The Washington herald., 1921-03-14

Nancy stared at DR.. Langweli
in an distracted fashion. Her
thoughts were far from .Loiter
Long for the moment, and she
met his amused comment regard
ing herself and Maj. Desmond with
something approaching q frown.
Before her silence. his compla-
cent smile vanished. He was not,
accustomed to abstraction In women
whom he addressed,
He stood beside her, gazing out
aeross the twilit lake. his fingers
impatiently drumming q tattoo on
tbs window glass.
sSSuflkingr' he asked finally.
"A little ripple Of q laugh came
from Nancy.
what q self -natterer you are,I
why should sulk. please?'
We'll. I have been bit neglect
fut Of you today"
Nancy smiled maliciously.
In view OF the events of the
day. ! think I ought to thank you
for your consideration"
That was q nasty scratch" was
his unrunled reply. as he lit D
cigarette Like to 60 for q walk
Nancy was on the point OF, refus-
accept. Here was a chance to
-carry on" with her promise to
, Edith. besides an opportunity to
escape from tete tete with Maj
Desmond. She doubted IL Stanley
: could be depended upon to continue
his ehaperonage all evening, par
ticulariy II he got IL into his head
that his presence was especially
wanted. And Desmond would be
leaving In the morning.
-On second thought. We might
take the roadster and run out to
the scene Of the wreck" suggested
the doctor. II hear that the guilty
party has absconded. I'd rather
like to look over the ground and
: see what he left as means for iden-
{ tincation. Even the cleverest crook
leaves clues. you know"
When Nancy sped upstairs for
her wraps she came upon Edith
sitting before q hall window in the
twilight. her chin resting in her
palm. her gaze on the fast-darken-
ing landscape.
Nancy thought she had never
seen her quite 50 sad, or her pose
quite so listiess.
She slipped up to her impulsively
before Edith was aware of her
presence. and laid her hand on the
dropping shoulder. dropping her
cheek against Edith's hair.
Tell Nancy about itT' she
coaxed.
Edith looked up with a forced
smile.
What q wretched hostess I am.
Do you think your friends will for
-
day has upset me completely"
SNaturallys" agreed Nancy grave
~. But II was more than the ac-
efdent. wasn't 1t, dear?"
Nancy" Edith clutched her hand
convulsiyely, you were there
you heard that girl call him by name.
Tell me. II isn't possible that"
Ny dear. you're letting your
: fancy run wild" Nancy broke in
swiftly. Just because this Fleurette
person happened to murmur the
name of-that name-when she was
onE half-conscious after an awful
spip. you mustn't let yourself
Imagine thingsc After all. Freddie
tsta common enough name. can't
quite conceive Of anyone calling the
great doctor by such a familiar title.
Eten you call him Frederick"
Edith sighed.
~ hope you're right. Perhaps
rny borrowing trouble. But there
hffe been SO many other in
stAaeest"
Enc broke on. turning her head
away and laying her hand over her
eyes with q gesture of pain.
ancy was silent, and finally Edith
saia. haitingiy:
hope you never know what II
Is 10 care for anybody as I do"
Nancy murmured something.
What did you sayT asked Edith
s1ssaid what q pity that the mer
whs inspire such splendid devotion
ara. usually sunworthy."
NE next moment. realizing what
She .had thoughiessiy said. she
ssipsd. =,
foh-my dear. forgive me! I spoke
without thinkfng l."
Edith silenced her with q gesture
Don't apologize may have a
treacherous heart and distorted
s Judgment. but. thank God. I have. no