_."

Beatrice felt a queer joyous lift inside her as of some weight that had
gone. In a single breath Johnnie had blown away the mists of
misunderstanding that for weeks had clouded her vision. Her heart went
out to Clay with a rush of warm emotion. The friend she had distrusted
was all she had ever believed him. He was more--a man too stanch to
desert under pressure any one who had even a slight claim on him.

"I want to meet her. Will you bring her to see me this afternoon,
Johnnie?" she asked.

His face was one glad grin. "I sure will. Y'betcha, by jollies."

He did.

To Beatrice, busy writing a letter, came Jenkins some hours later.

"A young--person--to see you, Miss Whitford."

He said it with a manner so apologetic that it stressed his opinion of
the social status of the visitor.

"What kind of a person?"

"A young woman, Miss. From the country, I tyke it."

"She didn't give you a card?"

"No, Miss. She came with the person Mr. Whitford took on to 'elp with
the work houtside."

"Oh! Show them both up. And have tea sent in, Jenkins."

Kitty's shy eyes lifted apprehensively to those of this slim young
patrician so beautifully and simply gowned. Instantly her fears fled.
Beatrice moved swiftly to her with both hands outstretched.

"I'm so glad to meet you."

She kissed the young wife with unaccustomed tenderness. For the
Colorado girl had about her a certain modesty that was disarming, an
appeal of helplessness Beatrice could not resist.

Kitty, in the arms of her hostess, wept a few tears. She had been
under a strain in anticipating the ordeal of meeting Johnnie's
mistress, and she had discovered her to be a very sweet, warm-hearted
girl.

As for Johnnie, he had a miserably happy half-hour. He had brought his
hat in with him and he did not know how to dispose of it. What he did
do was to keep it revolving in his hands. This had to be abandoned
when Miss Whitford handed him a quite unnecessary cup of tea and a
superfluous plate of toasted English muffins. He wished his hands had
not been so big and red and freckled. Also he had an uncomfortable
suspicion that his tow hair was tousled and uncombed in spite of his
attempts at home to plaster it down.

He declined sugar and cream because for some reason it seemed easier to
say "No'm" than "Yes," though he always took both with tea. And he
disgraced himself by scalding his tongue and failing to suppress the
pain. Finally the