Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-18

Winthrop. L fingered only With the idea OF
being able to help her.
yes she answered. us that you,
Johna Wait up? d. What is
it you want me to sign? :. Oh!' She
held the receiver to her ear a long while;
"Goodby."
"What is it someone wants you to sign?"
Laura wanted to know.
Il don't know" she replied. at was
John. l shall have to wait up and see. y
The tone was casual, so casual that Laura
went back to her room without another
question.
| was just getting into bed when knock
came 1t was not Laura's decisive tap, nor
Celie's inquiring one. threw on a dressing
gown and opened the door. Natalie stood
there, her tall, slim figure gracefully out
lined against the lighted corridor
won't you come in?' | asked mechanic
ally, falteringly. was amazed. What
could have brought her?
"May II" she smiled droopily. mo,
won't sit down." as l snapped on the lights
and indicated chair; a Just want to say
something to you. | couldn't sleep until
did l want / apologize to you, to tell
you that l spoke in haste about that-lost
ruby. I'm sorry. | know you couldn't
possibly l made frightful mistake.
shall also apologize to Mrs. Hazard. Do
YOU believe me?' She suddenly put out
slim hand, and | remembered the time
when | was adrift and that hand had been
a protecting one A little wave of friendli-
ness swept over me.
Eyes, believe you, replied. "You are
very kind to come and tell me So
@Let us be friends, Miss Goldman she
drawled. Her cool hand touched mine. II
think you dislike me; but We'll change that
if you will We missed you tonight. There
wasn't Just the usual cheerful order of
things. Everybody was i'll assorted and
aggressive, argumentative. | hope you will
not be i'll again. We can't spare you. Well,
goodnight" She melted to the door. Il
lost my head this afternoon, or | should
never have said what l did. Do you sin
cerely forgive me?'
"Yes," | replied. Goodnight
She regarded me for a moment through
half closed lids as if had agreed too read
lily; then her lips parted in smile. Good
night she repeated cheerfully.
| crept into bed wonderingly, bewlldered,
and lay there for long time staring wild
eyed questioningly, into the darkness. Why
this apology? What had caused Natalie to
change her mind?
lust how long had been asleep l don't
} know; but | suddenly found myself sit
ting up in bed, conscious that door had
opened and closed, conscious too that some
one was in the room. My hand flew to the
button beside my bed had to know the
extent of my danger!
The lights flashed. The person who stood
there was Hap, blinking in the sudden glare
of the light, looking comically surprised and
rather disheveled in most becoming yellow
dressing gown. The situation would have
been embarrassing if l had not been SO
scared.
Il beg your pardon, he managed to say.
al really beg your pardon
He turned, jerked at the door, and was
gone jumped out of bed, turned the key
in every lock, and sank in heap on the
floor. The day had been too much for me.
Chapter XVII.
THE insistent rattle of gravel on the screen
woke me. | got up, put on my white
flannel, tied the ribbon round my head with
fingers that were far from steady, and picked
up my racket The tennis was going to be a
farce. NV wrists were limp, my shoulders
like lead, my head chaos. Out of the chaos
persisted one thought. But | tried not to
ponder too much on that adventure of the
night before until Hap had had a chance to
explain.