me if I want to go back. It isn't much, but very important--sort
of a pantomime part. A lot of people talk about me and just at the
right moment I walk across the stage and make an awful hit. I told
Jerry that if I went on he'd have to come across with one of those
Irish crochet lace gowns. He fell for it. Do you know, dearie, I think
he'd sell out his business just to have me back on the stage for a
couple of weeks, just to give box parties every night for my entrance
and exits."

Laura went over to the sofa, picked up the candy box, placed it on the
desk, and took the telegram from the table. Then, taking her friend by
the hand, she led her over to the sofa.

"Elfie," she said seriously.

"Yes, dear."

"Come over here and sit down."

"What's up?"

"Do you know what I'm going to ask of you?"

Elfie took a seat opposite. With a wry face, she said:

"If it's a touch, you'll have to wait until next week."

"No," smiled Laura; "just a little advice."

Her friend looked relieved.

"Well, that's cheap," she laughed; "and the Lord knows you need it.
What's happened?"

Laura took the crumpled and torn telegram which Brockton had left on
the table, and handed it to her companion. Elfie put the two pieces
together, and read it very carefully. When she reached the middle of
the despatch she gave an exclamation of surprise and looked up quickly
at her companion. Then, finishing it, she laid it down.

"Well?" she demanded.

Rather at a loss how to explain, Laura flushed and stammered:

"Will suspected. There was something in the paper about Mr.
Madison--the telegram came--then we had a row."

"Serious?"

"Yes. Do you remember what I told you about that letter--the one Will
made me write--I mean to John--telling him what I had done?"

"Yes, you burned it."

"I tried to lie to Will--he wouldn't have it that way. He seemed to
know. He was furious."

"Did he hit you?"

"No, he made me admit that John didn't know, and then he said he'd stay
here and tell him himself that I'd made him lie, and he said something
about liking the other man and wanting to save him."

"Save him?" exclaimed Elfie derisively. "Shucks! He's jealous!"

"I told him if he'd only go I'd--tell John myself when he came, and
now, you see, I'm waiting--and I've got to tell--and--and I don't know
how to begin--and--and I thought you could help me--you seem so sort of
resourceful, and it means--it means so much to me. If John turned on me