Part 29 (2/2)

”He didn't. He suspected someone else. You can have it back, Hebby. It's so garish it puts my eyes out. I didn't want it. I just wanted to steal it.”

”Ruling pa.s.sion, Meg.”

”No; you're way off. Here comes the 'solemn guy.' Tell him I found it and returned it to you.”

Just then Kingdon drove around the curve.

”Glad to see you again, Miss Pen. I thought you had forsaken us. I see you've made Mr. Hebler's acquaintance. But I must take him away from you for a while.”

As Hebler got into the car, Kurt came up.

”Oh, Mr. Walters, I'm happy to say I have my ring. Meg--Miss Lamont saw it and took it for a joke on me. Sorry I mentioned it.”

A little wave of remorse swept over Pen for a second as she turned to Kurt and saw the look in his eyes when the two men had driven off.

”He seemed to have an air of proprietors.h.i.+p,” he said jealously. ”Has he really a legal right to take you away?”

”Looks that way. Mrs. Kingdon thought so. I never could get legal stuff through my head. It was for an offense committed long ago, but not outlawed. There is something I want to say to you. Last night you asked me to marry you. Don't look so afraid of the cars! I am not going to sue you for breach of promise. I wouldn't marry the grandest man living unless he loved me supremely--enough, at least, to overlook the stealing of a ring.

Kurt,” she added after a pause, ”did it occur to you I might have had a reason for stealing that ring? To put you to the test--your love, I mean--before answering you?”

”Pen--”

”Never mind, now. Jo wouldn't have gone back on me if he had been my lover. There's the ideal lover for you. There's one thing I didn't try to steal up here--Jo from Marta. Well, it's all over now, and I am going back--back with Hebby.”

”You are not going away with that man,” he said hotly. ”Mrs. Kingdon arrives to-day. She will find a way out.”

”I think not. You don't know Hebby. I think I want to go with him.”

”You see,” he said looking at her wistfully, ”you didn't love me--”

”Then we're quits,” she laughed, jumping quickly on the wheel and speeding toward the house.

”The beans are sure spilled now,” she thought, when she had gained her room. ”I've outwitted Kurt, and I must give Hebby the same treatment, but how can I make my getaway? Hebby in town--and such a small town. They took the racer. The big car is out of commission. Sandy rode to the corral in Kurt's shebang. No horse leaves the stables without Kurt's O. K. Oh, for the wings of a dove! There's my inspiration! I know some better wings than a dove's. I'll telephone Larry and literally fly from here.”

She went into Mrs. Kingdon's room where there was an extension telephone and called up Larry at the hotel. Fortunately he was within call.

”Want to do something for me Larry, dear? Hebby is here! I'm in a mix-up as I generally am. No way out unless you'll fly to me up here. I mean it.

Inquire the way to Westcott's ranch--the next beyond Top Hill where I am.

Land by a big red-roofed barn--only red roof in vicinity. I'll be there at three this afternoon, and be yours forever after if you'll have me. I knew I could count on you. This is really serious, Larry. If you love me, don't fail me.”

She hung up the receiver with a sigh of relief.

”To think of falling back on Larry whom I used to consider a lightweight.

He is my last ditch, and then I'm off by the overhill and skyville route.

In the meantime I'll make some ma.n.u.script memoirs to leave behind.”

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