The Carlisle independent., 1915-01-21
CHAPTER XIV.
Surprised.

SdI Pt iSCo.
 The inadvertent use of Brands name did not give Dick the surprise he feigned. AS Mrs Collins went out he looked at Jane in a startled sort of way and she advanced to him.
 You heard?" she said.
 "Of course I heard"
 Well what about it?" she asked. defiantly.
 You take my question out of my. mouth, Jane. That is what was won dering. What about it?"
 Her eyes flashed. Again she was very beautiful and again there ap- peared that queenly bearing that be- spoke dominant spirit and made her words superfluous.
 Dick" she said, you and I have been good friends. I hope that we shall remain so. But this is my affair. This isn't the first time that Brand has been here"
 q met him once"
 But I mean since then. He's been here several times"
 T know that, too," the reporter an- swered calmly. But I'm sorry he's coming today"
 Sorry? Why should you be sorry? You have some perverted idea of why he comes-and what he's doing. Why don't you express it?"
 T haven't qualified as a moral cen sor as yet, Jane. You say I have some idea of why Brand is coming. Yes, I have an idea, but I have no knowl- edge. I tell you I have known that he has been coming and without Bob's knowledge" He stepped forward and took her hand. Jane, I've been-well, not extremely happy, but I haven't inflicted my grief on you or anybody else"
 Certainly not" she answered az gressively. There's no reason why you should Mr Brand has as much right to be here as you or anyone else"
 He dropped her hand and smiled little sadly as he answered.:
 "I'm afraid that is little unworthy of you. I am here at the standing in- vitation of the Reynolds; not lately re- newed on your part, to be sure, but quite recently on Bobs. That's why Pm sorry; sorry for him and you and perhaps for your prospective guest. Though don't believe" he added quickly. T shall shed any great Quan- tity of tears on his account. Bob's coming home early. That's why I'm here. He asked me to meet him here at three o'clock"
 He took out his watch.
 Its quarter past three now" he said. What time are we likely to have the pleasure of MT. Brands com- pany?"
 Any minute" Jane answered coolly. He should be here now" She cast bored look of ascetic elegance at Dick, as if to say: ''Is there any req son why he shouldn't be my guest If choose to have him?" But the glance was lost on Dick, or he pre- ferred to ignore 1t. He dropped his sapient air for an expression of real alarm. Impulsively he took her hand again. She made as If to withdraw it, but the reporters grasp was firm.
 "Jane!" he exclaimed Bob mustn't see Brand here. I am not questioning you or your motives, but know Bob'A feelings toward that man and know that Brand can't be here with his knowledge" He turned quickly toward the table for his hat. "Ill get out and stop him." he said. Tell Bob W. here if he comes first. He might see me. I'll say I was down to the Ger mans"
 The reporters mind worked rapidly. He started hurriedly to the door.
 "Wait!" Jane ordered You'll do of the sort. I'll attend to this thing myself. MT. Brand wouldn't pay any attention to you in the first place and in the second I don't want to stop his coming here. Bob has got to know sooner or later and 1t might as well be today. Whatever you may think, I've done nothing that I'm