Page 60 (1/2)

The surroundings had never looked so bare as then, and a sense of the

loneliness of the shabby furnishings filled her The ghastliness of

the arc-lights, the forbidding whiteness of the walls, and the

penetrating odors of the kitchen seeht out by the presence

of a man alone

Mrs Whitney continued to jest, but Gertrude respondedhis supper when the two rose from their table, and

Mrs Whitney led the way toward hi abruptly before hi hastily to rise as he caught

sight of Gertrude

"Will you please be seated?" commanded Mrs Whitney "I insist----"

He sat down "We want only to renored by the engineering departe"

"But, Mrs Whitney, I can't sit if you are to stand," he answered,

greeting Gertrude and her aunt together

"You are an invalid; be seated Nothing but toast?" objected Mrs

Whitney, drawing out a chair and sitting down "Do you expect to mend

broken ribs on toast?"

"I'm well mended, thank you Do I look like an invalid?"

"But we heard you were seriously hurt" He laughed "And want to

suggest Glen Tarn as a health resort"

"Unfortunately, the doctor has discharged me In fact, a broken rib

doesn't entitle a man to a lay-off I hope your sister continues to

i at Gertrude