Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-28
CHAPTER xxx.

white throng which crowded the
veranda and streamed over the
green lawns. She came up bravely
to meet them, waving her handker-
chief
Good gracious, what lazy peoplel
Really, Irma, if you run away with
my husband like that, | shall be
getting jealous" she exclaimed loud
enough for severalpersons to hear.
rs she going TO fight for him?"
thought lrma. while Apdrew was di-
vided between irritation at an atti-
tude which he knew to be false and
admiration for the gameness with
which she bore it.
well, she stands up to the guns"
he thought gratefully. Under the
merciful shade of the lace sun hat
she wore, he detected the shadows
of a sleepless night. Unaccustomed
to the manners of society, to its
toic etiquet and its hidden sor-
rows, its ambuscades, its treacheries
and its smiling hatreds, it shocked
him profoundly to see the two women
join arms and move into the crowd.
He followed more slowly, revolt
ing at the comedy he saw they
would be forced to play.
rs there an interesting match
on! said Irma mechanically.
Eyes, indeed, Tody and Jap are
playing against the Bartons, one set
all" she answered. The pressure of
Irmas arm burned her. Yet, deter
mined on her role, she said with cal
culated lightness, why all this
mystery, dear? Only too delighted
if you'll wake Andrew up a bit. It's
just what he needs"
Despite the nonchalance of her
words, her eyes fastened eagerly on
Irma, seeking to learn from her ex-
preston the true state of affairs. All
night long, in makeful turning hours,
she had asked herself how far it
had gomez What was she capable
Of? Was it possible that Irma her
self cared; and if she did, what then?
"Of course you'll think I'm fb-
bing," said Irma pleasantly, but it
really was an accidental meeting"
And this going for you this
morning was too, suppose" said
Amy quietly. "Oh, Irma, Irma, at
least play the game"
What was | thinking of to come
here with him?" thought Irma UNI
easily. The ring of emotion in
Amy's voice made her wonder how
far she could truststo the other
breeding-so1ne women would make
nasty scene.
Where is Monte-this morning"
she said pleasantly.
1T is serious. He has told her
everything" Amy thought instantly.
They were by the tennis courts,
picking their way through the crowd
on the lawn to their seats, which
Gladys Challoner was holding for
them. Above, on the elevated stand,
Monte Bracken was refereeing the
match. He looked up, startled, at
their arrival, and then ceremonious-
ly lifted his hat in response to IT.
mas futtered waving.
There" said Amy to herself,
studying the faces which turned
curiously toward them, IF any one
has seen them together, he'll know
now how perfectly Indifferent / am
to what they dc"
She did not see clearly what was
happening on the courts. Iody and
Ian were bouuding about, indulging
in antics which set the crowd in
roars Sf laughter. She saw only the
faces Of Irma and Andrew at her
side and at times, far off as i'll a
mist. the glance of Monte Bracken
turning toward her. When the match
ended and the crowd rose to return
to the verenda, Kitty Lightbody,
| jubliant at the victory OF the boys,
came up rapturously
Wasn't it grand, my dear; was
not Tody just splendid? | won
hundred on them, bless them" She
drew Amy aside and whispered
well, you might thank meF !
Thank you? what do you mean:
said Amy. She was watching lrnla.
For leaving you alone with
Monte, of course" said Kitty. aston
ished
Amy was SO irritated at this I'M
welcome reminder that she lost her
temper.
Kitty. don't be a fool! You
/ know perfectly we'll that I'm exceed
ingly annoyed at what you did"
"Annoyedp said Kitty. so startled
that the china eyes rolled comically,
Certainly annoyed. You made a
very embarrassing situation for me.
The last thing I wanted was to go
home alone with Monte Bracken. /
don't see how you could have been
so thoughtless."
But, my Lord, you needn't be so
fiercel You weren't really alone,
said Kitty Indignantly, And say,