Cartwell stood in silence for a moment, his lips compressed, his eyes
inscrutable.

Then, "I've met her at last," he said. "It makes me believe in Fate."

Katherine's pretty lips parted in amazement.

"Goodness! Are you often taken this way!" she gasped.

"Never before!" replied Cartwell serenely. "Jack said she'd broken her
engagement to DeWitt because of her illness, so it's a fair war!"

"Kut-le!" exclaimed Katherine. "Don't talk like a yellow-backed novel!
It's not a life or death affair."

"You can't tell as to that," answered Cartwell with a curious little
smile. "You mustn't forget that I'm an Indian."

And he turned to greet the two men who were mounting the steps.




CHAPTER II

THE CAUCASIAN WAY

When Rhoda entered the dining-room some of her pallor seemed to have left
her. She was dressed in a gown of an elusive pink that gave a rose flush
to the marble fineness of her face.