Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/50

 her love him in due time. He was sure of it. Yet on two occasions he had observed that she had shown a disposition to flirt skilfully and daringly with every handsome fellow who came her way—and it had distressed him not a little.

He was angry and uneasy this morning, and made up his mind to assert his rights with dignity—and yet with a firmness that would leaye no question as to who was going to be master in his house. He decided to nip Stella's acquaintance with John Graham in the bud on the spot. That he had called for any other reason than to see her, never occurred to him.

When Maggie, Stella's little coal black maid, at length reappeared, she was grinning with more than usual cunning.

"Miss Stella say she be down in a minute," she said with a giggle.

"You've been gone a half hour," Steve answered frowning.

"I spec I is," observed Maggie, continuing to giggle and glance furtively at Steve.

"What's the matter with you?" he asked suspiciously.

"Nuttin."

He held up a quarter and beckoned. She hastened to his side.

"I want us to be good friends."