The Washington times., 1922-11-12


a maid was putting ready for her
failed to give her the usual thrill
she merely glanced at II and
crossed to the window. As she
pushed It open Fancy crossed the
path beneath. Her hands were
full of daffodils, her face was
bent, and there was a half smile
on her lips. Sally regarded her
intently. II struck her that In
spite of the fact that she was
smiling she looked tired, tagged, a
trifle pinched.
She leaned a little farther out
of the window. and as she did SO
Fancy looked up and held out the
flowers, apparently for the inspec-
ton of someone within the house.
"Aren't they lovely?" she OBJ
served, and then rather abruptly
dropped them on to a little tiled
garden table and sank into the
chair near it,. The color had left
her face. II came flushing back
as Billy came quickly out and
bent above her. The girl above
heard her murmur something re-
assuringly about the Sudden heat"
saw the look in the mans eyes as
he slid cushion hastily behind
the fair head-and drew back into
the room abruptly, blinking. a
little.
81 reckon it must feel pretty
good to be loved like that" she
said within herself. 81 wish"
And stopped abruptly on little
sigh.
.
Twenty minutes later Dan came
upon Fancy still lying back in her
chair where Fanshawe had left
her. Her hands were clasped idly
in her lap, her eyes, looking out
into the misting distance, were
very far away. She was quite un-
aware Of his presence until he
spoke her name; then she sat up
with a jerk, the bright color
flooding her cheeks.
Involuntarily she made move
ment as if to rise, but he made
swift gesture, and came little
nearer, until he stood over her.
There was that in his expression
that made her catch. startled
breath, and for a moment her
eyes darkened. Then Dan began
to speak.
Fancy" he said, and there was
an odd, rough note in his voice
81 have had no opportunity of talk
ing to you since the accident
made it necessary for you to ex-
tend to me your hospitality. You
have given me none. And yet you
must have known that-that
have wanted to say so much to
you--that-"
He paused as she made slight
movement of her hands. Her face
was pale now, and her eyes met
his levelly.
"Please don't" she begged. 81
had hoped you would under
stand, would realize that it is bet
ter to leave things just as they are.
Nothing that you can find to say
can make any difference-now!
And so--"
"You don't mean that" There
was fierce disbelief and sudden
pleading in Revell's voice. He
spoke very low, but his tone was
vibrant with a passion not easily
controlled. Again Fancy's breath
caught; again she made a move
ment, half-appealing, half-peremp-
tory.
81 must ask you to believe that
I dol" she said. And then, quick
ly, very earnestly-"Dan-cant
you see for yourself that we meet
upon an absolutely different foot
ing, under completely changed cir
cumstances! Can't you"
"No! cannot! My God!
Fancy, what sort of a man do you
think | am-what kind of love do
you imagine ! bore you, that you
can speak of change! tell you,
| am as unchanged as you your
self are unchanged! l love you
love you, as you-"
"Stop" She rose now and
stood facing him. And at some-
thing stern, cold, and unex-
.x.A. Ill, Lo~l =. kz~ ,,z..s l. ...-.