The Washington herald., 1915-01-07

there was no trace of it in her counte-
nance, when Rosa. in wait at the faI
gate, cried to her, You wretch! To
walk! You know I'm dying to tell you
everything"
Get busy" Billy retorted laughing
and linking her arm in Rosa's.
Rosa pressed it, running on, Il dom
know how to begin-except in the mid
die. I'm in love-dead in love with some
| body you never saw-and must SEQ!
lot. You'll help me?"
How" Billy asked.
Rosa looked away. Dams Jealous
Frightfully! Only fancy it, she said.
"So-lm planning a house party-four
girls-the Ralstons besides you and /
and six men. Is that about right?'
Depends on the men," Billy answered
judicially. But don't see how"
Wait! You WILL" Rosa interrupted her
"For-the man is coming-and shall tell
Dan I'm trying to make a match between
you and him.
'T see! You aren't afraid Of me-" Billy
said with a chuckle.
Rosa pouted, II am not afraid Of any,
body-so far as his falling in love except
with me, goes she said. Butt dare
not tell anybody else just how the land
lies-and so-there might be-misunder-
shdHulIlSs. Lawrence Will nave 10 seem
dreadfully devoted-but l hope you can
endure that for my sake"
How about me? Going to insure my
young affections? You know I'm dread
fully susceptible Billy teased
Rosa looked worried. IT know you're
joking she said. "But-Tve thought of
that-thought too how hard It Is going to
be not to show I'm jealOus-even though
know you two are doing just what
intended
Billy loosened her arm and turned to
face Rosa, saying, Count me out, please!
I'll keep your secret for you. But I
won't be party to-treachery. 1t is
treachery-bringing anybody to-Dan's
house this way
''Goosey! You don't think I'm throw
ing over Dan in earnest? Not for a
minute" Rosa protested. 'But-you see
Lawrence and 1 have a real case-he's
no more in dead earnest than I am. We
just want to play the game-the great
big game of love-making until we are
tired Of each other. We may be by time
the house party breaks up-just one fort
night. But-unless We have this chance,
we'l be SO desperate, we may even rush
of and get married-and that would
ruin both Of US"
1T doesn't seem nice to me-this fiirt-
ing with malice aforethought," Billy re-
turned. Don't do it Rose dear-you are
a dear in spite Of all your thorns. I'm
not insensible to the compliment of being
thought perfectly good, safe gooseberry
but this time can't play 1t. II come
to your house party, 1 shall be made
love to by anybody or nobody just as
Fate decrees.'
'Of course you're coming-though I
never dreamed you could be so hateful"
Rosa bewailed.
Billy suddenly laughed outright. Why
she would not say. Rosa puzzled over
the laugh long after Billy had left her
that afternoon-it was so merry-mocking
touched withal with purpose.
The house party turned out to be phe-
nomenally gay, but somehow Billy made
herself the star OF II. Not obtrusively-I
rather she seemed to be pushed into the
limelight by chance. Mr.. Lawrence Cor
don, who at first sight pronounced her
decided next day that she
had a world Of charm. Perhaps because
she beat him at all his own games, ten
MS. bridge, even antIquated croauet-
and strange to relate, in his speciality
yelled Irritation. Ostensibly she passed
him by-but gave him side giances, little
gay speeches and smiles, appeared glad
% sit out his allotted dances, but in no
way showed the least inclination toward
/ monopoly of his fascinating society. II
'he monopolized anybody It was Dan. At
irst Rosa sighed thankfully, feeling that
lfter all, Billy had come thus Indirectly
% her help. But. at the end OF the first |
week, she was almost ready to agree |
With Lawrence when he said, Have you |
hought your friend Billy may be-very |
ieep? That she may be playing a serious |
yame-with your betrothedP'
She wouldn't dare-even II she could |
BRING herself to do II. She is-only help |
ng u.s." Rosa cried, but not with con- |
'iction. Already she had noted how Dan |
lung about Billy-how he smiled at her |
and even talked when the pair was /
'ut Of earshot, but in sight OF the rest. |
She knew Billy was not mercenary. Be-
ides having money of her own she had |
efused the best chance In the country
or no better reason than that he did not |
,lease her. Suppose Dan pleased her?
Women were so queer in their fancies.
Besides, Dan had improved wonderfully
Z late. Since he had put on flesh, and
howed a healthy color he was even dis
inguished looking. She began to con-
ras: him with Lawrence, dark and
uddy, and already limiting at portliness,
hough he had not come 10 thirty. The
contrast was not pleasing-it showed
Ter she had been in danger Of very
'reat folly. Suppose she had been mad
nough to elope with Lawrence! He had
My a small patrimony-hardly enough
o keep him above water until he was
established in his profession.
She began also to watch Billy-nar-
owly. In result midway the second
Eeek, she sought her room at bedtime,
repaired to have II out with her. II
Tas empty-and far down on the terrace.
he caught glimpses of a white frock
nd the glow Of cigar. Billy and Dan
eyond q doubt! Scandalised. she crept
pom them and In safe covert Of shrub
cry heard them chuckling. Dan had :