year at college!" Alix said, lightly. "Can't you let the poor kid
fall in love without yapping about types and biology and the
cosmic urge---"

"Really, Alix, you use extraordinary language!" Anne remonstrated,
glancing at her uncle with outraged dignity. "And I am not aware
that I spoke of biology or the cosmic urge!" But her tone was not
as impersonal as her words, and she was flushed and even agitated.
"Shan't we begin, Uncle Lee?" she asked, patiently. "If Cherry is
just down at the gate there, she'll only be another minute--"

She was interrupted by Cherry herself. The girl came to the porch
door, and as she hesitated there a minute, with her smiling eyes
seeking her father's face, they saw that by one firm, small hand
she drew her lover beside her. Martin Lloyd's smiling face showed
above hers in the lamplight.

"Dad!" said Cherry, with a childish breath. "Dad! I've brought
Martin to supper!"




CHAPTER III


The three at the table did not move for perhaps twenty slow
seconds. Doctor Strickland, who had pushed back his chair, and
whose hands were resting on the table before him, stared at them
steadily. Anne, with a quick little hiss of surprise, smiled