Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-09-10
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
Yes. Willie Macdonald was In love. But
he little dreamed that others had begun.
II not to suspect, to wonder what was
wrong with him.
As for Lilith, her life was almost that
Of toad under harrow. She could not
bring herself to find out what she thought,
or feared, or felt. At last came a day
when she was wound up to the pitch Of
action.
She had slept badly. and. getting up
early, went into the garden. II was q
fresh. sweet morning. albeit autumnal.
The shrubbery was deepening 10 red. gold
and all shades Of brown. l.ilith went
thOughtfully along the ravel paths. when
she stopped short. Willie was leaning
against a tree, shading his eyes with his
hands: his eyes were rivcted upon Mrs.
Drew's windows. He started as Lilith
came near. and his look Of gladncss fed.
'Oh. l beg your pardon-it is your he
said awkwardly.
Then he turned, and prepared to walk
by Lilith's side.
"Ycs, It Is l." she said sharply: but
] did not come to ask you to walk with
me;" and she turned round brusqucly and
walked away.
Her hear. was full. She had 10 confront
one Of the bitter truths OF her young life.
Fool that I have BEEN" she said to
herself, clinching her teeth and turning
her ragc against hcrself-"fOol not to
have seen II all before! He loves her.
That-that boy"-she paused and thought
rancorously Of his youth-"that boy dares
70 love my mother! 1t II prepostcrous.
horrible. unnatural! 1t must be stopped
bef6re she knows IT,"
Then she clinched her hot hands and
made brave resolutions. lie must never
know-she must never know. But the
sooner Willie could he coaxcd TO 60 the
tattcr. That quarter Of an hour spent
by Lilith In the wigwam that morning
was a cruel one. But. as she quietly
came out and composcdly returned to the
house. there was the sense Of victory
gained shilling the quick beating Of her
wild heart.
Breakfast over. Willie strollcd into the
hall, his hands In his pockets. lie felt
unsettled. The plans for the day were
usually made ut breakfast. But Iilith's
peculiar manner this morning In the gar
den had given him u shock.
He went eagerly out upon the terrace.
The great white vases with the heavy
green aloes stood out against the sky ms
they crowned the stone balustradcs. Then
he went down a grass-grown path be-
tween the tall laurcls, a path that led to
the wigwam under the poplar trees.
The wigwam-a matched hut, open In
front opposite a cutting In the hedge
which framed sweet picture Of smiling.
fertile woods and hclds-was furnished
with hammock. a rustic table. and light
easy chairs-woodcn frames slung with
canvas. Willie came upon this suddenly:
aud. as his eyes sought the dark interior.
he hardly realized that the recumbcnt
figure In the hammock was that Of Mrs.
Drew.
He stood for a moment. fearing. won.
dering, abashed. A. his eyes grew accus-
toned TO the dmncss within the wigwam
he saw the lovely little head perchcd on
cushion. the perfect profile he had dream.
ed Of when asleep. and had watched with
admiration while awake. standing out
against the background Of the dark wood.
on wall. ~ II nodded In alabaster. He
saw that the queen Of bis heart was there.
alone, asleep.
He stepped nolsily up the step. his rid.
Ing boots Gathering up the wooden door
Of the wigwam.
Lillian sprang up In the hammock; her
blue eyes were dascd with sleep. She
supported herself BY one OF her fair hands,
the other went up to rub her eyes.
"Oh--dear-mc!' she said drowsIly. |
Then sense and memory grew clearer.
II have bccn--aslecp. It IL you--Mr. |
Macdonald:' She gave one surprlsed look |
at Willie, then slipped down and stood |
opposite him. Il lay down to think out |
vexed question-a regular problem
which has been bOthering me-" .she said, |
with q smile and blush: land, instead
Of thinking. ! fell asleep. Oh. dear. / !
have been dreaming. too! Where 10 LII.
ithY she added. with sudden alarm.
where 10 the child? ! remember now!
! dreamed that she had fallen OF her
horse-I saw that chestnut mare Of hers
careering about on her hind legs. paving
the air. You are sure she IN all right !"
she went on, forgetting her confusion at
having been found thus BY Willie In her
anxiety about Lilith. "Where Ia shey"
Willie speedily Gained her fears, OK.
planning that Lilith had gone to the rec.
tory, accompanied by Mr.. Rawson him.
self.
Mrs. Drew sank into a chair with A
little sigh Of relief, Willie sat himself
oSSsurusS ooWu upou tuc VuBtIC t0OIe.
I'VE have loads Of time" he said de-
terminedly. "Mrs. Drew" he added firm.
~. II came here to have talk with you.
and speak must"
She gave him one curious, inauirins
look, then seated herself. her heart sink.
ing just lhtle.
"Yes" she said doubtfuily, looking
grave.
All the brightness had faded from her
face ut the very idea of his having "a
talk" with her. Willie's hopes-whatsyer
they might be-were disconnected 1T the
very outset.
"Lilith acts a. IL ought to 70 back to
London" he began awkwardly, $50 1
came to ask you II you had commissioned
her to give me my congo"
"I-cOmmissiOn-Lili What do you
mean?" asked Mrs. Drew. Up went her
head with her sensation Of wounded
pride; then. as she thought, "First, my
mother said this. now Lilith," the blood
rushed to her cheeks.
II mean what say" said Willie.
"As if-as lit ] wanted TO tell Won
you were wasting your time l should del.
agate q child-my child--to say 10. in
stead of advising you myself!' Mrs.
Drew gave short laugh OF ANNOYANCE
u did think you knew me better"
"You have told me the truth--your
houghts-withOut meaning it." said Wi. /
ie minRlad nnpar and n wild foali,.. "a ,