Press, as well as a sort of prot�g� of Dick, had come for data for an article on California fish-ponds, and Dick mentally arranged his afternoon’s program for him.

“Got a telegram from Evan,” he told Paula. “Won’t be back till the four o’clock day after to-morrow.”

“And after all my trouble!” she exclaimed. “Now the lilacs will be wilted and spoiled.”

Dick felt a warm glow of pleasure. There spoke his frank, straightforward Paula. No matter what the game was, or its outcome, at least she would play it without the petty deceptions. She had always been that way — too transparent to make a success of deceit.

Nevertheless, he played his own part by a