The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-16

What on earth would he have thought if we'd driven off without him?"
 Natalie swung round in her seat and the quick blood mounted to her forehead.
 For standing half hesitantly at the exit of the station, was Maurice Danby.
 She had not seen him since Galts painful revelations. Mir. Ducane had sent his secretary immediately to New York, without giving Natalie chance at explanation or excuse.
 This fact made the meeting doubly awkward. Templeton waved beckoning hand, and Danby came slowly over towards the vehicle.
 T cant be unselfish, and let you have this seat beside our hostess" laughed the former. in great good humor. Jump up, Danby. We'd al most forgotten you"
 Natalie mumbled some incoherent greeting. So nervous was she that her voice sounded cool and indiffer- ent.
 Maurice climbed up to the rear, the groom followed him, and the dog cart sped away at a brisk pace.
  with you" announced the dark eyed bachelor, inl a stage whisper that was of curiously carrying quality, and which Maurice and the groom could not possibly fail to hear. He edged closer to the pretty driver. Honest to- goodness. Natalie the moment l went off in the car yesterday with that pestering chap, I regretted it.. I'd so much rather have been here with you" These fessions-rendered in none too low homemade the young girl doubly nervous. Templeton was charming. in his way, but quite unsnubbable.
 Now, tell me all that you've been doipg2" The speakers tone was pos sessive, as though he had a definite right to know Tt does seem ages since I saw you last Have you real ly missed me2"
 "s-shw Natalie gave a quick, backward glance in the direction of Maurice and the groom.
 "Oh, they can't hear. Besides, even if they did, it wouldn't matter fright fully, would it?''
 The girl giggled nervously. She was unstrung. and this sort of thing was the last straw. What i'll fate
  prietary manner?
 over her shoulder she glimpsed Matrices elean-cut profile. set like steel.
 The road they journeyed over was particularly beautiful
 It twisted up hill and down dale across fields that were ablaze with late summer flowers, and through fragrant pine woods that cast sof. shadows.
 But Natalie was glad when this camp at last appeared in sight.
 She drove up In grand style, and halted, at the front door. which stood hospitably open,
 A stable boy appeared miraculous ly and went to the horses head, while Templeton helped the girl to de- scend.
 He did not loose his hold on her arm after she had reached terra firma.
 Let's go straight in to Uncle Fred erick," he said playfully, and am nounce that the prodigal has re- turned"
 Natalie made move as though to draw her arm away from him. Mr. Templeton was jolly. and rather Bo- hemian in his ways, but she had never known him to act like this before, It was peculiarly unfortunate in view of her feelings toward Maurice Danby.
 Templeton. however. did not take the hint.
 With a sort of jazz step, he piloted the girl through the big. open door way, and frolicsomely pulled her across the wide, dim hall. "The prodiga1 has returned,' he continued gaily. 1T wish you'd let me go. What on earth will the servants think? MT. Danby must imagine we're quite mad" said Natalie in an annoyed tone.
 Huh? What does it matter? Danby's nice chap. but he won't set the Hudson on fire. will he?'
 Unfortunately Maurice overheard this candid statement. It did not serve to make him feel that his wei come at camp was any warmer. :.
 Could You tell me where MT. Du- cane is?" he asked a servant.
 Natalie swung around. She drew herself definitely away from Tenn pleton.
 Uncle is resting in his room. He left word that he didn't wish to be disturbed till it was time to dress for dinner. If there's anything that I can do-"
 She paused. Ah If only she could see Maurice by herself, alone. ..
 As though he had read her thought, MT. Templeton withdrew. Maurice and Natalie were for the moment tete-a-tete.
 Shyness and a feeling that he wasn't wanted here made the former curt in speech and action.
 No. there's nothing you can do, thanks. I'll go up to my room and wait until MT. Ducane is ready 10 see me-"
 He moved toward the staircase.
 "Oh, but you must have some tea It's been ordered tor Mir. Templeton. and is ready now. We didn't know that you were coming"
 Thanks, I don't wish any tea" Matrices tone said. quite clearly
 rye no wish to intrude."
 He walked briskly up the stair case. and turn in the gallery above hid him from sight.
 Natalie felt as though she had 1e- ceived stinging slap in the face.
 She stood there in the hall, staring into vacancy
 Of course this was exactly what she deserved, she told herself. Mau- rice was an upright fellow, and the shock of learning of her deception had proved too much for him. He despised her. He was going to let her see he did Also. he thought she was encour-