She has been riding." Frank mopped his brow in silence for a little.

Then he said with the half-mischievous smile which in Lucy Friend's eyes was one of his chief physical "points." "How you and Philip have toned her down!" "Oh, not I!" said Lucy, her modesty distressed.

"I've always admired her so! Of course--I was sometimes surprised--" Geoffrey laughed.
"I daresay we shall all be surprised a good many times yet ?" Then he moved a little closer to the small person, who was becoming everybody's confidante.

"Do you mind telling me something--if you know it ?" he said, lowering his voice.
"Ask me--but I can't promise!" "Do you think Helena has quite made up her mind not to marry Dale ?" Mrs.Friend hesitated.
"I don't know--" "But what do you think ?" She lifted her gentle face, under his compulsion, and slowly, pitifully shook her head.
Geoffrey drew a long breath.
"Then she oughtn't to ask him here! The poor little fellow is going through the tortures of the damned!" "Oh, I'm so sorry.

Isn't there anything we can do ?" cried Mrs.Friend.
"Nothing--but keep him away.