d caught hold of the knob.

Lawson, Janet.

s a soft tone of pleading in her voice. "You see,

ht I heard y

ne sharpen slightly. "To myself. Being cooped up like this for hours on end, I'm glad to hea

n five minutes. Your father is h

could hear the faint tread of footsteps retreating down the hall. With her heart p

her cousin whispered shakily. "What

red back, "you've got to get

n't, Dorothy.

st immediately the cable began to tighten. "Close y

l scream-I'm goi

mpled into a ball and thrust into her cousin's mouth. The seat, with Janet in it, was rising slowly. She caught the paralyzed girl below the knees, steadied her as the crane drew its burden c

herself. "Talk about your thrills! That was worse than my first solo hop, by a long shot." She ran

wn, rumpled the coverlet, made sure that the pillow showed the impression of her hea

ard. Neither Janet nor the crane were in sight. Thankful

o men who entered surprised her in the business of packing the

of these men was the father of the girl she impersonated. Why hadn't she remembered to ask Janet what she called that mysterious father of hers? Father, Papa, Dad, Dad

y dear-"

ave me like this?" she wailed. "Why do you let these people keep me locked in my room? And now they are going to

d her back in the silly way men do when they want to be comforting. "Mr. Laws

in they looked bloodshot enough to pass inspection. "But I don't want to go, Daddy. Please don't let them take me," she begged, her voice

ng to be Mrs. Lawson's secretary. Don't be

a year younger than that when she ran away and married you. I am no lon

ome to Ridgefield with me?" Mr. Lawson spoke for the

and for reasons which appear to be a secret, you keep me locked in my room

been ill, my

doctor been to see me?" H

ing you under obs

ranged, I won't stand for it! The mere fact that you now propose that I act as your wife's secretary proves that you consider me capable. What right have

ted Mr. Jordan. "I've never

from a daughter whom you ship to boarding school at five? You wouldn't even let me visit friends during the holidays. For years at a time you never took the trouble to come and see me. How can you expect love and obedience after years of neglect?" She drew a sobbing breath, then

oing to do about it?" inquired

to that long-suffering wife of yours. Oh, that makes you angry, does it? Well, let me tell you, that you are not half as angry as I am. You can practice your strong-arm methods on defenseless women and get away with it-so

've never heard you speak so rudely to anyone befo

a spark of manhood in your selfish body, you'd thrash this man to within an inch of his life and throw him into the street. Get out of here-both of you!" she cried

nized expression on his face, she saw that at last conscience w

alf an hour, Janet?" His voice was a mere

them and walking over to the window, she threw up the shade and the sash.

thy streaked across the floor and pressed her ear

y home shall be kept separate and distinct. Never again will I allow myself to be placed in a position to be dressed down by my own daughter. There was no comeback either. Every word she sai

as well as a hint of nervousness in his tone. "But when it comes to giving me a thrash

ted Janet's father. "Is the girl

r word for it. She told me this morning that any clever woman or girl for that matter, could twist a man aro

f it." Mr. Jordan said sarcastically. "Bu

erself when she's roused. Let us hope for Janet's sake, that she doe

o more scenes for me, tonight. I wouldn't meet Ja

lights up, the shaded windows of Howard Bright's flat shone a dull golden yellow in the black wall. For seve

indow were Janet and Howard. Just behind them stood a stranger who wore the round, conventional coll

ture, and threw them a kiss. Then she saw

ever after." She sighed. "Uncle Sanborn kept

's belongings into the trunk,

wson." She smiled grimly and went to