Kathleen Ames and two of her young
companions bent their curious gaze in upon them. Absorbed in their
earnest conversation, Carmen and Haynerd had not heard the approach of
the young ladies, who were on a tour of inspection of the house before
supper.

"Reporters for the Social Era, Miss Ames," explained Haynerd, hastily
answering the unspoken question, while he made a courteous bow.

But Kathleen had not heard him. "What--you!" she cried, instantly
recognizing Carmen, and drawing back. "How dared you! Oh!"

"What is it, dear?" asked one of the young ladies, as her eyes roved
over Carmen's tense, motionless figure.

"You--creature!" cried Kathleen, spurting her venom at Carmen, while
her eyes snapped angrily and her hands twitched. "When the front door
is closed against you, you sneak in through the back door! Leave this
house, instantly, or I shall have you thrown into the street!"

"Why, Kathleen dear!" exclaimed one of her companions. "She is only a
reporter!"

"She is a low, negro wench!" cried Kathleen maliciously. "She comes
from a brothel! She foisted herself upon society, and was discovered
and kicked out! Her father is a dirty negro priest, and her mother a
low--"

Haynerd rushed to the maddened girl and clapped his hand over her
mouth. "Hush, for God's sake, Miss Ames!" Then, to her companions,
"Take her away!" he pleaded. "And we will leave at once!"

But a house detective, attracted by the loud conversation, had come up
and interposed. At his signal another one approached. "Bring Mr.
Ames," he quietly commanded. "I can not put them out if they have his
permission to remain," he explained to the angry Kathleen.

In a few moments, during which the little group stood tense and quiet,
Ames himself appeared.

"Well?" he demanded. "Ah!" as his eyes lighted upon Carmen. "My little
girl! And--so this is your assistant?" turning inquiringly to Haynerd.
"By George! Her article in last week's Social Era was a corker. But,"
staring from Kathleen to the others, "what's the row?"

"I want that creature put out of the house!" demanded Kathleen,
trembling with rage and pointing to Carmen.

"Tut, tut," returned Ames easily. "She's on business, and has my
permission to remain. But, by George! that's a good joke," winking at
Haynerd and breaking into a loud laugh. "You put one over on us there,
old man!" he said.

"Father!" Scalding tears of anger and humiliation were streaming down
Kathleen's face. "If she re