The Washington times., 1922-11-19
(continuss from Psss 10

panion.
"This Is delightfulr she mur-
INJURED. 'No-don't bother about
getting me any tea yet ! don't
really want II, and I'd much rather
talk to you've hardly seen any
thing Of you nee Two been back"
Dan murmured something con-
veptional, and for q moment there
was silence. As Mrs. Waring be-
gan to speak again, the red head
on the black cushion stirred triie
lrestlessly.
aBy the way" Brenda was say
. ing. 81 haven't congratulated YOU
properly, yet-have r."
She stopped, and began sud-
denly to laugh. Dan looked at
her sharply, frowning, flushing,
! and. making q little impatient
/ movement Of his band.
II confess" he began rather
sti6iy, that I fail to see any cause
for amusement.
NT'm sorry. But It Is just little
amusing, isn't it? The way you
Revells keep an eye to material
advantages, and snap up all the
luck that's going! It's awfully
clever Of you, really. My dear
boy, don't look so angry! Miss
Hicks Is quite charming Of course
--and don't doubt for q moment
you'll be quite moderately happy,
especially as she's obviously head
over ears in love with you. But
It's hardly worth while trying to
keep. up the pretense that you
share her affection with me-now
II it?"
Dams lips had become q
straight, rather grim line. Mrs.
Waring stirred trife uncomfort-
ably beneath his regard, though
she kept her eyes on him in half
malicious smiling. From the couch
in the corner there came the faint
est possible stir. The red head
was no longer resting on the pill
low.
'..Pretense Dan spoke sharply;
Mrs. Waring stared again i'm
patiently.
"Oh, come, Dan! We may be
all ostriches, but we don't live per-
petually with our heads in the
sand. And I'm not more stupid
than most people,! OF course it's
nothing-really-to do with me!
Only can't help being amazed at
the blind trust you Revells man.
age to inspire in your-er-vic-
timsl Look at Fancy-that ro-
tund mass of amiabiiity who calls
himself her husband has set her
on a pedestal it would. take an
earthquake to shake. He's quite
content to adore her-and to pay
for the privilege! And now you
have followed her example! All,
well! When we can't get the
moon we must be content with the
star that is nearest to it-eh, my
friend? And after all, there are
always compensations where there
Is plenty of money"
She paused deliberately, shrug-
ging. Then she drew a rather
sharp httle breath, involuntarily
shrinking slightly among her cush-
ions. Dan had swung round upon
her, and his eyes had become mar
rowed to two hard points Of steel.
$780," he said after moment,
people are saying that, are
Mrs. waring shrugged. "It is
not SO wonderful" she retorted.
''that they should say tor think
It! You're certainly not going to
marry the girl for love, are YOU
any more than Fancy married Billy
Fanshawe because she cared for
him? Oh, come, Dan! For good
ness sake don't let's quarrel! /
didn't mean to make you so angry.
Let's talk Of something else-and
forget it-and be friends!
She dropped coaxing hand on
his arm, vaguely conscious that her
apdacity had carried her just q
little too far. Dan flung off the
hand roughly and turned abruptly
on his heel.
Friends"
He uttered the one word with
something of such utter contempt
In his tone that Brenda Waring
flushed scarlet. For one instant,
breathless, furious, she stared after
him, then she sprang up. An in
slant later her hand was on his
arm again, clinging close this time,
an,l as he turned unwill;ngly to
{, face her, he saw that there was
more now than malice iE her eyes.
A moment she was silent, then,
very quietly she spoke.
al don't want to descend to
melodrama," she said smoothly,
'sbut l really should advise you to
remember that I'm a safer friend
than-otherwise, DAN! 1t isn't
wise to make enemies Of people
who-know too muchp
She spoke impulsively, defiantly.
Dan stared down at her for q mo-
nnent in utter incomprehension.
Then his lip curled contemptu-
ously.
'i rather fancy that such knowl-
edge as you possess Is shared by
most of the rest Of the world,
he returned. "Even Sally Ia
LsI., l;lroIv IN have escaDed hear