The Washington times., 1922-11-12

Hou CoihC tS'Saos'~"
could only stand dumb, utterly at
a loss as to how to meet the situa'
tion.
To Dan that moment was in
terminable; a moment he would
never, in all his life forget. After
that first swift upward glance
Sally had lowered her head, and
was standing quite still, her fore
head pressed against his breast, her
breath coming shortly. Her pulses
still leaped and throbbed beneath
his fingers.
And then, abruptly, the tension
was snapped. A light shone sud-
denly from the library window be-
hind them. The window itself
opened, revealing Billy Fanshawe
standing on the threshold.
As his glance fell upon them
he halted abruptly, with
smothered exclamation of incred-
ulous amaze. Dams hands dropped
to his sides and, immeasurably re-
lieved, he felt the girls clasp re-
lax. She whirled about, her
slender body still pressing against
him, her head tilted back, her face
and eyes still startling in their
radiance. Then, even as Billy
blinked at her stupidity she caught
the wrap about her, flashed past
him with her face hidden, and
was gone.
The light in her eyes had been
as great a revelation to him as it
had been to Dan. 1t was as
though another Sally had stood be-
fore him, Sally grown to
womanhood in the space of a
moment-a creature all smiles and
blushes, yet very near to tears.
He drew a slow breath, listening
to the soft scurry of her feet upon
the stairs. Then he stepped out
into the moonlight and crossed
leisurely to Dams side.
The younger man stood quite
still, looking straight before him.
He seemed not to be aware of the
others presence, and there was
that in his expression that held
Billy silent. 1t was an expression
that puzzled and disturbed him.
After a little while he cleared his
throat gently.
Dan started, looked round, then,
as he met the blue, clear gaze
flushed angrily, biting his lip.
"Well?" he demanded; and
thrust his hands suddenly into his
pockets. Billy had begun to fill
his pipe. He did not look up.
When he spoke his pleasant voice
was a little troubled.
"How long"-he asked-"has
this sort of thing been going on
between you and Sally?"
Again Dams white face flushed.
His eyes flashed for an instant,
and in his pockets his fingers
twitched.
"What the devil''--he re-
torted savagely-"has that go: to
do with you?"
Billy's rosy eountenance ex-
pressed a mild surprise.
"My dear chap! Sally's my
ward. And-it's up to me to see
she isn't made unhappy"
The last words were spoken very
deliberately, and with something
in the tone that made Dan stiffen
where he stood.
Damn you-what do you
mean?"
His irritability was uncontrolled.
His nerves were taut, strained to
breaking point. He was ag-
gressive, on edge. Billy looked at
him levelly, then dropped his gaze
to. the pipe bowl.
"Only what say" He
glanced up again, and now the
mild eyes were searching. He
added: you're not in love with
Sally" He spoke with certainty,
and the trouble grew in his face.
Dan made a swift, violent gesture.
''In love with her My God!-"
The cry spoke more than he
knew. The line about Billy's lips
became a shade grim. After a
moments deliberation he spoke
again.
"Yet"-he said-"you have
made her care for you"
Dan flnnu mt his hands in