The Washington times., 1920-04-07
CHAPTER LvII.


TT was q very pale girl who faced
Daniel Rodney as he entered the
library. Her attitude was rigid
"why~--whats ID the snsttexT,Sthe
master Of the house began. then.
at . warning look, changed his
question to-"what is Hugh doing.
sitting up so straight in a chair at
this time of the evening? Usually
you are all in by this hour. my
boy"
Hugh replied without hesitation.
II know it," ne said eagerly. and,
Dad, am feeling a hundred per
cent better than ] have at all since
my accident. This dear girP-mo-
tioning toward the spot where
Ruth stood--'Thas done me all the
good in the world.
"I'm afraid I've been a mighty
crusty customer to you and Laura
for the past two days. But my evil
spirit has left me now"
"Finew his father approved. "But
you have not been ugly, Hugh
only q bit depressed and down. And
that's natural, dear lad"
mo, 1t is not natural" the in
valid contradicted. but I did not
understand how things were until
this evening. I mean--everything
seemed crooked and gloomy. The
evil spirit has been chased away,
and I will not let 1t get the best
OF me again. Just see IL do!
where Is that coffee you were
going to have Hattie make this
EVENING"" the parent demanded, his
face lighting with pleasure as he
noted his boys happy mood. Sup
pose we change the order to choco-
late instead. and then Hugh can
have some"
without waiting for any demur,
he rang for Hattie and gave his
order. Twenty minutes later. when
Laura came upstairs, she found the
trio laughing and chatting over
pot of steaming chocolate and a
plate Of dainty cakes.
well, this does look festive"
she exclaimed. "Oh Ruth, I am
glad I got here before you went
homer
Lsurn Very Happy.
Ruth explained why she had
STAYED so late. AS she talked, she
studied her friends face. Laura's
cheeks were flushed and her eyes
sparkIed. She had never looked
prettier than at this moment.
"Where's your escort" Hugh
asked.
Laura flushed still more deeply.
"Gone home, of course. I did not
suggest his coming in. for I sup
posed everybody was asleep"
"Did you have a pleasant even
ing?" her father queried.
eyes, indeed. A lovely EVENING"
"Then the play was good?" Hugh
suggested. ...
"Why, no-not very-that is
well, we did not think It was very
clever nor well acted" the girl
stammered.
"Yet in spite of that you had a
pleasant cvening-eh. Sis" Hugh
teased.
Ruth came to her friends rescue.
ut is late,r she said, rising.
Mother will be wondering what
has become of me. must be going
home.-
And am promising myself the
pleasure of acting as your escort"
Mr.. Rodney declared.
Protest was useless and Ruth
went into Laura's room to put on
her nat ana coat ei "o''eSS "'
companied her.
"You were good, dear Ruth" she
commented, "to make IL possible
for me to get away this evening.
But for you. would not have been
able TO 60"
"I was glad to come. Ruth re-
piled.
"For that matter. but for you !
would never have known Will Day
ton as well as ! do now" Laura
continued.
Then she stopped. bIushing. Ruth
put her arms about her and kissed
her impulsively.
"IIe Is a good man. Laura" she,
said. 81 am glad you know It,"
"Oh, how dear and understanding
you are" Laura sighed.
Later, on the way home, Daniel
Rodney spoke OF the change In
Huph's appearance.
"Your influence over him is won
u