"Telegram, Miss," she said. "An immediate answer wanted."
Hadly covered Venna's confusion by walking over to Stella, taking the telegram and handing it to Venna, who mechanically took it.
"Thank you, Stella. I will call you when I have the answer ready."
The maid quietly withdrew.
Hastily Venna opened the telegram.
As she read, her face paled and the telegram dropped from her trembling hands. Rigid she sat gazing before her with fixed stare.
"Venna! What is it? Tell me!" insisted Hadly.
She did not answer him, but the look of sudden anguish on the girl's face made him take up the telegram and read.
"John Hastings met with serious accident at 2:30 today. Now at the M— Hospital. Come at once. Cannot live many hours."
A sudden look of relief crept into his handsome face, but it was instantly replaced by one of compassion for the girl before him.