The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-03
CHAPTER XIX

"How de do.'' Natalie gave Miss Lowell a careless nod, then turned to Ned Lead me to a drink of water, Ned. I'm perishing of thirst I forgot to look at them in my sur prise. I found myself holding soft warm hand-two laughing eyes looked into mine and the well-remembered, teasing voice said:
 I'm delighted to meet-any friend of Jessie's." She intended to ignore the supper party meeting. I would fol- low her lead although I had been about to declare we had met before. She was in white as at the supper, this time that was vastly becoming. Chatting gaily we went into the house. Your wife is very lovely, Mir. Henderson, she said as Jessie asked:
 Aren't you thirsty too, Bruce:3
 "Parched," I replied. And Miss Lowell laughing walked by my side in to the dining room where Natalie and Ned were talking seriously and so absorbed in each other that they start ed inyoluntarily as we appeared.
 A quick flash of my little companion eyes told me she also had seen--seen and drawn conclusions. She was read ing between the lines again as she had that night at the supper party when she had rallied me upon my silence. guessing the cause.
 ''Shed never be looked at ill the same room with Natalie.'' I thought. "but she's sweet and clever" I was pas sionately possessive and this so evident filtration of Natalie's had hurt. turned to Diana and without again looking toward my. wife and Ned com menced to chat with her.
 'Run on out and see if the tennis court is ill condition to play this after noon. Bruce" Jessie ordered. Take Miss Lowell with you. She never seen the place, it is her first visit to us.'
 Twill you go?' I asked Diana.
 'T'm just dying to-" she returned.
 Luncheon in half an hour!" Jessie called after us.
 Diana spoke warmly of Natalies $ beauty.
 She's the loveliest thing, but she's human like all the rest of us.' Her glance was teasing.
 "Of course. you wouldn't have her different would you?'
 Would YOUT'
 I flushed uncomfortably. I was wear ing my heart on my sleeve and she was pecking at it.
 ''No indeed. To me sne is the one woman. Strange as it may seem l eeally am very much in love with my wife"
 Its self-evident fact" Diana re. turned still teasing. "But you're hope lessly out of fashion. Oh, here we are what duck of a court! l adore tennis"
 You didn't mind my not knowing youY' she asked archly after mo, ment's silence. T hate explanations v
 Not in the least so long as you know me now" returned.
 Another self-evident fact" Sht smiled up at me. Then: Did the cavt man methods work? '..;.;..
 Weren't noticea," I replied honestly ''Too bad. Try them again some time I told you that night you were soft was guessing then, but now l am sure. I challenge you to beat me al tennis," she quickly changed the sub ject.
 "Lunch is ready" a masculine voict called and Garth Holden walked toward us.
 "Hello, Garth! Miss Lowell allow me to introduce Mir. Holden, great pal of mine and-a woman-hater."
 "Hes maligning me-" Garth, said al he took the little hand Diana extended
 'I hope so," she replied gaily, "fol I intend you shall like me-
 / "As if could help it," Garth re .! turned as we walked back to the house