The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-23
CHAPTER XIV

Janet wondered for moment II this weren't all some grotesque dream. She had to steady her uuiverlng lips before she could ans wer, "Why--he wanted to sell you the house without the knowledge or his firm, suppose
 "So l gathered {. Now my problem is this: l want that house a lot. I'm not under any oblign- ton to Hallowell and Benton, I've already paid them for any services they had rendered. But--now you look like q smart young woman-- would it be your opinion that a man who was diSloyal Co one em- blower would be any more straightforward in dealing with an- otherp"
 NO" Janet said, very low I'm afraid 1t wouldn't Not with any one"
 well, that's just about what l decided But l did want that house" ~
 He glanced toward the white house across the ravine,
 1T don't suppose he sald re- fiectively, that that one Is Tor sale"
 I'-really, I don't know mur- mured Janet,
 After all, did shcp Could she be sure of anything after thisP She got up slowly
 1T think I'll have to be running along now" ,
 "i'm afraid I've been boring you" he said, smiling up at her "But sometimes talking things out to someone else helps you to come to decision My dear young lady. you look i'll. hope you haven't over-tired yourself. l have Q car right out by the gate if"
 "Thank you" Janet said hastily, "but I'm all right, Anyhow, l live just around the corner"
 At first Janet thought that she cdlld not go to the party that night that it would be Impossible to appear with Lance, laughing and acting as If her world had not fallen to pieces. But soon oil the legend that her love had built up about Lance sprang to his defense.
 what ever he had tried to do, he hAd attempted for her Be- siGes, he had failed. And having seen the cool scorn in the old mans eyes that afternoon, Janet had q feeling that before the mat ter was ended, Lance would bo made to understand just why he had failed He must have been too desperate to understand exactly what he was doing, or he would never have tried. Before 1t was time to dress for Lesbos dinner dance, Janet had almost persuaded herself that this was true.
 The sea-greon gown with the jacket Of SequinS was delivered late that afternoon, Janet decided that she might as well wear it, There was nothing like c sense of being beautifully dressed to bolster up ones morale, Besides, she thought q little bitterly, the sea-green gown would be entirely out of style before she needed Q trousseau.
 cynthia anA Timothy B enton had Just arrived, and were stand- ing in the lobby of the hotel where Leslie was giving her party when Lance and Janet went in. Timothy Benton was rather overpowering in evening dress, Ho was, Janet thought, as Lance had said, SO ugly he was almost handsome. He carried himself with tho easy polSe Of an athlete: but his voice, when cynthia in. trodueed him Co Janet, was just shade too loud, his manner shade too hearty for perfect ease, There was something about him that reminded Janet of Q great friendly bear not entirely sure of his welcome, When he made boisterous joke about their being cousins now, Janet saw Lnnce's left eyebrow lift ever SO wedrily, Lance, who had been trained in an expensive technical school md in Paris, and who had been taken into the business as the son of one of Mir Hallowells best friends,