Page:Man's Country (1923).pdf/218



UT Fay met him at the door in her jauntiest riding costume—the linen one with white boots—and wearing a flat-crowned panama hat with a blue-and-white striped band and a dashing roll to the narrow brim.

"Oh, George!" she effervesced. "I've just prevailed upon Sir Brian to stay and dine with us tonight, riding togs and all. We've had such a jolly afternoon that I simply couldn't give him up."

Although the thought of a stranger at his hearth-side tonight was as the thought of salt in an open and sensitive wound, what could the husband do? His was not the heart to damp such beautiful, glowing ardor as his wife's, and besides—Sir Brian! What was there about that man to make George Judson instantly brace and preen himself like a fighting cock?

"Perfectly fine of you to accept, Sir Brian." Stepping forward, he offered a hearty hand.

"Awfully kind of you and all that sort of thing," smiled Sir Brian.

Now it was perfectly true that Judson was glad to see more of Sir Brian. But tonight! It