leton key in my pocket--it will
unlock almost anything. You ought to have one."

"We have never needed it," she responded coldly, quickly preceding
him.

She tapped softly on the door.

"Oh, you're in, after all!" she exclaimed in a voice of sweet
surprise. "They said you had gone out."

"I have been here since dinner.--How do you do, Mr. Randolph! Are
you quite well again?"

"Shouldn't know I had ever been sick--except for the doctor's
bill!" he replied. "Now, how about this light, Miss Sterling? Do
you find the addition in the way?"

"Why, of course, it isn't quite so pleasant," she admitted; "but I
don't mind it very much."

"I think it would make things a little better to put a window in,
say about here."

"Oh, that would be lovely!" she cried.

"I will suggest it, at any rate. I never like to spoil one room
for the sake of another." He ran his eyes over the wall. "We
might make it one broad window, here and in the room below, to
match the one on the first floor--it wouldn't be a bad plan. We'll
see." He turned to go, then halted and looked at his watch.

"I'm afraid you stay in too much. Miss Sterling," he said
carelessly. "Suppose you put on your things and come for a ride.
It is very mild out."

"Oh, thank you!" The red rushed to her cheeks. "I'll be ready in a
minute."

Left alone, Juanita Sterling hastily brought out hat and coat. Her
heart was pounding with excitement and--yes, joy! She chided
herself in no uncertain words.

"Little fool!" she muttered. "He wishes to ask questions about the
Home, questions that I am better able to answer than Polly--that is
all! He is engaged to Blanche Puddicombe--remember that, and don't
be a--dear, dear, where are those gray gloves! Oh!" as the needed
articles were brought to sight.

She ran downstairs and directly out of the big door, meeting no one.

As the car rolled up the avenue she felt a delicious sense of
freedom. She remarked upon the changing foliage and the unusual
warmth of the day, the man at her side making only brief assents.

"That Dragon," he finally broke out, "didn't mean to let the
Princess be seen to-day!"

Miss Sterling met his whimsical look with puzzled eyes. Then, as
the meaning dawned, "Oh!" she cried, a little blushing laugh
keeping the word company.

"Do you always lock your door when you go away?"

"Never," she answered,--"then or at any time; we are not allowed to
lock our rooms."

"She told me y