Putnam patriot., 1912-08-02

I manager.
 Stanton was recalling that interview ] as he went up the stairs of the quiet apartment house indicated. After all, 1t was true that Floyd might have volunteered his address, himself, If he had wished 1t known. Perhaps he | did not want to see his driver unoffl- | cially A sense of unwelcomeness op- l pressed Stanton, but he kept on his way. He had never sweryed from a course because of the opinions of others; he did not think of turning back now
 Some one was singing. as he reached | the fourth floor: singing in a smooth. l honey-rich. honey-golden contralto. i Warned of his approach by the bell | pushed below, the door of the apart ment was opened. so that the melody came flooding his hearing with it's haunting familiarity. A little old 1 Irishwoman in black silk was peering up at the tall visitor on the threshold 'Mr Floyd?" he inquired My name Is Stanton.
 The old servant drew back, smiling invitation, and pushed aside cur tain. And Stanton saw Jessica Floyd rise from her seat at the piano, talk ing a step to meet him. She was so like Floyd that he could have cried out in wonder. yet was most purely and softly feminine. She seemed taller, In her clinging pale blue gown, and even more slender, but Floyd's silvergray eyes looked out from her long lashes, Floyd's bronze curls clustered around her wide brows. under the braids wound about her head, and her smile was a more timid reflection of the incarnate sun- shine of his.
 "I am sorry Jes is not at home" she said, holding out her hand with a nat. ural grace of hospitality that rose above her nervous shyness. T am Jessica Floyd. MT. Stanton. his sis ter"
 She was afraid of him. The too ob- vious fact struck deep into Stanton. as he felt her fingers fiutter in his clasp. So this was the reputation he had earned for himself!
 Perhaps I should not have come" he apologized quite humbly. "I- Floyd gave me no warrant for 1t. But he was very good to me, when l was sick In Lowell, and l wanted to thank him"
 She looked at him fully, then, and again he could have cried out at the ,f at afyh candor of regard
 Why should you not come? Jes has not so many friends that they are not welcome in his home. Only, if he had known of your coming, be would have been here"
 She moved to a chair, inviting him by a gesture to do likewise, and took up halfembroidered silk scarf.
 "He was called out of town" she added, after waiting for her silent guest to speak. He will be sorry to have missed you. From MT. Green he learned that you had quite recovered, after he left you"
 And he? I hurt his arm"
 She glanced up astonished.
 "You hurt his arm 2"
 'I was driving the car" Stanton assumed grim responsibility.
 This time she laughed, two adorable dimples starting into view in her cheeks of glowing rose-and-amber velvet; not the complexion of blonde beauty, nor of a brunette, but some happy intermediate tint that presup- posed flawless health and much sun light. Stanton had never observed any dimples about his mechanician.
 T am certain Jes never thought of that standpoint. He said turn and tire were to blame. But his arm is almost well"
 She spoke so lightly, with so much of Floyd's own nonchalant accept ance of incidental mishaps, that Stan ton was surprised into indiscretion.
 You do not worry about him?" he questioned. You are not nervous about his racing. and racing with mel"
 Her lashes fell, her face grew seri- ous
 If anything happens to Jes. I will die too," she slowly answered. We are-twins. No, I do not worry. Be- sides, I grew up used to seeing Jes in danger; he told you of his life with father?"
 Yes"
 Well, he never had time to be afraid, or to be afraid for him. You can not be afraid of things you have been doing or seeing done ever since you could understand at all. As or dinary babies are taken out in car riages, Jes was taken out in fast motor-cars. My father could not bear him out of his sight; when Jes was in kilts. he was taken to the factory each day to amuse himself among the workmen and machines"
 Profoundly interested, he studied her.
 And you. Miss Floyd? What did you do7"
 'I?" she turned aside her head, her full. firm young mouth slightly com pressed When I was fourteen, I said to my father. one morning, Dad dy, what is to become of Jessica? Jes Is learning all he needs to be a man; how is Jess sister to learn to be a woman? And he answered me frankly, Jessica, I do not know. You have no kinswomen. and I could not endure a stranger in your mothers house. You will have to let Jes be wise for both. except for your nurses woman-teaching.' So I-did. Jes is Jes and Jessica for both. You are the first visitor who ever followed him here. and the first ever received in New York We are like no one else in the world, I believe"