As Viola was about to enter the house she chanced to look down the street and saw Minnie Webb approaching. She looked so thoroughly downcast that Viola was surprised.
“Hello, Minnie!” she exclaimed pleasantly. “Anything new or startling?”
“Nothing,” was the somewhat listless reply. “Is there anything new here?” and Minnie Webb's face showed a momentary interest.
“I can't say that there is,” returned Viola. She paused for a moment. “Won't you come in?”
“I don't think so-not to-day,” stammered the other girl. And then as she looked at Viola her face began to flush. “I—I don't feel very well. I have a terrible headache. I think I'll go home and lie down,” and she hurried on without another word.
“There is certainly something wrong with Minnie,” speculated Viola, as she looked after her friend. “I wonder if it is on account of LeGrand Blossom.”
She did not know how much Minnie Webb was in love with the man who had been her father's confidential clerk and who was now in charge of Mr. Carwell's business affairs, and, not knowing this, she could, of course, not realize under what a strain Minnie was now living with so many suspicions against Blossom.
Divesting herself of her street dress for a more simple gown, Viola inquired of the maid whether Colonel Ashley was in the house. When informed that he had gone fishing with Shag, the girl, with a little gesture of impatience, took her seat near a window to look over some mail that had come during her absence.
As she glanced up after reading a belated letter of sympathy she saw, alighting from his car which had stopped in front of The Haven, Captain Gerry Poland. He caught sight of her, and waved his hand.
“Oh, dear!” exclaimed Viola. “If he hadn't seen me I could have said I was not at home, but now—”