daddy. I need you so.” It was the sob of a little child who has strayed far—and come home at last. It was the cry of a girl who has waked to womanhood too soon. It was the moan of a breaking heart. The man answered his daughter quietly, leashing his strength for hei’ protection as a man must when the thing he loves proves fragile and he trembles lest he break it. "Desert you? That your idea of your daddy? But why don’t you trust me, dear?” "I trust you more than anybody alive. I just want to put my head on your breast this minute and tell you everything in my life—everything.” The girl’s slender body was shaken by the force of sobs pent from ex pression—and deep, slow weeping that must be tears unshed. Her voice held alt the slow, dull agony of her night of torture. She clung in terror to her father’s strength. "I seem to have been so far away from you. daddy—so far away. Oh. daddy, put your arms around me. both of them—hold me close and safe— there ’’ And, like the tired child she had become. Aline crept into her shelter "Then tell me, dearie—tell your dad everything. What do you know of this business of Flagg’s death?" Aline marshaled her forces—and re membered her vow of .jsilence. mustn’t talk—I’ve told you that— I can't talk.” “Hasn’t the night made you see it any clearer?” “No; a vow is a vow. I can’t talk unless I have Captain Holbrook’s per mission. 1 must have his permis sion.” »She mused on and then gath ered herself again to meet the de mands of the day. “I can’t talk, father. That was the promise—Father Shannon heard it.” “Why did Captain Holbrook exact such a vow before Chief Dempster and I found you together? What was there to conceal?” It was the District Attorney talking "I can't speak about any of it,” said Aline. She rose from the cold comfort of the velvet cushions, and held out her arms to her father. “Don’t—don’t be angry. Just hold me—hold me, Dad dy. I haven’t slept any—all night— and—and I’m so—so—tired.” “What kept you from sleeping?” said Graham, comforting the stricken girl for a moment of silence—and then remembering that there was much for him to learn. “Did YOU sleep?” She stirred in his arms—and then turned to Father Shannon. “You saw that man in the hall, Fa ther Shannon?” “Yes, my dear.” “You told him—how I am a pris oner—guarded?” asked the girl of her father.* “Yes.” “Two of them in the house all night * * * one outside—my window— outside my window, Father—on guard. * * * I could see him whenever I looked through my curtains—hunting for the first signs of dawn—I.could hear the other—walking—to keep awake—and I could not sleep—so * * * no one could—no one could * * •” Her voice ended in a cry of horror. A Message. “You don’t know, my child. Did you ever read the life of poor Marie Stuart? Twenty years—not a com fortable house like this—but stone walls and bars. We don’t know what strength Heaven sends us till we ask for it in His Name.” As he finished speaking there was a knock at the door. The two men turned with differing sorts of ex pectancy—for each thought it would be Holbrook—Holbrook sent to the house on parole—but under guard, who must enter. Aline feared only new horrors of revelation—and tied again to her father. “Come, in,’’ said Graham—and Chief Dempster and Inspector McIntyre of the police entered. The girl shrank in premonition at the Chiefs Introduction: “This is In spector McIntyre, Miss Graham.” “How do you do?” quavered the girl. "Miss Graham—your father and I are old friends,” said the Inspector se riously. New terror for Aline, the while her father replied. “Twenty years, isn’t it, Inspector?” “Yes. sir—twenty. Ah, Father Shannon, good-morning—against that light window all things look black to me, so I missed you at first." Aline wondered dully how these men—who had come to trap her— could stop for parley. She was alone, helpless—Holbrook could not^help her now—they would trap her. “Graham, the Inspector wants to talk to some of your servants—and as a matter of form we’ll have to look over " began the Chief—and then mercifully finished the sentence— “look about a bit.” "I understand/’ said Graham, un- derstaning too well. "Hattie,” he called. "Excuse me—we’ll take our own way if you don’t mind.” said the In spector. As you please, gentlemen.” “We promise not to take anything that’s nailed down.” laughed the In spector. jovially—this was all in the day’s work to him. "See you later.” said the Ghief with equal jauntiness. And Aline won dered if her father, too, w»s ever so pitilessly merry when—human life was at stake.” To Be Continued Monday, A9 From Lucille’s Diar\) QSk Y ESTERDAY morning Betty tele phoned me that Uncle Bob had gone to Milwaukee for two days and she asked me to pass the night with her, for her maid was away and she was timid about staying In the house alone. I knew aq evening at Betty’s would not be enlivening, so I was Just about to call up Walter Cox that afternoon to ask him to come out there to see me, when Mrs. Sturtevant telephoned me that she was giving a little din ner, her husband having brought home a fine bag of ducks from a hunt ing trip. I am exceedingly fond of game, so of course I notified Betty that I should not be able to reach her house until after dinner. “You won’t mind, will you, dear?” I asked her. “Why, I suppose not,” she answered doubtfully. “But I’m disappointed, Lucille, for I had planned a little feast of the things that I know you especially like Alligator pears, for one thing.” "Oh, Betty, do save them for break fast,” I said. “I don’t see why they wouldn’t be Just as delicious in the morning as at night.” It was a pleasure to find at the Sturtevants such good friends as Ly man Hurlburd, George Requier and Louise Erwin. We had a gay little party and after dinner George sug- ' nested that we all go to ope of the vaudeville theatres where there was an especially attractive bill. I1IS PERSUASION Wr\S. “I really shouldn’t go,” I said. “I ought riot to stay out late to-night.” “Really, Lucille,” teased Larry Stur tevant, “this desire for early hours is a sudden departure of yours.” “But ’’ I began. “Oh, come now. Lucfle,” interrupted George. “Don’t throw cold water on roy project. The fact is, I conspired with LWrs. Sturtevant earlier in the day and the tickets are already in my pocket.” “Lucille.” said Lyman with mock solemnity, “lf you’ve formed some early to bed resolutlohs let me assure you that you are laboring under a delusion, for you don’t show the slightest need of beauty sleep.” Then I was laughingly swept into one of the waiting taxis and carried to the theatre without having a chance In the general merriment to explain. However, I consoled myself with the thought that the perform ance would be over early. Knowing | what a voracious reader Betty is. I | felt reasonably sure that she would become absorbed in a book and would not observe my delay In arriving. "Now it’s my turn to take a hand in this evening’s festivities,” an nounce^ Lyman Hurlburd after the theatre, as our taxis stopped In front of a brilliantly lighted restaurant. “You're all to have supper with me ” "Oh, how nice!” exclaimed Mrs. Sturtevant. When I began to object Lyman said, “Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present to you our once genial Lucille in her new role of killjoy, a part she has never taken before.” “Nonsense, Lyman, don’t say any- i thing more,” I cried, Jumping out of j the taxi and going with the party into the restaurant. It was about 1 o’clock when George j rang Uncle Bob’s doorbell for me. j Betty came, and without unchaining the door, opened it very slightly, and j peering out. demanded In a trembling tone to know who was there “Lucille,” I replied. Then, giving my hand to George, I dismissed him with a word of thanks. BETTY IS WORRIED. “Oh, Lucille, what happened to you?” sobbed Betty the instant I stepped into the house. “I was terribly worried and I’ve been frightened nearly to death In this house all alone. I couldn’t do anything but walk the floor.” “Really, dear,” I said, “you ought to consult some doctor about your nerves.” “But, Lucille, what detained you? Your mother was dreadfully agitated when I called her up about 10 o'clock to ask why you didn’t come. She phoned the Sturtevants, where she said you had gone, but could get no answer. She has called up several times since then to ask lf you had come. You must let her know at once that you are here.” Mother, after all her ridiculous ^nxiety, appeared *to be more angry than relieved when she learned that I had been safe at the theatre all the evening. Sometimes I think mother is the most inconsistent creature in the world.. Betty, too, is extremely peculiar in some ways. I could scarcely suppress a smile this morning at breakfast when she flushed with vexation be cause I declined the alligator pears. “I ate so much of them after the theatre last night that I’m a little surfeited, dear," I explained. And surely that was a pretty good reason. “Well, that’s the last straw'," she exclaimed. Really, I was amazed at such rudeness. I often feel sorry for poor Uncle Bob because he has such an uncom fortable wife. Up-to-the-Minute Jokes “Ah, yes,” murmured Miss Schreeeher, after the first selection at the concert. “I have had some very exciting experiences. Coming over here from Paris, a terrible storm arose, and I had to sing to quiet the passengers. You should have seen the heavy seas running.”' And the big, rude man in the pink necktie gazed out of the window. “I don’t blame the sea,” he mut tered. * * * Sir Robert Ball, the famous astron omer, who has just died, was rather fond of telling the story of a corre spondent who wrote to him saying that, although he was a grocer’s as sistant, his great ambition was to be come an astronomer. But he got his ideas somewhat mixed, for this was one of his sentences: “My mind finds no rest for the sole of her foot save on one of the heavenly bodies.” “Oh. Mr. Flipperly,” she exclaimed, soulfully, “have you ever felt a dim, uneasy sense of oppression as if the mere weight of life were a burden too heavy to be borne by the chained spirit panting with psychic longing to be free?” "i invariably have such a feeling at Christmas time,” was the callous re sponse, “but hitherto I have attribut ed it to pudding!” * + * “I’m going to have a fine time on Christmas,” said one sprightly young lady to another. “Mr. Huggins is coming to our party, and he is color blind, you know.” “J>oes his color blindness add to your enjoyment?” asked her ' friend. “Rather!” was the reply. “He thinks all the holly berries are mistle toe!” When a car has its full complement of passengers it is never an easy Job to make one’s way down the center gangway. No one, of course, knew that better than the conductor; but, seeing that while collecting fares he had stumbled twice in two minutes over the feet of Willie Smith, and seeing that the aforesaid Master Willie was quite the smallest passenger on board, he had a nasty suspicion that on each occasion a foot had been put out de liberately to trip him. “Some people seems to have mighty awkward sons,” remarked the con ductor, casting a malicious glance to ward the mother. “Yes.” replied the lady thus ad dressed; “that’s exactly what I was thinking about your poor mother!” CHICHESTER S PILLS THE DlAVltfNI) BRAND. A l>ru vgla IMA MO V- oth « r Buy «*f joai A - < for C111 • ( inrs-TER's OND BRAND PILL*, fn, «6 years known as Best. Safest, Always Reliable SOLD BY DRUGGISTS EVERVWHF?' Every Woman is Interested and should know about the wond#rhi! Marvel Douche Askyourdrusrs-lstf It. If he cannot sap- ply the MARVEL, accept no other. 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