o
her in the park down to that evening.

Kitty nodded understandingly. "But the girls have handed it to you
worse than the men, Hazel," she observed sagely. "Jack Barrow was just
plain crazy jealous, and a man like that can't help acting as he did.
You're really fortunate, I think, because you'd not be really happy
with a man like that. But the girls that you and I grew up with--they
should have stood by you, knowing you as they did; yet you see they
were ready to think the worst of you. They nearly always do when
there's a man in the case. That's a weakness of our sex, dear. My,
what a vindictive old Turk that Bush must have been! Well, you aren't
working. Come and stay with me. Hubby's got a two-year contract with
the World Advertising Company. We'll be located here that long at
least. Come and stay with us. We'll show these little-minded folk a
thing or two. Leave it to us."

"Oh, no, I couldn't think of that, Kitty!" Hazel faltered. "You know
I'd love to, and it's awfully good of you, but I think I'm just about
ready to go away from Granville."

"Well, come and stop with us till you do go," Kitty insisted. "We are
going to take a furnished cottage for a while. Though, between you and
me, dear, knowing people as I do, I can't blame you for wanting to be
where their nasty tongues can't wound you."

But Hazel was obdurate. She would not inflict herself on the one
friend she had left. And Kitty, after a short talk, berated her
affectionately for her independence, and rose to go.

"For," said she, "I didn't get hold of this thing till Addie Horton
called at the hotel this afternoon, and I didn't stop to think that it
was near teatime, but came straight here. Jimmie'll think I've eloped.
So ta-ta. I'll come out to-morrow about two. I have to confab with a
house agent in the forenoon. By-by."

Hazel sat down and actually smiled when Kitty was gone. Somehow a
grievous burden had fallen off her mind. Likewise, by some
psychological quirk, the idea of leaving Granville and making her home
elsewhere no longer struck her as running away under fire. She did not
wish to subject Kitty Brooks to the difficulties, the embarrassment
that might arise from having her as a guest; but the mere fact that
Kitty stood stanchly by her made the world seem less harsh and dreary,
made it seem as if she had, in a measure, justified herself. She felt
that she could adventure forth among strangers in a strange coun