At that Janice laughed outright. She thought highly of the young civil engineer, and she considered herself a close enough friend to ask, bluntly:
"What ever is the matter with you, Frank Bowman? You're acting ridiculously."
He came nearer to her and whispered: "Where's Mrs. Drugg?"
Janice motioned behind her, and her face paled. What had happened?
"I—I declare I don't know how to tell her," murmured the young man, his hand actually trembling.
"Tell her what?" gasped Janice.
"Or even that I ought to tell her," added Frank Bowman, shaking his head.
Janice seized him by the lapel of his coat and tried to shake him.
"What do you mean? What are you talking about?" she demanded.
"What is the matter, Janice?" called 'Rill's low voice from the back.
"Never mind! I can attend to this customer," Janice answered gaily.
"It's Frank Bowman."