The Washington herald., 1921-04-14
Lxxxn-THE INEVITABLE
CRISIS.

CRISIS.
DR.. Langwell was looking into the
IRE and did not notice that Nancy
had picked up the handkerchief.
She was able. therefore, to study II
surrsptitiously.
It'was SMALL glove handker-
chief Of exquisitely nne fabric-and
to Nancy's discerning eye the EN-
broidered initials were the handi-
work of clever French fingers.
A handkerchief Is as indicative
of character as handwriting, and
Nancy put the owner Of this lost
tribe as a woman of taste and cul5
ture, not to mention means
She crushed the little square OF
linen into a ball in the palm OF her
hand without the doctors noting II.
Idly she began to speculate on those
initials, "E. D." Undoubtedly they
belonged to the veiled woman whom
she had seen leaving the doctors
study.
Nothing remarkable or mysterious
In that, she thought, even IL the
hour were somewhat late Tor
patient to be calling.
Had there been something vague
" familiar in the woman's carriage
For some strange reason the name
Dean" came suddenly to her mind.
accompanied by a swift vision of
the nurse who had come to "Loiter
Long" to take charge of Fleurette.
Nancy wondered il her initials
we're "E D." II so, why should
she =. come veiled to the doctors
study7 Had a nurse not the right
to walk boldly and openly into
doctors office at any hour of the
day or night? Nancy. remembering
that the hospital had denied send
ing a nurse to the Langwells, and
recalling also Miss Deans curious
behavior at her first sight of her
patient. scented more than mere in
trigue in the presence of the doc
tors mysterious visitor.
She looked at Langwell standing
before the fire, one arm propped
against the mantel, a hand thrust
comfortably into his pocket. He
was smiling a little, the compsacent
smile which always made Nancy
long to direct a blow at his colos-
sal egotism. She noted the lines Of
cruelty about his mouth, the SEN
yual thickness of his lips. and, Won
iered how Edith. the fastidious,
Gould love him so devotedly. Was
I that compelling magnetism which
she herself felt occasionally and
which made her almost afraid to
Dc alone with him?
without turning his head or
ylaueing At Nancy, he said amusedly:
Well? Do I pass the test?"
How do you know that I was
lOohing at yeu?" asked Nancy in
IUrprisc.
DO you think l can ever be in
woman | could feel your glance in
,vcry fiber of my being"
Nancy rose without a suggestion
,f haste. She felt that retreat was
he better part of valor at this mo-
nent.
Going so soon?" inquired the doc
.Or. Il thought you might wait up
Until Edith returned and we could
rave bite of supper"
Thanks, but I'm not hungry
,nIy absurdly and automatically
Ileepy."
She feigned a little yawn and
moved languidIy from the fire.
His fingers closed suddenly on her
wrist drawing her gently. but none
he less firmly. back to her chair.
You're a pretty thing when you're
'leepy," he said softly. Your eyes
ire very dark and mysterious, and
Tour mouth is as soft as a child's." t"
Nancy essayed a little laugh and
ried to extricate herself. unostenta-
iously, from his grasp, but he. too.
Rughed a low. slurring chuckle, and.
Iending down, kissed her full upon
he lips.
With a little gasp, Nancy wrenched
lerseh free, and turning on him
'uriously. struck him with all the
,orce of her clenched hand squarely
N his smiling complacent mouth.
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