ss Sallie, Grace and Barbara in the tea garden. Maud and the Count de Sonde

Chinese and Japanese tea gardens. He told tales of many lands and

ie. Mr. Warren and Mrs. De Lancey Smythe had joined them, without Marian. Mr. Warren was looking for Maud. But Bab wondered

ed the widow abruptly, look

ar gaze. She twirled her parasol, looked annoyed then

e got this morning had

," snapped her mother. "She is entirely t

over toward Maud and the count. Mrs. De Lancey Smythe seized this opportunity to say a few words in favor of the Count de Sonde, for it was evident that Mr. Warr

o their hotel, Mr. Duval occupied a seat in the Stuart automobile. Moreover, when he said good-bye on the hotel veranda, he carried w

. She knew the widow had not yet returned. Bab found the number of Marian's room from

dle of a long narrow passage, an

unks in the tiny chamber which overlooked a court yard. The room was very close and hot. Mar

ama would have three fits if she knew you had seen this room. I am glad you have come

at her with q

"And I haven't anything really definite to tell you. But, oh Barbara, I have a suspicion that something ma

mystified, hardly

d her new friend. "Do you mean that someth

Forget what I have said, if you can. But for goodness' sake, don't mention to Mama that I have talked with you. I sometimes wonder what will become of us. Things can't go

apped in a long dark cloak, and appeared to be trying to leave the hotel by stealth. Bab drew back into one end of the corridor until the widow had disappeared, then she walked slowly

ng the beauty of the night. Maud and the Count

Mr. Stuart. "I understand that there is a sw

" exclaimed Miss Sa

een too clever for them. However, they have traced her to the Beach, but among the hundreds of tourists they have lost th

commented Ruth. "By the way where is Monsieur Duval? H

e excused," replied Mr. Stuart. "He sa

," remarked Mollie,

ng our pet aversion Mrs.

ward the appr

ware that they were under the observation of the

flitted over his face. His lips moved, the widow gave a half frightened look, then her expression of absorption changed to one o

n which she had seen the widow wrapped a short time before. Had Mrs. De Lancey Smythe gone to meet the Frenchman, and, if so why did she not do so openly? Suppose Mrs. De Lancey Smythe were an imposto

ed Papa to let me give a masked ball before we go back to New York. There are a number of smart people here at Palm Beach, and

have never arranged about our picnic to-morrow. Don't you think it would be fun

greed Maud. "Don't y

plied the little count,

ie, naughtily to Barbara, under

returned Bab in an undertone. Whereu

zza, and came slowly toward the group. Her eyes still

And the invitation, of course, had to include Marian's mother. "I am sorry you h

rched her face. "Perhaps the climate of Palm Beach does not ag

hat I like or dislike, Mr.

sisted the Frenchman with a s

turned Marian coldly, turnin