"Quite so. There must always be some one of our class to whom people
can look, whenever they suspect that we are not democratic. Besides,
I have always fancied surgery." She told briefly of her work.
"Why, you are a famous person!" declared the athlete.
"You make me ashamed; I do nothing at all but amuse myself."
"Which is quite as well, Mr. Fort," the mother assured him. "I tried
my best to keep Mona out of this; a social conquest is what I had
planned for her. But she had set her mind on surgery; so--" And she
left the rest to Fort's imagination.
A moment later Billie heard a flying-machine approaching. Shortly it
came near enough for her to see that it was greatly like a yacht,
painted white all over, and possessing exceptionally tall masts. The
canvas was already unfurled and the vessel descending under the
control of some unusually powerful wings.
"Mr. Powart's official boat," Mona explained to Fort.
The craft landed softly on the edge of the lawn, some distance away.
The three on the terrace did not stir from their places as Powart,
accompanied by eight men in uniform, stepped swiftly down a short
ladder and strode rapidly to the house. The eight guards, each of
whom carried a brown leather box, like a motion-picture camera, took
up unobtrusive positions near at hand. These cases, however, were
not used for taking photographs; Billie thought them more like some
kind of condensed rapid-fire guns.
Before Powart got within ear-shot, Mona leaned toward Fort. "This is
my fiance," she said with an evident effort; and when she
straightened up her hands were trembling.
Fort took it astonishingly well. He concealed any hint of his
feelings as the chairman was introduced. Powart gave him a single
penetrating glance, then advanced in his sure, self-confident way,
and took both the girl's hands in his own. She remained in her seat.
"I am very glad to see you looking so well. Do you feel fully
recovered, Mona?"
"Yes, thank you," coolly. "Or perhaps I should say, thanks to Mr.
Fort, here."
Powart turned his keen gray eyes upon the athlete. "If there is any
way I can show you how much I appreciate this--"
Fort waved his hand jauntily. "Wait till I do something that costs
me a real effort!"
Something in his voice caught the chairman's ear. He scrutinized the
athlete more closely; and Billie found herself comparing the two.
They were both big fellows; otherwise there was no resemblance. The
one was as dark as the other was blond; moreover, he was somewhat
heavier than Fort, and of the sort which must be dressed
immaculately at all times. His good looks were due to the clean-cut
lines of his face; for his eyes were stern and his mouth very
strong.
If the one was impulsive, the other was sure. Fort loved to take a
chance; the other, would not act until he was absolutely certain.
Billie decided that he was the steadier, the more reliable of the
two; also, the least likable, for that very reason. Infallibility is
a fearsome thing.
The mother arose with some remark about going into the gardens, and
Fort offered his arm. Powart took their going purely as a matter of
course, and continued to stand--he seldom sat down--directly in
front of Mona.
"I hope," said he in his direct fashion, "that you can see your way
clear to consider wearing this," and he produced a small, blue
velvet case from an inner pocket. And next moment Billie was peeking
over Mona's shoulder, so to speak, to see a ring made of some
milk-white metal, set with a single oval stone of a blood-red hue.
The surgeon gave a tiny gasp at the sight of it.
"Bribery and corruption!" she cried, and started to slip the ring on
to the middle finger of her left hand. Before it was done, however,
she paused.
"I almost forgot." She gave Powart a sidelong glance. "Last night I
thought it over, and--Well, you know how women are about changing
their minds."
"Surely you haven't completely altered your opinion of me?"
incredulously, rather than anxiously.
"No; I just want more time to think it over, that's all. It is not
that I think less of you than before, but somehow, since having such
a close call--I haven't quite as much confidence in my ability to
meet your expectations." This as though she had worded it
beforehand.
Powart showed little concern. "Of course I am sorry; but perhaps it
is just as well. Beyond a doubt you will soon come to see it as
clearly as you did the other day." He paused as the girl slowly
extended the ring to him. "Why not wear it anyhow, Mona?"
"I'd rather not--not until I am sure. It's a dreadful temptation,
though!"
And Powart had no choice other than to reflect her smile with one of
his own, while he quietly slipped the little case back into his
pocket.
Almost with the same motion he took out a watch. "You must excuse
me. Business of state, as usual."
"Certainly," as she rose. She gave a quick glance around, then shook
her head playfully as Powart took a single eager step toward her.
"Next time," she said; and he bit his lip, gripped her hand tightly,
and strode away. In a minute he and his guards were back in the
yacht, and in three minutes out of sight.
By that time Fort and Mona's mother had returned. There was a quick
exchange of glances between the two women, and then the mother
excused herself and went in the house. Fort suddenly became
awkwardly self-conscious.
"Well, I must be going." He paused; a gleam of mischief flashed into
his eyes--a kind of final come-back. "Next time I rescue you, young
lady, I shall let you get hurt ever so much worse, so that I can
have an excuse to call more than I have so far!"
His face sobered swiftly. "I nearly forgot. May I congratulate you
upon your--engagement? Mr. Powart is a very fine man."
"Thank you; so he is. Really, I have lately come to wonder if I am
good enough for him." Then, significantly: "The date has been
postponed indefinitely. It is not impossible that I may give him
up."
Fort stared incredulously for a second, then saw that she meant it.
The blood rushed to his face, leaving him white and shaky with
excitement. He made a sudden move toward the girl, checking himself
just as suddenly.
"Well!" His usually easy speech nearly failed him. But he laughed as
boldly as ever. "I am convinced that you are far from being a well
woman, Miss Mona! I shall have to call--often!"
And with a short but exceedingly intense gaze of infinite meaning,
he wheeled, clapped his cap to his head, dashed to his machine and
was gone.