The Washington times., 1922-06-25
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
-<HE formal announcement Of
her daughters engagement
= to Roland Gish was made
triumphantly by Teresa Dorice Is
early as the luncheon hour next
day. She was almost trembling
with excitement; Roland Gish wore
an air OF deep satisfaction. and
Terry, finding herself the centre OF
attraction and someone to be en-
We'd and congratulated, was In al
most boisterously good spirits.
Only Lee, sitting apart. stunned
and dumb and immeasurably dis
tressed, detected a certain hard.
ness In her laughter sometimes. a
CLINT of defiance In her eyes. But
1t was obvious that she was more
than content and that Gish's lover
like attentions really pleased and
fiattered her.
For Lee that luncheon seemed
interminable. The chatter and
laughter, the gay badinage made
her vince and bite her lips, and II
was with a long sigh Of relief that
she escaped at last.
Jason Smithers was still confined
to his room, and she found Frost
waiting with Q message from him
asking her to 90 10 him at once.
As she passed into his apartments
he spoke her name sharply.
hoarsely.
Lee"
The girl started, looking at him
with a sudden little flicker OF be-
wilderment in her eyes. She bad
never heard him speak quite lixe
that before. the whole tone Of the
hesitant, rather quavering, voice
had subtly altered.
Lee! Is this thing true-thst
Terry has promised to marry that
to marry Gish?
Again Lee shot him . little, half
puzzled glance. He was leaning
forward, his white hands gripping
the arms of his chair, and was ev'.
IDENTIFY laboring under stress Of
great emotion. She bent her head
slowly, without speaking.
Great God" Smithers made
movement as II to rise and checked
himself. But it's unthinkable! II
must not be! That man-and a
child like Terry! That
Hush" She went nearer to
him quickly. really alarmed st his
manner. She added quietly, . little
hopeiessIy, ''I-wish / had known
as much about Mr.. Gish little
while ago as ! do to-day. At least
l could have undeceived Terry
She hesitated, unconscious OF the
note OF reproach in her voice.
Smithers stirred and reached out a
hand to her. His lips twitched
suddenly.
Twas fool!" he said. "A selfish
fool! I ought to have thought
He stopped rather abruptly;
then added:
But something must be done
Terry must not take SO terrible a
step. The man Is unspeakable-the
interest cad!"
"Iknow!" Lees voice was weary.
"But--Terry won't believe It. II
would need some time--and q con-
siderable amount OF proof-to con.
vince her. or other people, that he
is anything but what hs appears:
And any attempt at interference
would only precipitate matters. II
we are to prevent this marriage we
shall have to 60 to work carefully"
Her husband opened his lips and
closed them again. Lee, standing
beside him, proceeded to sketch
briefly her interview Of the night
before with Terry. Smithers list.
eued without comment, sitting with
his chin dropped forward. frowning
fercely. ...-
I blundered hopelessly," Lee
added miserably. There was
sound almost Of tears IN her voice
and he stirred uneasily.
"It was not your fault, child. II
II comes to that. II is I who am to
blame for the whole wretched busi-
ness. But It'll be all right. I'll do
my utmost to make II right"
Lee made little gesture Of her
hands and let them fall For sew
eral minutes there was troubled