Rose regarded the speaker keenly.
Even with a sad feeling tugging at her heart, she could not but understand that it was sour grapes with Janet Williams. She had once tried desperately to win the attention of the young engineer.
"But, Janet, August may be fatally injured," said Rose, after a moment, in a faltering voice.
"Which would not alter the status of the case in the least."
"Are you heartless, Janet?"
"No. But—"
[Illustration: WITH A LITTLE SHRIEK SHE RUSHED INTO HIS OPEN ARMS AND
SEALED HER WELCOME ON HIS LIPS]
A bounding step on the stair cut short the words of Miss Williams. The next instant the door was flung open and a man crossed the threshold, and, hat in hand, confronted the two girls.
His face was somewhat pale, yet his lips were wreathed in a smile. Rose sat for an instant staring at the man as though about to faint, so astonished was she.
Then with a little shriek she rushed into his open arms and sealed her welcome on his lips.