The Washington herald., 1915-10-23
DAILY SHORT STORY

| there are SO many people in earshot
the sooner this conversation ends the
better"
The conversation ended abruptly
after that. and Jack dug into his desk
with such ferocity that two stenog-
raphers were kept going at a break
neck speed all day Dorothy went out
in the back yard and personally su-
pervised the resetting of tulip bulbs
until noon. and after noon she slept
to make up for the sleeplessness OF
the night before. That evening. as
she went into the big dining-room Of
the Leicester Hotel with the Dun
STAINS and Chester HILL she saw Jack
among a dinner party OF six. which
included a strange blond woman. who
was Identified by Mrs. Dunstan as the
young widow of Hiram Ward. the
brewer.
The interest Of Dorothy and Chester
Hill in each other had seemed to grow
steadily since that evening. nd Jacks
apparent interest in the young widow
had kept pretty good pace with theirs.
so that on the day they all appeared
on the country clubhouse porch. Dor
othy and Jack had drifted well apart
without a full explanation having
been given her. She knew that she
had Intentionally made 1t impossible
for Jack to explain fully. yet she felt
hurt at his failure to do so; he knew
that so long as his explanation was
withheld she was justified in thinking
him a detestable cad. yet he was so
anGered at her arrogant manner to-
ward him and her acceptance OF Ches-
ter Hills attentions that he delayed
his explanation.
1t remained for fatuous Percy An
son. who had unwittingly caused the
trouble. to set things right. Just as
Chester Hill was called to the tele-
phone, Percy came along the porch
arm in arm with srouchy Henry Ard
more. head OF the firm Of brokers to
which Jack had long sought admission
as a member of the partnership. At
the same time Jack and Mrs. Ward /
came up the front steps. and. without !
knowing of Dorothy's presence. went I
around to that side Of the porch.
"Heigho. Mrs. Ward" called Percy, /
old boy: Ardmore has just been telling /
me about your adoption into the firm. /
4 well merited compliment, I have no I
doubt" And Percy laughed heartily at /
his little joke.
BY the way. Elliott" said Ardmore .
bluntly. my sister writes me that you |
are all sorts OF q brick: says her hus-
begin scheminS to get you for her sec
ond husband" Then. turning TO Mrs. (
Ward. he added in explanation: My ,
sister was compelled to be here several !
hours between trains a month or so
ago on her way TO some jumping off !
place where her husband had been in
jured in railroad wreck. and as II
was laid up with the grip Elliott was
good enough to help me out by taking
care OF her until her train left"
And he didn't toll me a thing
about II ALL pouted Mrs. Ward smil-
ngly.
He didn't have 10 tell me. for
,an prove by Dorothy that ! told her
about seeing him at the Dinsmore with
a stunning blond. Eli. Dorothy" The
smiling Percy blandIy drew Dorothy
INTO the conversation.
Now. Percy. don't expect me to re-
member all the things you ever told
ne Confdentially." Although Dorothy
aughsd lightly and looked straight at
Percy as she replied. she gave to Jack
the ieetinE end Of a glance into
which she put an expression of such
oenitent understanding that he knew
he laundering Percy had brought
IboUt the explanation so long delayed
md so naturally supplied by Dorothy's
maGination- Somehow. in .-oing into
he clubhouse a moment later to see
newly decorated room which Ches-
ter Hill called TO them to come and ad-
nlre, ArdmorC led the way. followed
" Percy and the widow. leaving Dor
'thy and Jack together in the rear.
Dorothy. l know ] don't deserve to
,e forgiven for delaying an eNplana-
ion you were entitled to a month ago.
,ut-
But because 7 listened to Percy's
sossip and wouldn't listen to your at
empted explanation. l didn't deserve
o know the truth" Dorothy looked
way before she blushingly added:
Then. of course. when I saw you so
'ften with Mrs. Ward. 1 thought she
vas the blond he hid seen you with"
And / suppose you thought her mil
ions had lured me. just as / was be-
thinning to think Chester Hills had
ured you. Dearest, we don't want to I
ee those old decorations: let's stay !
ut here and see the sunset" But if ;
hey saw much OF the sunset they
must have seen IL reflected in each $
'ther's eyes. for they seemed to find 1
othing OF interest anywhere else. '
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