"THE BOLTED DOOR."

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17585, 26 March 1929, Page 3

"THE BOLTED DOOR."

By GEORGE GIBBS

CHAPTER X. TWO—AND AN EXTRA. De Laud rose and glanced at his 'host. What did he know? Had some one. seen them? G&rriott's face told nothing. It was safer lor De Land to keep ids poise, so he laughed; and on his feet lie felt tit a greater advantage. "Upon my word. Garriott, you use pretty strong language. I don't deny my love for Mrs. Garriott, and I. don't affirm it. In fact I'm very doubtful lis to the propriety of discussing the matter. I don't feel that any legal claim you may have on Mrs. Garriott's confidences would give you any right to mine. Sentimentally, ylou know, I don't see how you come in at all. You certainly could not deny Mrs. Garriott's right to ask whomever she pleases, here or anywhere else. You'll pardon me if I add that you're giving yourself undue trouble trying to forbid the privileges of a friendship as old j as .'ours. I'm not aware that. Mrs. Garriott has tried to restrict your friendships. If she did try, I can hardly believe you to be the man to be a party to any such injustice.. You have thought best to talk freely to me, so 51011 can't blame me for meeting you on even terms, though I think it's all in pretty bad taste. If Mrs. Garriott chooses to talk of me to you. that is her affair, and pardonable under the circumstances, but even that doesn't give me the right to talk to you about her. I don't make a practice of discussing women with men—even with their husbands, Garriott. It would be very much pleasanter to me, therefore, if you will bring the personal part of this interview to an end." His insolence was admirable. He brought all the habits of his foreign training, all the distinguishing tricks in manner and speech of his class. — the broad a. the modish gesture, the stilted speech—to bear on the. man before him. matching his sophistry against Garriott's strength, his graceful ironv against Garriott's simplicity, S conscious that he cut a brilliant figure against so sombre a background. TT is host listened quietly, his eyes half closed, his jaw a little firmer, missing nothing, growing each moment firmer in his conviction of De Land's presumption . "I'm not ready to end it yet," he ""id, calmly, "When Fve finished I'll see you. I want you to understand one thing. De Land, and that is. I'm not a fool. T've come to you here because I wanted to be open and aboveboard. : and because I wanted to give you j the chance to be the same. It doesn't i strike me you're meeting me in that soirit. Suit yourself. But remember that I'm going to exercise whatever rights the law has given me to keep -"V house in- order. I shall be no stumbling block to Mrs'.. CJalrriott's old friendships, but ancient sentimental attachments will be. from this day, | barred. Do you understand?" A quick shrug of De Land's shoulders was half of indifference, half of

M'OUR SERIAL STORY 1&

contempt, but he swallowed uneasily. '"lt Mrs. Garriott wishes our friendship discontinued, she'll probably tell me so." ■'•l'm afraid you'll have to rely on me for that. Mrs. Garriott and I might, differ as to a cause for discontinuing it. We don't always agree.. But you can be sure of one thing: ' ii' -you behave yourself, you're as suro of « welcome here as in any other house in New York." By this time, the poise of Garriott's ; guest was tottering. His contempt of ; Gai-riott's authority and opinions had fallen lightly on that gentleman's broad shoulders:, it seemed almost as though De Land had not spoken at all. "Thanks." he said, trying to keep his temper. "And are you to be the of my behaviour?" "Oh, I hope not. There won't be any need to have it censored, if you understand what I've been talking about." "I understand only one thing;—and that is that you've gone out of your way to insult a guest in your own house." '"Oh. I wouldn't say that," Garriott broke in coolly. "If is the last thing I had in mind. You're necessary here, move a part of the social scheme even than I. bait since I am here. I thought we could clear the atmosphere by a quiet understanding; which would make it possible to enjoy it together." '•That isn't possible," muttered De hand. "By this time it must be fairly obvious to you, Garriott, that this marriage has in no way altered the conditions which existed three weeks ago. Under the law, Natalie Judson is your wife: but no human law can ever change the fact that she still cares for me." "She has told you that?" • Mr. De Land laughed and shrugged his shoulders, but he made no answer. Garriott had now risen and was eying his guest curiously, an ominous glitter in the shadows of his. heavy brows. "Perhaps you're right, De Land. We could never understand each other. You belong to a different breed of man to anyhing I've ever been used to. You've pfot plenty -of nerve. It's a pity you don't apply it to a more useful purpose than' the pursuit of misma.ted wives. I'm not going l to say any more except this: Follow my advice, and we'll get along; otherwise " He paused, took up his glass and drained it at a gulp. "Otherwise we'll not get along," he finished grimly. They faced each other in silence ■, just on the outer edge of the' rim of the cone of light over the billiard table, unaware of the figure that had entered the room a while before, and now stood in the shadow at the other' side, trembling with anger and -misgiving. In the tense silence which- followed Garriott's threat, they heard her gasp, turned with one accord, and saw her. Garriott took a step, but she came foi-ward into the circle of light and. faced him, dark-eyed and pale, her expression set in lines which took on unpleasant distinctness in the streaming glare of the bttlbs beside her. "So you've been discussing me?" she said, her voice trembling with resentment. "You've been making common talk of my affairs?" ■ Garriott leaned against the table, his anus folded, looking soberly at the floor. De Land had taken up a cue, and was examining it in silence. "Even a savage has a code of hospitality," Mrs. Garriott went on. "Do you think it fair—do you think it honourable or decent—what you have'

done to my guest? Is there any excuse for insulting, a visitor in your own house? Haven't you anything to say?" "It seems I've almost said enough," he said slowly. "I don't think there need be anything further. If Mr. De Land understands " "I think I understand. I'm leaving at once," put in the latter, setting down his cue. "If you don't mind, Natalie- " Ho bowed and went toward the door. But she intercepted him. "No, no, Rene, you musn't go. You are to stay here. Tt ? s a matter of pride with me Promise me you won't leave 'The Grange,' " "I don't see very well how " "Promise me—at least, not until tomorrow " But De Land bowed and was gone. Mr Si. Garriott walked over to her husband, pointing to the door through w'oi'b De Land had gone. "That is a gentleman's reply," she said. ! he accent on the word did not escape him, but he let it pass. "There was another reply, a better one —to stay—to eat my bread and salt —and be worthy of it." "You-mean that he " "That he has carried the Avar into my camp, with your permission, with your help." She paled at that. (To be continued.)