er replaced the weapon in the drawer when the front
door-bell rang. Laura turned pale and started to her feet. Could that
be John? Instinctively, she gathered her negligee gown closer to her
frail, trembling figure, and, hurrying to the mirror, put those little
finishing touches to her hair which no woman, jealous of her personal
appearance, would think of neglecting, even though the house was on
fire. She was so unstrung and agitated that she could hardly stand; she
had to hold the table with one hand to maintain her balance. She could
not articulate; her voice stuck in her throat.

"See--who--that is--and let me know," she gasped.

"Yassum."

The maid went out into the private hall and opened the door.
Immediately was heard the voice of Elfie St. Clair.

"Hello, Annie. Folks in?"

"Yassum; she's in."

Laura breathed more freely, and ran to greet her friend, who bounced
in, smiling and good-natured. Elfie was beautifully gowned in a morning
dress, with an over-abundance of trimmings and all the furbelows that
generally accompany the extravagant raiment affected by women of her
type. Advancing effusively, she exclaimed:

"Hello, dearie!"

"Hello, Elfie!" said Laura, unable to conceal how genuinely glad she
was to see her friend.

"It's a bully day out," said Elfie, looking at herself in the mirror.
"I've been shopping all morning long; just blew myself until I'm broke,
that's all. My goodness, don't you ever get dressed? Listen--talk about
cinches! I copped out a gown, all ready made. It fits me like the paper
on the wall for thirty-seven and one-half dollars. Looks like it might
have cost $200. Anyway, I had them charge $200 on the bill, and I kept
the change. There are two or three more down there, and I want you to
go down and look them over. Models, you know, being sold out. My--how
you look this morning! You've got great black circles round your eyes.
I don't blame you for not getting up earlier."

Sitting down at the table without noticing Laura further, she rattled
on:

"That was some party last night! I know you didn't drink a great deal,
but gee! what an awful tide Will had on! How do you feel?" Stopping
short in her prattle, and looking at her friend, she exclaimed with
concern: "What's the matter, are you sick? You look all in. What you
want to do is this--put on your duds and go out for an hour. It's a
perfectly grand day out. My Gaud! How the sun does shine! Clear and
cold. Well, much obliged