The Washington times., 1920-07-23
tcontinued from Yesterday

-Steye, you are an ideal sister!
But you know how II is-when a
man has such a lot to think
about"
Il do know! And that is exactly
what / also am determined to
have-a lot 10 think about" Her
color was high and her gray eyes
brilliant
I'm two years you shall see.
shall be an interesting woman TO
you when you come back! 1 vow
and declare shall be interesting
enough TO be friends with you on
equal terms. Wait and see!"
But. Steve" he protested, smil-
ing. yet bewildered by the sudden
nery animation OF the girl. II
never supposed you felt that / con
descended-patro
How could you help it!--s little
fool who doesn't know anything"
She was laughing unnaturally, and
her nervous fingers frightened and
relaxed on his shoulders. But
when you come back after two
years travel, ] shall at least be able
you entertained II you're ILL!
oh. Jim. don't know what I'm say
ing! I'm just heartbroken at going
away from you. You do care a lot
for me, don't your"
"Of course ! do"
And | promise to be a very in
teresting woman when you come
back from abroad. Oh,
dear the train is moving. Good-by,
Jim dearr' She flung her veil aside
and put both slim arms around his
neck In a passion OF alteration and
farewell.
He dropped to the platform from
the slowly moving train and walked
back toward the station. And he
was uneasily conscious, for the flrst
time In his life, of the innocent
abandon of this young girls en-
brace-embar by the softness
of her mouth-impatient OF himself
for noticing IT.
When he arrived at the house
Miss Quests luggage had gone and
that capable and determined lady
was ready TO depart for Bayport In
a large, powerful automobile bear
Ing her monogram. which stood In
front of the house.
"Mr. Cleland," she said, before
] go. have several things to say
to you. One is that l like you"
He Redeemed with surprise, but
expressed his appreciation pleas
antly and without embarrassment
Yes" continued Miss Quest, re-
fiectively, you're much like your
father He and I began our &C
ouaintance by differing; we ended
friends. hope his son and l may
friend shin
II hope So" lie said politely.
Thank you. But the keynote to
friendship is frankness. Shall !
sound it?'
Certainly" he replied smiling.
VERY well: my niece ought TO
have a woman companion when she
returns from college at Easter.
WHY he asked, astonished.
Because she isn't your sister and
she's an attractive girl.
After a silence she went on:
Il know that you and Stephanie
regard each other as brother and
sister. But you're not. And the
world knows it. It's an absurd
world. Mr.. Cleland."
ITS rather a rotten world II
Steve and can't live here alone
together without gossip" he SAID
hotly.
Lets take II as we find 1t and be
practical. Shall l look up a COM
panion for Stephanie, or shall l re-
turn here at EASTER"
He pondered the suggestion.
frowning. Miss Quest said pleas
antly:
please, don't mean to interfere.
You are Of age, and over. But the
world. II II cares to think, will re-
member that you and Stephanie are
not related In two years, when
Won return from Europe, Stephanie
will be twenty and you twenty
four. And, laying aside the sug-
pestion that an older woman's pres
ence might be advantageous under
the circumstances, who Is going TO
control Stephanie"
Control her.?
"Yes, control, guide, steady her
through the most critical period OF
her life?"
The young fellow, plainly uncon-
vinced. looked at Miss Quest out OF
troubled eyes.
come" she said briskly. Tets
have a heart to-heart talk and find
out what's ahead of US. Let's be
business-like and candid. Shall
WEI"
"By all means"
Then we'll begin at the very be-
ginning:
"Stephanie is dear. But she's
very young. And at twenty she
will still be very, very young.
What traits and talents she may
have inherited from a clever, un-
principled father-my own nephew,
Mr.. Cleland Il don't know. God
willing, there's nothing of him in
her-no tendencies toward irregu-