THE DISTURBING CHARM

BY BERTA RUCK

Author of "In Another Girl's Shoes," "The Three of Hearts," "The Years for Rachel," etc.

ILLUSTRATED BY
EDWARD C. CASWELL

NEW YORK
DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY
1919

Copyright, 1919
By DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY, Inc.

VAIL-BALLOU COMPANY
BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK

TO
THE EVER GAY
AND GALLANT MEMORY
OF
WARREN FENN-SMITH
Second Lieutenant Royal Flying Corps
SHOT DOWN WITH HIS OBSERVER IN ACTION
JANUARY 18, 1918, AGED 18

Here he found himself kneeling on the carpet at Olwen's feet.

CONTENTS

PART I
CHAPTER I. The Coming of the Charm
CHAPTER II. The Accepting of the Charm
CHAPTER III. The Launching of the Charm
CHAPTER IV. The Charm Begins to Work
CHAPTER V. Further Plans for the Charm
CHAPTER VI. The Clutching of the Charm
CHAPTER VII. The Spreading of the Charm
CHAPTER VIII. The First Engagement by the Charm
CHAPTER IX. Unforeseen Effect of the Charm
CHAPTER X. Divagations of the Charm
CHAPTER XI. The Feasting of the Charm
CHAPTER XII. Moonlight and the Charm
CHAPTER XIII. Wild-fire and the Charm
CHAPTER XIV. Clouds Upon the Charm
CHAPTER XV. The Losing of the Charm
CHAPTER XVI. The Counter-charm
CHAPTER XVII. Drop-scene

PART II
CHAPTER I. The Charm Neglected
CHAPTER II. The Last Allies
CHAPTER III. Recovery of the Charm
CHAPTER IV. The Voice of the Charmer
CHAPTER V. The Best Girl-friend
CHAPTER VI. The Charm Remembered
CHAPTER VII. Petrol and the Charm
CHAPTER VIII. Rations and the Charm
CHAPTER IX. Champagne and the Charm
CHAPTER X. Her Bridal Night
CHAPTER XI. His Bridal Night
CHAPTER XII. Shrapnel and the