playing
with hands, lips, and crooning voice her self-appointed role of
comforter. It would be a stony-hearted celibate indeed who resisted
little Jacqueline in the role of comforter.

Kate Kildare smiled to herself, content. At least one of her dreams was
coming true. The old lying scandal would die in time and be forgotten.
Fate, her enemy--what match was it for three such allies as propinquity,
nature, and a wise mother?

CHAPTER XXII

The fact was that Philip, in his double capacity of priest and of
bodyguard to the household of his liege lady, had been for some time
aware of a thing that troubled him deeply. It was Philip who brought to
the Madam's notice much that required her attention in her domain, but
this he did not bring to her attention. His hands were tied.

Shortly after the episode of the Night Riders, he had happened to be
driving in an adjoining county, when to his amazement a large automobile
flashed by with Jacqueline at the wheel, speaking over her shoulder to a
man who sat beside her. In the glimpse he had of them, Philip thought he
recognized the man as Percival Channing. They were too absorbed in each
other to notice him, hidden as he was in the depths of his buggy.
Jacqueline's laugh floated back to him as they passed, a soft little
laugh that brought a sudden frown to Philip's face. Her expert handling
of the great car told its own story.

"That won't do at all!" muttered Philip aloud. Then he took himself up
sharply--"Why won't it do?" The man was James Thorpe's nephew, a
gentleman, a person of some distinction; certainly a fit companion for
Kate's children. Why should he feel uneasy? That Jacqueline had not
mentioned the further acquaintance with him might be merely an
oversight. After all, the girl must marry some day, though the thought
of losing his little playfellow gave Philip a pang.

"I see," he said casually at Storm that night, "that the author is still
in our midst. I suppose he has called here, hasn't he?"

He spoke to Kate, not glancing in the direction of Jacqueline.

"Oh, yes. We found his cards one afternoon, with Mr. Farwell's,"
answered Kate. "I am sorry not to have seen him."

"He will probably come again," said Jemima, rather importantly. "In fact
I asked him to, the other night at Professor Jim's party."

Jacqueline made a gleeful face at her sister's back, not unnoted by
Philip.

"So-o!" he said to himself gravely. "I shall have to make friends with