Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1925-10-06

aHoIher man. she told herself pas
sionately
Nan was changing her frock lp-
stairs in the ATTENTION when she
heard a car drive up to the gate
and stop. She looked out of her
window curiouusly then the blouse
flew to her cheeks in a rush of
crimson. John Arnott was getting
out of the car; he turned to give his
hand to a woman in black.
His sister," Nan told herself
stairs and called to the little maid
Are you dressed?-Mary are
you dressed?"
1t was an enormous relief to get
an answer in the affirmative she
whispered instructions over thebaI-
listers.
"Sone people are calling-ask
them in thedrawing room, and say
/ will be down in a minutes-oh,
and, Mary-keepp the boys out of
the way--and for heavens sake,
mind that the cake doesn't burn
it's in the oven"
She twisted her hair up anyhow
her hands shook as she fastened
her frock.
Il don't know why on earth Pm
so excited" she thought. Her heart
was pounding traitOrously as she
went down the stairs.
The drawing room door was
closed, and Nan stood for a mo-
ment outside. Il
When at last she went into the
there was little flush in her cheeks
but she smiled composedly enough
as she went forward,
Arnott was standing staring at
picture. He wheeled round as the
door opened. He began a clumsy
PRODUCTION, but his sister cut him
short.
" have heard so much of Miss
Marraby that there isn't any need
for us to be formally introduced,
John" she said. She gave Nan her
hand.
"My brother has spoken of you
so much, l feel as if I know you al
ready" she said.
"You are very kind" Nan said,
but her cheeks felt hot.
Arnott seemed to read her
thoughts, for he said suddenly:
"Lyster came along with US, but
ne spotted your young brothers on
the road and insisted on getting
out and walking home with Them.
Miss Marraby. Topping little chops,
aren't they? They wouldn't have
much to say to me but they were
all over Peter.
Mans eyes shone.
peter was always fond of chill
dren," she said unthinkingly.
Arnott's sister looked up quickly
"You know Mr.. Lyster well?" she
asked, in faint surprise.
az! Oh, no-at least. Nan
stammered and hesitated; she look
ed appealingly at John.
He rushed into the breach.
miss Marraby has met him when
we were together once or twice."
he said; that is all :" He fol-
lowed Nan to the tea table. 81 say,
let me help" he urged. "Tm a
dabster at pouring tea and passing
sups and things"
Doris Mears watched them silent
ly across the room; she was slight
ly built woman, rather below me-
dunn height, with extremely small
hands and feet of which she was in
ordinately proud.
"Will Mr.. Lyster be coming a.
long then!" Nan asked presently;
she tried hard to make her
question appear casual, but to the
other woman there was a sort of
suppressed eagerness in her voice.
"He didn't say" she answered
sweetly. "They all turned off into
the woods. l shouldn't trouble to
keep any tea for them"
TITS no trouble" Nan said. "The
boys will be hungry, anyway"
"Tm not going to like her." was
the dismayed thought in her heart.
"And she isn't going to like me,
either"
She was ashamed of the instinct;
she liked Arnott we'll enough to
wish to like his sister also.
She took her cup and went over
to sit down beside Doris. 81 hear
you have a little boy" she said. ~
wish you had brought him with you.
( Mrs. Mears laughed and raised
one small hand deprecatingly.
Hes a darling, but Pm perfect
.x,~,,ly of+ay. IN minutes with him 80