Perhaps I can help your suit."
"Gracious lady, all I ask is that you thrust out your foot and
trip up Berkeley Fresno whenever he starts toward her. Put him
out of the play, and I shall be the happiest man in the world."
"Agreed."
"Now, in what way can I serve you?"
Mrs. Keap became embarrassed, while the same shadowy trouble that
had been observed of late settled upon her.
"I simply hate to ask it," she said, "but I suppose I must. There
seems to be no other way out of it." Turning to him suddenly, she
said, in a low, intense voice: "I--I'm in trouble, Mr. Speed,
such dreadful trouble!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" he answered her, with genuine solicitude.
"You needn't have made any conditions. I would have done anything
I could for you."
"That's very kind, for I don't like our air of conspiracy, but"--
Mrs. Keap was wringing her slender hands--"I just can't tell the
girls. You--you can help me."
Speed allowed her time to grow calm, when she continued:
"I--I am engaged to be married."
"Felicitations!"
"Not at all," said the young widow, wretchedly.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86