them in the small private dining room as soon as their play was over. The older gu

model houseboat made of crystal candy. There were flowers, f

side of this table, talking to a group of their friends. Directly after they took their places the tw

d Thornton, whose face was a dull red and whose eyes were lowered. Madge felt a premonition of disaster, an apprehensive shudder passed over her. Flora

wondered what had actuated her to do so. He frowned over the heads of the girls at Alfred Thornton. He tr

te you on your success to-night. There is no doubt about your talent as an ac

answered, fightin

r to whisper to Flora, "Do

er revenge against Madge. Now that she had an unusually good opportunity to put her pl

u could have the temerity to come here to Old Point Com

vement of her body was scarcel

in my story, which is this: Once upon a time there was an officer in the Navy whose name was Robert Morton. He proved himself unworthy to be a naval officer and was dismissed from the service in disgrace an

was stunned by the blow. Then reason returned. White to the lips, sh

arty sat staring in

"but don't attempt to say the story isn't true. I know it to be true b

e company to their feet in alarm. "Your

having an entirely different effect upon the girl she disliked than that which she had anticipated. "My grandfather is an ad

ated Madge brokenly. "Then he is-he is-oh, I am

e you even insinuate anything against my grandfathe

y were for the moment completely taken aback by this sudden turn in affairs. Alfred

s of her hearers, "that I could retaliate, that I could say to you words that would cut into your s

" flung back Flora. "Do so at once, or I will se

by the defiant gleam of eyes that seemed almost to flame. "Do not imagin

cuss the charge Miss Harris has made against my father. It is true that he was once in the Navy, and that

Will you forgive me for having been the

dge within the circle of her

nd walked to the door. Tom Curtis followed her, casting a wrathful glance

door, then Phil's voice rang ou

for discussion. I know that her greatest ambition in life was to find some one who had been his friend, some one who could tell her of him. Ha

Lillian and Eleanor. Three minutes later Flora Harris and Alfred Thornton stood alone in th