Joan Thursday

ke most men of his type; his voice, unctuous with the Southern drawl which he affected toge

ut here than-" He checked suddenly in both words and action: the women had starte

ia, to Matthias, and again back to the women, during a m

irst to learn the news, Mr. Marbridge. Vene

yes widened; a cigarette fell unheeded fr

stantaneously-"this certainly is some s

him, and pressed it warmly. "You're the luckiest man I eve

smiling gravely into the other's eyes. Under his firm but pleasant regard they wavered and

ngratulate Miss Tankerville as heartily as I do you; but I

stand: your intentions are excellent.

rth modifying her composure. "But I'm afraid, Helena," she a

y, robbed of formality by her spirited smile: to Matthias her hand and a gentle

hey disappeared, Marb

..." He dropped heavily but with characteristic grace into a chair. "It tak

es-doesn't it? Have another cigarette?" H

n if I wasn't a mite too middle-aged, maybe I might'

l nothing of that sort

ty a retort trembled on his lips, he thought better of it; and before ei

y. "Don't you know you're hold

an for cards-took himself again out into the open night. But now the terrace was all too small to contain his spirits. The need of action-movement, freedom, space-was strong upon him. Striding away down the drive that wound like a broad band of w

e had ever been in all his days. The faculty of coherent thought had passed from him utterly, but it passed unmourned: Venetia was his! This thought alone sufficed him. He had neither time nor inclination to entertain those doubts, those questionings an

f a healthy body thoroughly exercised, the peace of a mind vexed by no insatiable desire. And still he was not sleepy. Purposefully he retarded his footsteps, appro

rk. He pulled out his watch and studied its face by moonlight, finding

and-not without amusement at his self-contrived predicament-what to do if he were. To his relief one-half of the double door stood a foot or two ajar-thanks, he had no doubt, to the thoughtfulness of Helena or Tankerville. Blessin

ame aware of her she was indeed almost within arm's length: a shape of shadow scarce three shades lighter than the encompassing gloom.... Venetia, possibly, having waited

ure of abandonment, with a little sigh that escaped in broken measure, murmurous and fond. An arm that, lifting, flashed naked to the shoulder

one thought shot like light through the tu

ure of the woman's arm. She strove to overcome his resist

... sweet

he inadequacy of that stilted form, disgu

came gustily, with a sound like smothered sobbing. Pitifully he divined her shame and terror; and

voice she itera

"I couldn't tell you from Eve. So perhaps

a sound of soft rustling draperies, a swift and hushed patter of footsteps on the

ingle light, returned to the doo

steps, the shadow of a man who drew back swiftly when he recognized Matthias. This last stepped out, turned in the dir

m in a curious posture of antagonism: his feet well apart, heavy body inclined a trifle forwa

titude even as he seemed to ignore the fact that Marbridge had changed from even

assented surlily. But it was with patent effort that he mast

" Matthias filled in

quely. "Too fine," he amende

pless

es

troubled with the same indisposition," he observed coolly, swinging

d: "Perhaps I do

lained pleasantly. "I didn't like to thi

tort, turned and began s

g? Half

, and in silen

oom," said Matthias amiably. "There are several early trains tomorro

rbridge resumed his deliberate ascent,

alled after him, softly;