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"Tochatti?" Anstice was surprised "Was she to blaether" Chloe could be just, it seemed, even in the midst of her sorrow "I will tell you what happened As perhaps you know, Cherry was to have been one of Iris Wayne's bridesmaids, and at her own request Tochatti hadall muslin and lace She had spent days over it--she embroiders wonderfully, and when it was done it was perfectly exquisite She finished it last evening, and Cherry insisted on a dress rehearsal She was to pay -room just before dinner, and it seems that when she was quite ready Tochatti slipped downstairs to find Hagyard and ad Cherry alone in the roo-table"

She paused

"I think I understand," said Anstice quietly "Cherry took up a candle to get a better view of her pretty frock, and----"

"Not exactly," Chloe interrupted him "She leaned forward, it seelass--you know children are fond of seeing theine, she leaned too close to the candle and her sleeve caught fire"

"She cried out?"

"Yes--luckily we all heard her" Through all her nant , and Tochatti beat out the flames with her hands"

"With her hands? Is she burnt, too, then?"

"Yes--I believe so" Chloe's tone expressed no pity "She tied up her hand--the left one--herself, and says it is nothing ate the woman's hurt before he left the house "Well--and what then?"

"When we got the flames under we found that Cherry had fainted, and we telephoned at once for you" She stopped short, taken aback by the strange expression on his face

"Yes--and I wish to God I'd heard your call!" Anstice bit his lip savagely; and Chloe, unco but compassionate, hastened on with her story

"You couldn't help being ill! Iris toldthe fireworks--and then when my brother and Iris came down you were too ill to coht hiarded her question--possibly did not hear it