The Washington herald., 1910-12-05
By GELETT burgess:

the perfume Of the hundreds OF rose
bushes In front of the house, and then
back, quite tuned up for any emergency.
Leah had not yet appeared, so I went
into the music room which opened from
the hail. opposite the library. Here fur
Their evidence OF Miss Fielding's taste
was apparent though, except, perhaps, for
my own chamber. 1t was the most formal
room in the house with as fine a collec-
ton of Chippendale, Sheraton, and Hep
pelwhite furniture as / have ever seen,
and a ceiling plainly replica of Adams.
The room. in fact, was almost Ike one
of those chambers in show places whose
entrances are roped off with crimson
cords. | felt that ! Oughtnt TO be sur
prised If. on approaching the harpsiehord
in the corner, found upon it printed
card with the legend: Defense de
TOUGHER"
While I was looking about. ] heard
IAah's footsteps hurrying down the
stairs. I turned and waited for her, and
my glance must have spoken as plainly
as any words, for as soon as she saw
me she said
IT'S the other one Mr.. Castle. She's
up. now. She's telephoning 10 the doc
tor"
How is she?'' I asked.
shes fresh and we'll enough but she S
| in a bad temper I had an unpleasant
scene with her. She wanted TO know
why was here and I told her what you
/ said-that YOU had met me and asked me
( to come back with you Then she quoted
down a little. and asked me when you
came and how long yOu were going 70
stay. She seemed TO be glad that you
were here. and It paclfed her. but I'm
awfullv afraid that she'll send me away
again.
Don't lose courage" said. IF she's
! glad 10 see me. that's a good sign. and II
will make il easier for me- But We
mustn't seem 20 be plotting here together
4 II won't DO 70 arouse her suspicious
whatever we do You leave il 10 me
and sheer up
With that, I walked into the library
and waited II was not long before
/ heard Miss Fielding's door open ane
heard her whistling as she came rolliek
/ ing down the stairs
These noises, so thoroughly ASSOCIATED
from my idea of JOY herself. created an
consciously a mental impression. an eK
pectation that. without thinking or TIT
absurdlty OF II, quite unpTepared me fol
the sight OF her when she appeared,
don't quite know what ] did expect
something a bit unfamiliar, unnatural,
suppose-but what 7 saw was. OF course
only the Miss Fielding I had always seen
pretty. slender, exquisite, the sam'
brown-eyed. dark haired creature as ever
al first glance the same woman whom
had left the night before, only now re
freshed and fun OF life. IL gave me
distinct shock At second glance, II 4
true. there were almost undefnable. ye
perfectly distinguishing marks OF tn
new personaIity-Of Edna; and as 1 note'
them-the carelessI rs OF her hair. he
dlated pupils. the rolled-up sleeves Of he
shirt waist. the 0dOr Of Santal. and abov
al a refreshing y0uthfulness-I adjuste'
myself quickly 90 the situation
She came forward With a swinging stTid
and her hand held out IN jovial welcome
smiling Her grip was like a mans. a
she said. Isn't IL dear OF you 20 com
down and see me, Chef, I was afrai
that you'd got enough Of me before an
wouldn't ever want 10 come back again
I've missed you aWfully. Sure. / have.
She kept the hand I gave her an
swung IL playfuly. I said something
about the automobile,
II hope you can stay q while, nov
you've come" she went on. There ar
all sorts of things we can do, now your
well, you know. Is your rib all right
now? Can l hug you, II I want TOT
She laughed frankly az me.
Il want 10 talk to you about Leah.
said IN hope youu forgive my tax
ing the liberty OF bringing her back, bu