sponsible for some of her education. He had been a large influence
in teaching Linda from childhood to be a good sport, to be sure she was
right and then go ahead, and if she hurt herself in the going, to rub
the bruise, but to keep her path.

A thing patent to the eye of every man who turned an appraising look
upon Linda always had been one of steadfast loyalty. You could depend
upon her. She was the counterpart of her father; and Doctor Strong had
been loved by other men. Wherever he had gone he had been surrounded.
His figure had been one that attracted attention. When he had spoken,
his voice and what he had to say had commanded respect. And then there
had emanated from him that peculiar physical charm which gives such
pleasing and distinguished personality to a very few people in this
world. This gift too had descended to Linda. She could sit and look
straight at you with her narrow, interested eyes, smile faintly, and
make you realize what she thought and felt without opening her lips.
John did not feel very well acquainted with the girl who had dominated
the recent dinner party, but he did see that she was attractive, that
both Peter Morrison and Henry Anderson had been greatly amused and very
much entertained by her. He had found her so interesting himself that he
had paid slight attention to Eileen's pouting.

Tonight he was forced to study Eileen, for the sake of his own comfort
to try to conciliate her. He was uncomfortable because he was unable
to conduct himself as Eileen wished him to, without a small sickening
disgust creeping into his soul. Before the evening was over he became
exasperated, and ended by asking flatly: "Eileen, what in the dickens is
the matter with you?"

It was a new tone and a new question on nerves tensely strung.

"If you weren't blind you'd know without asking," retorted Eileen hotly.

"Then I am 'blind,' for I haven't the slightest notion. What have I
done?"

"Isn't it just barely possible," asked Eileen, "that there might be
other people who would annoy and exasperate me? I have not hinted that
you have done anything, although I don't know that it's customary for a
man calling on his betrothed to stop first for a visit with her sister."

"For the love of Mike!" said John Gilman. "Am I to be found fault with
for crossing the lawn a minute to see how Linda's wild garden is coming
on? I have dug and helped set enough of those plants to justify some
interest in them as they gro