The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-08
CHAPTER Xiv.
AURA RODNEY started in as

- when the maid informed her
that the two Miss Courtneys were
in the drawing-room.
II will be right down." she said.
She did not pause to consider
whether she wished to met Doris
Courtney or not. Her first duty
was to Hugh.
So she greeted both girls pleas
antly. much to Doris relief. At
the last moment Hugh's fiancee
wondered how Laura was going to
behave to her.
Perfectly we'll. of course" Ruth
had said.
1t was Ruth who, briefly and in a
matter-of-fact way, explained the
present conditions.
There is a certain song that
Hugh wants to hear. and as l do
not know it. Doris has come to sing
1t to him. For this short time I
may be myself, you see"
Laura smiled. The situation was
grotesque, but II was the only way
out Of difficulty.
Let us go right up to Hugh" she
suggested. II will run on ahead
and tell him that you are both
here"
Hugh" the girls heard the sis
ter say as they followed her into
the library, Ruth and Doris have
both come to call on you. Isn't
that nice?"
If there was a shade of disap-
pointment on the blind mans face.
1t was gone in an instant.
'Good-afternoon." he said, stand
ing up and facing the door. ut is
kind OF you both to come"
Ruth Came Forward.
Doris hung back for a moment
but Ruth stepped promptly for
ward. Her manner was of the
same unsentimental variety as on
the last occasion that Doris was
here.
Hello, Hugh!' she said heartily.
grasping his outstretched hand. Il
have come to make you a brief call.
l insisted that Doris let me accom-
pany her. She says she Is going
to sing for you. But nevertheless
1 forced my company upon her
and you"
at is kind of you to care about
coming, Ruth" Hugh said cour-
teously. Then-"Where is Doris?"
At a glance from her sister the
older girl advanced. In the pres
ence of Ruth and Laura she was
ashamed to show herself shrinking
from the task she had to perform.
She told herself that she had
been a heroine to come today-and
she would prove to Laura Rodney
that she was one.
Here am, Hugh" she said
gently, laying her hand in his.
She WINGED at the grasp that
pressed the ring she wore deep into
the flesh Of her third finger.
"oh" she gasped.
81 beg your pardon, dear" he
whispered, II did not mean to hurt
you"
He held her hand for a long mo-
ment as IL waiting for her permits
sion to kiss her. Ruth relieved the
awkwardness OF the position by
asking brusquely:
"Are you and Hugh going to talk
FIRST, or have the song first?"
"Why-why-" Doris began whom
Laura interrupted with
Let us wait for the song until
Doris gets her breath after her
walk. Then, as I have to go out. I
will depart and leave you two girls
too look after Hugh"
Doris Backs Ont.
I'VE can stay only a short WHILE
Ruth interposed. Don't forget that,
Doris-if you are going with me-"
"Ah, Ruth" Hugh begged. Don't
take her away with you, please!
She usually stays quite a while
don't you, Doris?"
Yes" Doris admitted family. But
I cannot today, Hugh. Ruth wants
me to make a call with her"
you can have your talk together
now II you want it," Ruth said
bluntly, moving over to the other
side OF the room with Laura. Then
Doris con sing her little song before
we leave"
How unfeeling her words sound
ed! She hated hersclf--yet she must
play her part-for she was well
aware that Doris would not consent
to remaining here without her.
Hugh lowered his voice when he