e felt so embarrassed at
Kenneth's demonstrations of affection.

"How are you, dear?" she murmured, when at last she could find words.

She had not yet heard the sound of his beloved voice, and when at last
he answered her it seemed to her ears only like an echo of its former
self, so exhausted and wearied was he by what he had gone through.

"Very tired, sweetheart," he replied huskily. "I shall need a long
rest."

She led the way into the house and up the stairs, where everything had
been so elaborately prepared for his welcome. In the bedroom she
pointed with pride to the real Valenciennes lace coverlet put on in his
honor, and showed him the dressing-gown and slippers so lovingly laid
out. He looked at everything, but made no comment. She half expected
a few words of praise, but none were forthcoming. While affectionately
demonstrative he was unusually reticent. She wondered what worry he
could have on his mind to make him act so strangely and suddenly
Keralio's words of warning came to her mind. Was there a side to his
life of which she knew nothing? Were his thoughts elsewhere, even
while he was with her? Quickly there came a look of dismay and
anxiety, which he was not slow to notice. Instantly on his guard, he
murmured in a low tone:

"Forgive me, dear, I can't talk now. I'm so tired I can hardly keep my
eyes open."

Instantly her apprehension was forgotten in her desire to make him
comfortable.

"That's right, dear. You must be dead with fatigue. You'll take a
nice nap and when you wake up it will be time for dinner. I've planned
a nice little party to celebrate your return--only a few intimates--Mr.
Parker is coming, and Wilbur Steell, and a young man named Dick
Reynolds, an acquaintance of Wilbur's. You won't mind such old
friends, will you?"

He shook his head.

"No, indeed. I'm very tired, now, but I'll be all right in a few
minutes."

"Of course you will," she smiled, as she removed the handsome lace
coverlet from the bed. "No one will disturb you. My darling hubbie
can sleep as sound as a top, and, when he wakes, we'll talk a terrible
lot, won't we?" Looking up roguishly, as she smoothed his pillow for
him, she added shyly: "There are two pillows here now. There has been
only one while you were away----"

For the first time he seemed to evince interest in what she was saying.
His eyes flashed behind the blue spectacles, and his hands trembled, as
he quickly made a step