The Washington herald., 1921-03-26
LxyI-A STRANGE MESSAGE.

Nancy sat staring thoughtfully at
Desmond's brief message:
Il am waiting for my answer"
shs felt both relief and embar-
rassment.
1t meant that the young officer
had decided to overlook the unfor-
tunate innuendo of Curtis Stanley's.
and would never ask for an ex-
PLANTATION. That was relieving!
But 1t also meant that his pro-
possl of marriage would have to be
answered.
II would be easy to say: Il can't
marry you. I don't love you" but
Nancy. recalling that big masterful
young man and the determination
Of his pursuit since their meeting
at the Stanley dinner party. realized
quite clearly that he <as not to be
easily discouraged by such a re-
fusal.
He-would likely say, in answer er
her protest: VERY well. / will
teach you to love me. claim the
right to be given an opportunity"
To tell him that she could not
marry him because her husband
was only temporarily absent. not
dead, as he had been given to un-
derstand by Connie and Curtis. was
too ridiculous to consider, now that
the affair had progressed so far.
j She sighed deeply and looked up
from the letter, spread open in her
lap.
With a start she realized that DR..
Langwell had been coolly reading
every word of the brief message.
Before his significant smile she
flushed furiously. both with embar-
rsssment and anger. that he had
dared to read her letter over her
shoulder.
rs the major an ardent corre-
spondent?' he asked teasingly.
You should know" she replied
with spirit.
Edith had trailed away to the
grand piano at the end of the room
and was playing soft chords, which
gradually merged into the Der
ceuse."
Langwell bent over Nancy.
II think / could write you ardent
letters. You have a curious way
of making one feel exceptionally
brilliant and pleased with him
self"
Il thought that was your usual
state of mind"
He ignored the thrust and went
on:-
Il can think of clever things to
say when am with you 1t makes
you a dangerous woman"
Nancy returned to her letters as
though she were a bit bored.
Edith is far cleverer than land
much more stimulating. Sheds that
rare creature so fatal to men; a
good listener"
DO you know wherein lies your
particular charm?" the doctor asked.
ARA you dissecting me?" in
quired Nancy with a careless shrug.
He ignored the question.
TT is your maddening indiffer-
ence. You lure, you challenge, you
defy man to do something, to say
something, to destroy that perfect
poise."
Il wonder IL it is real?" he said
speculativelN "or whether it is only
a clever mask you wear to hide the
vibrant creature underneathT
Nancy's brows raised.
is 1t the small-boy instinct to
tear of butterfly wings that makes
you discuss me in this fashion7 Or
He made no reply for a moment.
then he said slowly:
"Yes: you're clever! And you're
dangerous! wonder what life
holds in store for you and me? For
surely II is going to mean some-
thing to us together. 1t is in the
Bosk of Fate"
Nancy sprung up with a gay little
laugh, gathering together her scat
tered Ietteers.
frHow unoriginal! All men make
that same observation at one stage
OF each Irritation. The Book of
Fate must have an unabridged edi-
tion."
She joined Edith at the piano.
-You still play beautifully. Edith.
les the first time I've heard you
since. ] came to visit"
Edith looked up with a smile.
Z can only play when I am hap
py," she said simply, and went on
weaving soft harmonies with her
white fingers
Her maid came in with a slip of
paper on a salver.
For Mrs. Burrard. 1t lis a tele-
gram phoned from town"
Nancy opened it curiously and
reads
MY poor Nancy. I have Just
heard Ny heart aches for you. Am
leaving for Chicago at once. Be
brave. CONNIE"