"The poor chap died. He left the little family something. I have conserved it so it brings Stella in an income; and I'm the kiddies' guardian. There'll be something for them from the grandfather some day. Cute little beggars they are.
"Of course, I left the whole business in the hands of a capable lawyer when I came away. But I had to run from Stella. Jove! she'd talk one to death. And, to tell the truth, because Jerry left the kiddies in my care she's inclined to think I ought to absorb her into the contract, too. She even started a report that I was going to marry her, and some of my old college chums thought we were married. But not much! Stella's got no chance with me."
"Oh, Frank!" the Red Cross nurse breathed, with drooping head. "Oh! Oh! Oh!"
His arm was around her again.
"What is it, sweet girl?" he asked anxiously. "Tell me, darling."
"I can't! I won't! I've been so wicked," gasped Belinda, sobbing again. "I've thought such terrible things of you, Frank! Terrible things!"
"You couldn't!" he declared cheerfully. "At any rate, we understand each other now."
"Yes. But—Frank——"
"What is it, Belinda?" drawing her still closer.
"Oh—nothing! Nothing! Only I—I——Oh, I'm so happy!" she replied with a sigh of ecstasy.