The Washington herald., 1907-12-28
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

no doubt folks viii be swltchbacked to
here and there and home again; but ]
hate experiments am a little too old for
them-and the best car that is made Is
only a thing on trial, you know"
She helped, Camilla to slip out Of the
big coat.
Fortunately. you were well wrapped
up she sad But what a weight this
coat is. Camilla How can you walk in
it at all? When did you get it? I have
not seen it beforel"
'oh, haven't you? But surely. Agnes,
you must have seen it?" queried Mrs.
Lancing. in a tone Of very real aston
ishment. why, have had it ages;
got it at Veronique sale. 1t was alb
surdly cheap"
She told these various untruths quite
glibly, and then made haste to get away
from the subject
She was not a little afraid Of Mrs.
Brenton at times. although, indeed. she
would have been singularly ungrateful-
and Camilla was never ungrateful-if
she had not realized that in this old
friend-one who had known her when
she was a mere child-she had a stanch
and loving ally-a friend who I'm sick
ness and in health gave her almost an
anxious affection, and whose curiosity to
know what was passing with her arose
from the best motives. But Camilla al
ways dreaded being compelled to answer
questions. or having TO give an account
OF herself; she was so weary OF having
good advice given her
OF what use, so she argued u her
self. would IL be 10 let Agnes know how
worried she was, and into what a hope
less muddle her pretty feet had strayed? ?
If she could help me II would be
different, but Agnes can't help me-" she
said 10 herself: and she would only
worry and think the end Of all things
had come If / We're TO tell her how I
stand just now. And then she would
scold, and talk about the future SOL
EMMY, and oh. I know i should scream
if she started the old discussion to-
night; my nerves are all on wires. II she
had the power to do anything IL would
be another matter. but / suppose a five
pound note would be about the utmost
poor old Agnes could produce in an
emergency" And Camilla shrugged her
shoulders. just before leaving town for
Yelverton she hs,d spent her last avail
able five pounds at a hairdresser's, while.
at the same time. a writ for the sables
she had worn so becomingly that day
had been sent to her by registered post
that morning.
She threw of her hat and veil.
Il am rather anxious. Agnes" she
said. II have had no letter from nurse
to-day"
Mrs Brenton took the bait instantly.
Anxious? What about? There is no
need TO fuss yourself nurse never does
write freely"
-she promised faithfully to send me
word every day." said Mrs. Lancing, half
fretfully.
well. look here. III go and telephone
through for YOU" said the other wom-
an; with just a little luck ! shall find
the line clear. The rush IS of about
this time. as a rule"
Mrs. Lancing had slipped from her out
door clothes into very pretty dressing
gown by the time the telephone con-
versation was at an end.
Everything is all right" Mrs Brenton
announced. cheerily The children are
just gone TO bed. They have been very
good, and are quite well"
i miss them dreadfully," said Camilla.
and her voice broke a little. Turning.
she picked up two photographs that were
on the dressing table, and kissed them
passionately
Miss them!" said Mrs Brenton, IN
her brisk way. Il should think you
did, Dear little souls, I can't think why
on earth you didn't bring them with
you; there are heaps OF rooms, and chill
dren are never a bother TO me. as you
know. Well, now, III trot away again.
1 expect you feel thoroughly tired out.
Camilla Dinner viii be half an hour late.
so yOu can take IL easy NVhv Hopt4 ~,
have forty winks? That is a heavenly
chair for a snooZe-
Mrs. Lancing was already crouched up