y and she repeated:

"Tell me--whatever it is--promise that you won't do anything rash."

"I can promise that freely enough," replied Virginia with a sad smile.

"I'm so glad!" exclaimed Fanny with a gesture of relief and starting
forward to embrace her sister.

Virginia raised her hand. Quickly she said:

"And you--you too, must promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me whatever happens, that you will never tell Jimmie
about--Robert--and me."

"Very well."

"If you do, I shall never forgive you! Never!"

"I won't."

"Whatever happens--remember!"

"Then something is going to happen?" demanded Fanny.

"That depends," said Virginia evasively.

"Oh, I'm so worried!" exclaimed Fanny. "I couldn't sleep last night
for thinking about you. I was so nervous that I kept James awake too.
I'm glad you're not going to do anything rash."

Before Virginia could reply there came a loud knock at the door.

"Come in!" cried Virginia.

The door opened and Jimmie entered, cheerful and debonair as usual.

"Morning, Virgie!" he chuckled.

"Good morning," she replied gravely.

"Just dropped in to say good-bye before I hike along."

"I'm glad you did," she smiled amiably.

"We've had a bully little visit." Turning to his wife, he said:
"Haven't we, Fanny?"

"Yes, indeed," she smiled.

"Great finish too," he chuckled, "what with my raise and the car."

"Yes, isn't that fine?" chimed in his wife.

"I hope it's a late model," he went on, scratching his head. "I hate
those old-fashioned things!"

"I'll be satisfied with any kind of a car," laughed Fanny.

"So will I--in a way," he said. "But I hate folks to think I'm not up
to date." Turning to Virginia he added: "If Robert's ready we can go
down together. Is he?"

Shaking her head, she said quietly:

"I don't think so."

He laughed loudly.

"I didn't expect he would be after last night's illumination! He was
'full' all right--circuited from tower to basement! On the level, he
was so lit up that if every light on his machine had gone out the cops
couldn't have said a word!"

"James! Keep still!" whispered his wife, giving her sister a
significant glance.

"Why?" he exclaimed surprised. "Is there anything criminal in a man
getting tanked up once in a while?"

Fanny colored with vexation. Angrily she said: "Take my advice--don't
you ever try it!"

"And if I should," he demanded defiantly, "what can you do about it?"

"The husband's unanswerable q