red, well groomed and immaculately
dressed. For a moment he stood irresolute on the threshold, just
looking at her. There was obvious embarrassment on the part of each of
them. Laura went toward him, with hand extended.

"Hello, Laura," he said pleasantly.

"I'm--I'm glad to see you, Will."

"Thank you."

"Won't you sit down?" she said timidly.

"Thank you again," he smiled.

Quickly regaining his ease of manner, he put his hat and cane on the
table, took off his overcoat, which he placed on the back of the
armchair, and sat down.

"It's rather cold, isn't it?" said Laura, taking a seat opposite him.

"Just a bit sharp."

"You came with Elfie in the car?"

"She picked me up on Broadway; we lunched together."

"By appointment?" she asked quickly.

"I'd asked her," he answered dryly.

"Well?" she demanded.

"Well, Laura," he replied calmly.

"She told you?"

He shrugged his shoulders carelessly.

"Not a great deal. What do you want to tell me?"

Avoiding his direct glance, she said very simply:

"Will, I'm ready to come back."

With an effort, the broker concealed his sense of triumph and
satisfaction. Rising quickly, he went up to her. Taking her hand, he
said tenderly:

"I'm mighty glad of that, Laura. I've missed you like the very devil."

Visibly embarrassed, she asked timidly:

"Do we--do we have to talk it over much?"

"Not at all unless you want to. I understand--in fact, I always have."

"Yes," she said wearily, "I guess you always did. I didn't."

"It will be just the same as it was before, you know."

"Yes--of course----"

"I didn't think it was possible for me to miss anyone the way I have
you. I've been lonely."

She smiled faintly:

"It's nice in you to say that."

Drawing back a few steps he cast a hurried glance around the room.

"You'll have to move out of here right away. This place is enough to
give one the colly-wabbles. If you'll be ready to-morrow, I'll send my
man over to help you take care of the luggage."

"To-morrow will be all right, thank you," she replied.

He put his hand in his pocket and took out a big roll of money. Peeling
off five yellow-backed bills and placing them on the table, he said:

"And you'll need some money in the meantime. I'll leave this here."

"You seem to have come prepared," she smiled. "Did Elfie and you plan
all this out?"

He chuckled as he replied:

"Not planned--just hoped. I think you'd better go to some nice hotel