Jewel Weed

"We know that the dinner hour is looming on the horizon, and we're not

going to stay," said Dick. "But your husband has some civic reform

monographs that I thought I would borrow while he was in the lending

mood."

"You needn't apologize, Dick," she laughed. "You are more than tolerated

in this house."

There came a sharp noise, and Madeline Elton, with pale face and eyes

big, stood in the doorway. Every one knew that something had happened,

and Mrs. Lenox, who saw the rolled magazine in the nervous hand, guessed

its purport in a flash.

"My dear girl!" she cried, running forward, "you are not going to let

such a pin-prick hurt you!"

"Oh, Vera," exclaimed the girl, putting her face down on her friend's

shoulder, "you know! It does hurt. I can't help it," and she sobbed.

The three men looked on in puzzled helpless masculinity, and the Swami

surveyed the scene as the two women clung to each other.

"Vera," said Mr. Lenox, "are we permitted to know what this means?" Mrs.

Lenox kept her arm around Madeline's shoulder as she turned.

"It's only an ugly little fling in the Chatterer, Frank," she said,

"and it sounds as though it might refer to Madeline. It is nothing, but

I dare say my dear girl does not enjoy a bit of dirt even on her outer

garment. And, Madeline, very likely it is not meant for you."

"Oh, yes, it is," cried the girl. "Some one sent me this marked copy.

And I went there once when I thought he had invited a crowd to see some

tapestries. There was no one else there. There is just so much truth in

it."

"Would you rather that we should not see it?" asked Mr. Lenox.

"I'm afraid every one will see it," said Madeline shamefacedly, as she

held out the guilty pages. The three men leaned their heads over the

table with a curiosity that would have done credit to women, while Ram

Juna still looked on.

"I have already beheld the writing," he said suavely. "Mr. Early gave

way to unwonted anger when he saw. The lady must have an enemy."

"That is it," cried Madeline, turning upon him swiftly. "I think I am

not so much hurt by the scandal--every one who knows me will believe

better of me--but what cuts is that there should be some one who wants

to hurt me. I--I've always thought of the world as a friendly place. Who

is it that hates me?"

"Bah, it is a very small enemy who seeks small revenge," said the Swami,

whose own heart was filled with contempt and irritation. This was not

according to his plan. "In India, we do not so revenge."

Mr. Lenox stepped back to the fireplace, from which point a man always

surveys the world at an advantage.