“I’ve got her coming. She’s mine if I don’t make a misstep.”
Janette began to laugh, and her merriment increased until she almost gasped for breath. Indeed, she seemed to lose her strength to such an extent that Tucker hurried to offer his support, and a moment later they found themselves on the secluded seat behind the palms.
CHAPTER VIII.
HUSH MONEY.
Two of the rooms of the old house had been converted into one, which was now the dance room of Meadwold. This was thrown open, and the alluring strains of the orchestra brought the young people flocking to the polished floor. Having left Mabel Ditson for a moment, Buckhart hastened to look for her at the first strains of the dreamy waltz, and was filled with consternation on discovering her just whirling onto the floor with Claxton. Some one touched Brad on the arm as he stood glowering after the lucky Virginian.
“Don’t give yourself away like that,” said the voice of Barbara Midhurst. “Why, you look ready to eat some one up.”
“I see a gent from Virginia that I feel it my solemn duty to assassinate,” growled the Westerner.
“Is Mabel Ditson the only girl here?”
“She is sure the only one for me,” admitted Brad.
“Haven’t you any finesse?”
“I don’t know. Down in Texas we don’t run to that a great deal.”