The Washington herald., 1921-04-22
LxxxIx-Two LONELY SOULS.

bAAAIA-N"O boNEbn SOOhos
To Nancys amazement, Connie
sxsrted herself to be nice to DR..
Langwell from the first moment
when he Joined them at the train
gate. She acknowledged the intro
duction with a graciousness usually
foreign in her. and Immediately en-
tered into an engrossing converse
tion which took no cognizance OF
the presence Of Edith, Nancy, or
Maj. Desmond.
The doctor accepted this attention
in a manner which indicated plain
ly that II was his due. and being
customary was not worthy OF note.
In fact. Nancy found wicked de-
light in watching Comics we'll
launched. shafts Of charm natten
heIplessly against the stone wall OF
the doctors indifference. She felt
that IL would be a good lesson to
Connie, who considered herself a
very superior person indea. She
wondered IL. by any chance, Connie
were trying to defect the doctor S
attention from poor weak Nancy to
her much stronger self.
We ought to have a nice trip,
thought Nancy. AN amusing one.
At any rate. And heaven help the
doctor when Connie discovers she
can't subjugate him.!
She bade Edith farewell with
genuine reluctance.
she had become very fond of
Edith during her brief sojourn
there, a fondness which had moth
ing whatever to do with her anec-
tion for the old Edith of boarding
school days. 1t was as though there
were two different women, neither
bearing the slightest resemblance
to the other. but both possessing an
fndehnable something which could
command Nancy's liking and ad-
miration- =,
II had a wonderful time. Edie. "
she said as she lifted her lips for
goodbye kiss.
Edith kissed her with more
warmth than she had shown there
tofore-
you've had a wretched time. you
poIft. little nbberr she corrected.
gently. But you must come again
when we are not stalked by trag-
edy."
s-1Inwardly, Nancy resolved never
again to enter that great gloomy
house whose very atmosphere
chHisA the warm racing blood in her
veins
AIoud she said:
Promise me that you'll come TO
New York, Edie, and come soon
We can have a beautiful time, just
the two OF US, with Gerry away.
Sas stopped aghast before Maj,
Desrnonds peculiar expression.
would she never learn to guard
her tongue when Desmond was
around?
she strove desperately for some
plausible way out Of the dilemma
into which her thoughtless remark
had plunged her, and thereby be-
came more enmeshed in deceit than
before
-Er-the work do for Gerry
takes up so much of my time. It's
-er-research work, you know, in
dusty museums and things, she
murmured vaguely. pinching Edith's
arm violently under cover of her
fur.
Edith was quick to understand,
but she shok her head though she
smiled II was evident that she did
not approve.
IF we're going to get this train,
we'd better be moving" said the
doctor. beckoning a couple of port
ers, and indicating the luggage
Goodbye: see you soon," he said
to Edith. and gave her a perfume
tory kiss on the cheek.
Il seemed to Nancy. looking on,
that Edith was not adroit at con-
cealing her feelings. Her shoulders
dropped tiredly, and the hand she
held out to Connie was utterly list
less.
May 1 drive you home, Mrs.
LangweIl?' asked Maj. Desmond.
MY chauffeur Is waiting. Let me
drop you at the hotel instead. Or"
she added suddenly, why not dine
with me tonight IL you have nothing
else on hand? I shall be very lone
ly with Nancy and Frederick gone"
"I shan be very happy to do so
f.
Desmond glanced inquiringly at
the doctor.
"I haven't the least objection, old
man." the latter assured him. smil-
ingly. But Nancy, noting the quick
CLEAN that crossed his eyes. knew
that he was none too pleased.
tcovynght, is21, BY wAsslr syndie.ts, Inc. !