adows of the
silent road.

"It makes me feel pretty mad--what can I do?" he asked helplessly as she
drew the sleeve down.

"You can do nothing--but give me a little tenderness and love," she said
with a sob, letting him take her in his arms.

"You poor little woman!"

"It is so lovely to feel that you care, Jack! Nothing matters so long as
you care!" She clung to his neck inviting and returning his kisses.

Further down the lane as they walked with his arm about her, they were
startlingly rung out of the way by a cyclist who had come on them
unawares. It was Tommy who had neglected to light his lamp, as the
night, though dark, was clear and starry and municipal regulations were
lax.

"Do you think he recognised us?" Mrs. Fox asked anxiously.

"Without a doubt," Jack spoke with annoyance.

"But it's only Tommy and you are his friend. He won't give us away." She
had no idea of the shame and embarrassment that Jack suffered at the
thought that he had given his chum ocular proof of his folly, for Tommy
had confessed that he despised Mrs. Fox, and that he had encouraged
Bobby Smart to break away from her clutches. That there was truth in the
gossip concerning Mrs. Fox and young Smart he could no longer doubt, but
this made very little difference to him. As matters stood, he was
committed and could not go back. Nor did he wish to. At least Tommy was
loyal and would not give him away to the Station. Thoughts of the
Station brought thoughts of Mrs. Meredith and Honor Bright whose
good-fellowship he valued. Honor stood for all that was best in
womanhood, and to be worthy of her companionship a man had to be as
straight as a die. Joyce Meredith was "not in the same boat," though
she, too, was a "bit of 'All-right.'" Her sister--? what chance had he
of ever meeting her sister?--Jack laughed as he shook off a tendency to
morbid regret and bade Mrs. Fox a resolute farewell at her gate. He had
plenty to do preparing a judgment he had to deliver in court the
following day, and begged to be excused. Another day--perhaps----

Mrs. Fox fixed the day and parted from him tenderly, full of
satisfaction at the success of her clever fiction. The accident which
had occasioned the bruise had been of the commonest, but it had served
her gallantly.

Contrary to Jack's expectations, Tommy was not at all in the mood to
rag, being silent for the greater part of dinner. However, when the
genial influence of a whisky-and-soda had had time