The Washington times., 1922-06-18

laughter and voices. Slowly she
moved to the stairs, and standing
against the oalen banisters looked
down. Tea tables were being set
: before the huge hearth. Terry. still
in her habit, was standing at Roland
Gish's side, her face nptilted, eyes
and mouth mischievous and mirth.
full. The man was looking down at
her with veiled eyes, and Lee stud.
led him earnestly.
From this distance he looked
debonair. handsome. rather attrac-
tive---a fine figure Of . man In his
riding kit But she remembered
his eyes and certain lines Of dissi-
patton about q mouth that was very
hard, and even cruel when II did
not smile, and she drew long sigh.
She wondered, In troubled fash.
ion, what there was actually against.
the man. For a moment she wss,
almost tempted. to seek Jason
Smithers and ask him. So far some
unexplainable instinct had with,
held her from doing so. She had
sens6d that, always, In Roland
Gish's presence her husband had
not been himself---that he had re.
= strained his feelings with an effort
that was almost violent, and sho
had hesitated to add to an agitation
at which, she knew. he would not,
for the world, have had her guess.
Now, as she prepared slowly to
90 downstairs, step sounded be-
hind her, and she looked round.
Frost stood at her elbow.
III you please. ma'am. Mr.. Smith
ers would like to speak to you IN
his room. He has been indisposed
since luncheon, ma'am-a return OF
the gout, | think"
Lee turned back at once. real
sympathy In her eyes. little OF
anxiety. Frost opened the door OF
Jason Smithers's room for her and
disappeared. Smithers was In a
deep chair at the shadOwy end of
the room. his foot propped up. She
went to him quickly, laying q light
hand upon the long, nervous one on
the chair arm.
She felt It quiver for an instant,
then. to her surprise, he jerked 1t
almost violently away. He spoke
sbruptly. irritably:
Don't! / hate being touched
when I'm Ill! This damn gout"-
The words ended in an inarticulate
growi. Lee let her hands fail and
stood waiting.
I'm sorry" the old man said
after q moment. still testify. but
with faint contrition. But it's
damnable being tied here by the
leg! Damnable to watch youth all
about one and to-and to feel a
cripple! There, child! Don't take
any notice OF me. I'm like a bear
with q sore head. Did Frost tell you
want You to do something for
me?"
Lee shook her head. Smithers
moved his swathed foot gingerly
and swore softly, apologizing an In
stant later.
I'm a grumpy old curmudgeon.
child, but ! hate inaction. Now,
then. was going into Brookbridge
village this evening after dinner
meeting the 0 o'clock from London.
There'll be one Of my men Of bust.
ness on 1t with some important
papers-devilish important papers
THAT ought to deal with tonight.
could send Frost for them, but I
daren't-can't spare him when I'm
like this. And my man will only
give them up to a responsible per
son. Will you go? Haines will
drive you and bring you straight
back, so your be quite safe"
For an instant she saw his eyes
giint-was conscious OF an odd, sup
. pressed aagerness In his voice.
Then she laughed.
But, Of course. I'll 60! I'm
only too glad to be able to do any
thing for you-that is Of the slight
est help"
She spoke shyly, half stammer-
ingly. Smithers locked up at her
and away rather quickly. He spoke
almost brusquely.
Good" He leaned slightly fur
ther back into the shadows. "Haines
will be waiting with the car at
eight-forty; that will give you
plenty Of time. You'll be back be-
fore your guests have time to miss
you. Give the papers to Frost.
don't want, on any account, to be
disturbed again tonight. Before
you 60, just touch the bell. Will
your"
Lee obeyed in silence. She felt
herself dismissed and flushed slight
ly at his almost churlish tone. But
there was nothing Of resentment IN
her heart.
II was not until she was at the
dinner table that she remembered
she had wanted to question him
y concerning Roland Gish.
Later, in the wide hall, Terry
pirouetted round her while Frost,
wooden and deft as ever, put her
into huge fur coat.
"Why didn't you tell me you we're
going before, Lee?" she demanded.
"I'd have driven you myself. Now