“Perhaps they don’t know anything about it, and if they do, they may look upon it as a harmless flirtation.” “Harmless flirtation!” The man laughed. “Knowing Druid as well as you do, I can’t see how you could ever imagine a flirtation with him harmless.” “Oh—well then,” came the answer, “maybe he intends to marry her. He could do a lot worse, you know, than to fall in for some of the Benton money.” “I agree with you, and no doubt he does too, but I know it will take some time before he is free. His wife is suing him for divorce now.” “What!” the other exclaimed. “I never knew he had a wife.” “It isn’t generally known for business reasons. Those theater chappies consider him a more profitable investment unmarried. I happen to know, though, that he married a little chorus girl about six years ago somewhere in the Middle West.” “Where is she now?” “They couldn’t get along together, so,”—and outspread hands finished the sentence. “She’s out on the Coast now, working in pictures, and is interested in someone else—hence, the divorce proceedings.” Howard stepped forth from his place of concealment. His eyes blazed like coals of fire in his gray face. “Benton!” came the disturbed exclamation. “’Sall right, boys.” He smiled feebly. “You didn’t know I was there.” “Oh—I’m sorry, Benton,” Frank Crimmins assured him earnestly as he stepped forward. “I feel like a silly gossiping woman. Please don’t pay any attention to what I’ve said.” “On the contrary, I think you’ve done me a service. You see, I hadn’t any idea that Druid was a married man.” “Didn’t you know that he has been rather friendly with your sister?” “The news of his friendship for my sister has come to me only to-night through three different sources. Now, I am going to get it directly from his own lips,” he announced ominously. Crimmins endeavored to restrain him: “Wait a minute, Benton, don’t make a fool of yourself! You’re not in a condition to see anyone right now—wait until to-morrow.” “I’m going now.” He brushed aside the friendly detaining hand and demanded his things from the coat-boy. “I’ll show him that he can’t juggle with my sister’s reputation and get away with it.” “The hot-headed young idiot,” Crimmins said, as Howard rushed from the club. “I suppose he’ll go up to Druid’s and attempt to mop up the place with him.” “Feel sorry for him if he does,” the other replied with a meaning grin. “He’ll get the worst of it—Druid’s some athlete.” Crimmins was still conscience-stricken. “Perhaps we should have gone with him?” he suggested. “Nonsense! Take my advice and always keep out of other people’s quarrels. Come on, have another ball, and then I’m going to turn in.”