The Washington herald., 1921-03-11
LIn-An Exhibifion Of Nerve.

An awkward silence greeted DR..
Langwelrs studiedly careless re-
mark:
Funny thing her babbling about
a chap with my Manner
Everyone seemed to be waiting
Tor someone else to speak.
what courageT thought Nancy,
looking at the doctor with unwil-
ling admiration. 'T wonder IL he
thinks he can get away with it?"
The doctor, looking across his
highball glass. encountered her
gaze. but his own remained calm
and unperturbed. He seemed not
at all disturbed by the knowledge
that two people in that room had
seen him lunching with the pretty
modiste only two days before.
Curtis Stanley. never to be ac-
cused of sublety at his best. and
failing utterly to sense something
In the wind. inquired curiously.
What's 1t all about. anyway?
Did I miss something when 1 went
after the carr"
To Nancy's amusement. the doctor
calmly related the Incident of the
girls recovered CONSEQUENCES and
her murmured: "Oh Freddie, I'm so
glad it's your'
20 Stanley blinked stupidity and
asked:
who's Freddie, anyway
The doctor lit q cigar.
Husband probably.
Fleurstts is not married" put in
The doctor shrugged.
Surely. my dear Edith, you can't
pretend to know all about the pri-
vate life of your dressmaker. That
type is generally supporting a
worthless husband and a couple of
Children"
"Fleurette is not married" re-
peated Edith stubbornly.
The Doctor shrugged resignedly.
sweetheart then, / dare say"
There was another silence.
.-."Darned good looking girl" said
Stanley heavily. Must have a lot
cf chaps hanging around. Wouldn't
think she'd bother with that scared
rabbit who wrecked the car"
"oh. he's probably got money" said
the doctor. That would account for
lis fear Of the accident becoming
public. Good chance for a damage
,spit-''
around here gossiping about that
poor girl when she's upstairs suf-
,fering," declared Nancy.
i II quite agree with you" said
Edith. rising. 'If you will excuse
me. I will go and see II there is
anything 1 can do"
You needn't trouble" put in the
doctor hastily. She is resting cas-
iiy-I gave her a sedative."
Edith left the room without
answering.
The doctor looked after her a mo-
sment. then got up quickly and fol-
lowed.
Nancy wondered II he were afraid
to leave her alone with the injured
girl.
Again Nancy was left with Des-
mond and Stanley-and awkward
silence She was just about to ex-
euse herself on the pretext of a
nap. when Desmond got up. mur-
muring something about going to
look for the missing culprit.
TIL bet he's blown"' laughed
Stanley. He was just waiting for
chance to make for cover. One
Of US ought to have gone along to
see that he didn't skip"
Il hope he has gone for good"
-shuddered Nancy 'Of all the un-
pleasant Iittie beastsr
When Desmond had gone out. she
turned to Stanley without prelim-
mary:
'well, you have done II! And af-
ter all I've gone through for you
and Connie! n nice return you
make for my playing up to your
practical joker
Il Stanley stared at her vacantIy.
what the devil are you talking
about?"
Nancy sprang up in evaporation.
'Oh," she breathed, Curtis. you
are unbearable! Don't you remem-
ber what you said to Mai. Desmond
when he told you he had asked me
to marry him? You laughed as
though it was the funniest thing in
the world, and you said: oh boy. il
YOU only. knew What do, you
suppose he thinks?"
"wen, isn't it the funniest thing
In the world?" inquired Stanley
with a reminiscent grin. His pro-
posing to you when you're mar
ried to old Gerry?"
do you suppose for an instant
that can explain-now?" cried
Nancy. with helpless gesture.
sAnd II i don't explain, Desmond
will be thinking - impossible
things.''
! Stanley chuckled and settled down
comfortably in his chair.
That's one of the penalties you
must pay for borrowing husbands"
fcapvrxht. 1871, By Wheeler syndicate)