"I shoved over that thing marked 'swell.' I sure will have to speak to Jerry about this. I'm stuck on this 'swell' thing. Hurry up!" Noticing Laura's white, anxious-looking face, she exclaimed sympathetically: "Gee! you look pale! I'll just bet you and Will had a fight. He always gets the best of you, doesn't he, dearie? Listen. Don't you think you can ever get him trained? I almost threw Jerry down the stairs the other night, and he came right back with a lot of American beauties and a cheque. I told him if he didn't look out, I'd throw him downstairs every night. He's getting too d----d independent, and it's got me nervous." Sinking into a seat, she exclaimed, with a sigh: "Oh, dear, I s'pose I will have to go back on the stage." "In the chorus?" inquired Laura quietly. Elfie looked up in mock indignation. "Well, I should say not. I'm going to give up my musical career. Charlie Burgess is putting on a new play, and he says he has a part in it for me if I want to go back. It isn't much, but very important--sort of a pantomime part. A lot of people talk about me and just at the right moment I walk across the stage and make an awful hit. I told Jerry that if I went on he'd have to come across with one of those Irish crochet lace gowns. He fell for it. Do you know, dearie, I think he'd sell out his business just to have me back on the stage for a couple of weeks, just to give box parties every night for my entrance and exits." Laura went over to the sofa, picked up the candy box, placed it on the desk, and took the telegram from the table. Then, taking her friend by the hand, she led her over to the sofa. "Elfie," she said seriously. "Yes, dear." "Come over here and sit down." "What's up?" "Do you know what I'm going to ask of you?" Elfie took a seat opposite. With a wry face, she said: "If it's a touch, you'll have to wait until next week." "No," smiled Laura; "just a little advice." Her friend looked relieved. "Well, that's cheap," she laughed; "and the Lord knows you need it. What's happened?" Laura took the crumpled and torn telegram which Brockton had left on the table, and handed it to her companion. Elfie put the two pieces together, and read it very carefully. When she reached the middle of the despatch she gave an exclamation of surprise and looked up quickly at her companion. Then, finishing it, she laid it down. "Well?" she demanded. Rather at a loss how to explain, Laura flushed and stammered: "Will suspected. There was something in the paper about Mr. Madison--the telegram came--then we had a row." "Serious?" "Yes. Do you remember what I told you about that letter--the one Will made me write--I mean to John--telling him what I had done?" "Yes, you burned it." "I tried to lie to Will--he wouldn't have it that way. He seemed to know. He was furious." "Did he hit you?"