The Washington times., 1922-05-28

to free her fingers. Presently he
let them go and the girl dropped
back into the chair from which she
had risen.
81 was here this afternoon,
Smithers said, but / did not wait
to see you then, as your stepmother
seemed a little-upset."
Lee was conscious Of a momen-
tary almost irrepressible desire to
smile. Sc said, after a slight
pause:
"She has a headache. She is lying
down now. But" the color rose
family in her cheeks, "she has told
me the nature of your interview
with her."
Mr.. Smithers looked relieved.
I'm glad of that" he said quietly.
1T simplifies matters for me. and
you will already have had time
to give my-ah-suggestion some
slight consideration"
Yes" Lees voice was quite ex.
pressionless. She sat with her head
slightly bent, her hands clasped In
her lap. The old man peered at
her, slightly frowning. Behind his
glasses his glance was more pierc.
ing and a great deal more anxious
than she knew.
He coughed gently.
Il ought, perhaps, to have ap-
preached you on the matter before
speaking to Mrs. Dorice. But be-
long to another generation and
have, perhaps, rather old.fashioned
notions. Regarding Mrs. Dorice as
your natural guardian, thought
best to make my offer through her."
Lee half opened her lips and her
clasped hands stirred slightly. But
she remained silent and he looked
at her little tentatively.
Il felt, however" he proceeded,
that should like to have my an.
swer direct from you"
He moved little nearer to her
and stood above her, leaning rather
heavily on nIs long, gold-topped
cane. Lee, rather abruptly, turned
her face away. Only the stirring
of the slender, white, ringless
fingers betrayed the fact that she
was not altogether as calm as she
would appear Mr. Smithers's eyes
rested on them briefly. then lifted
to the fine, soft curve OF her cheek.
"Refure you give it," he went on
slowly, 81 would like to say few
words to you which, possibly, may
influence your decision"
Ice bent her head She felt the
intentness OF his gaze and was
angry with herself because Of the
deepening color in her cheeks. Her
thoughts were still chaotic; her
emotions difficult OF definition.
"Had | been even ten years
Younger" the slightly hesitating
voice went on. 81 might not have
summoned sufficient courage to
dare so much-or to hope at all.
Because l should not then have
found it so easy to keep out all
question of sentiment. Ten years
ago | might have wanted more from
you than you would have been will
ing 10 give-more than just the joy
of your youth near me, your COM
panionship. AS it is"-
He paused as Lee stirred sharply
and looked down quickly at the
hands upon his supporting cane.
They were even more unsteady than
usual. and in the hidden eyes was
an EXPRESSION WHICH, luiSHI HdNo
startled Lee more than little had
she seen it. 1t passed and he went
on quietly
"As It is, you can-if you will
make the remainder Of my life less
empty and less cold. have a great
deal that men envy me-wealth,
ease, comfort. But | want more.
| have wanted more-all my life!"
His voice rose a trifle, grew less
hesitant. For an instant it was
vibrant with an almost passionate
vehemence. He leaned a little
nearer and Lee held her hands
rather nervously on either arm OF
her chair. She was looking at him
now, looking at him with a new in
terest, intently. He caught the look
and held it. When he spoke his
voice was repressed, once more hes.