"
"For goodness sake, Addy,--" she began, and then: "In what way?
Hurry up! Tell me before she comes down. Isn't he a--a gentleman?"
"Oh, yes,--I suppose he is. He's a most engaging chap; he certainly
seems well-bred, and he's darned good-looking. That isn't what I
mean." He hesitated a moment and then blurted out: "Does Alix know
POSITIVELY that he was in the American Ambulance? I mean, has she
anybody else's word for it except his?"
Mary Blythe stared at her brother, her lips parted. Then her eyes
narrowed suddenly.
"Don't--don't you think he's straight, Addy?" she half-whispered.
"I confess I'm puzzled. I never dreamed of doubting him when
I went there. But I've been doing a lot of thinking since I saw
him, and,--by George, Mary, I'm up a tree. Good Lord, if he should
be--well, if he should be putting something over on Alix, he ought
to be shot, that's all. Do you think she's in love with him?"
"I don't know. She's interested in him, I'm sure, but two or three
times I have caught the queerest little look in her eyes when she
is speaking of him,--almost as if she were afraid of something. I
can't describe it. It's just--well, the only thing I can think of
is that it's kind of pleading, if you know what I mean."
"Groping, I guess is the word you're after."
"Exactly. But go on,--tell me."
"It won't do to say anything about this to Alix, Mary," said he
firmly.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197