VALLEY

232 RAINBOW VALLEYbreathless.An atmosphere of stress and passion hungabout her like a garment."Why aren't you in bed, Rosemary?" demandedEllen."Come in here," said Rosemary intensely.to tellyou something."W IwantEllen composedly removed her wraps and overshoes,and followed her sister into the warm, fire-lightedroom. She stood with her hand on the table andwaited. She was looking very handsome herself, inher own grim, black-browed style. The new blackvelvet dress, with its train and V-neck, which she hadmade purposely for the party, became her stately, massivefigure.She wore coiled around her neck the richheavy necklace of amber beads which was a familyheirloom. Her walk in the frosty air had stung hercheeks into a glowing scarlet.But her steel-blue eyeswere as icy and unyielding as the sky of the winternight. She stood waiting in a silence which Rosemarycould break only by a convulsive effort"Ellen, Mr. Meredith was here this evening."''Yes?""And and he asked me to marry him."Of course you"So I expected."No."refused him?""Rosemary." Ellen clenched her hands and tookan involuntary step forward. "Do you mean to tellme that you accepted him ?""No no."