The Bowbells tribune., 1900-08-31
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
The summer came and went, but it
deepened Harry Reynolds love into
passionate worship for his beautiful
wife.
AS soon as he had grown strong
enough they all made their summer
fitting to; the mountains. Her manner
during these months would have dis
armed the most critical. Study her as
closely as he would, Edgar Reynolds
could discover in his sons wife no
flaw.
Society evidently did not share Harry
Reynolds prejudice concerning hand
some young Barclay, who so recently
had been ordered to the capital. 1t
found him most charming, most fasctn-
ating, with peculiar frankness OF
manner which, while detracting moth
ing from his manhood, lent him the at
traction of bright, winning boy.
At a garden party, early in October,
he and Grace Hawthorne met.
She was standing leaning against the
trunk of an immense tree when he
crossed the lawn toward her, the hand
of his hostess resting lightly on his
arm.
She was dressed, as usual, in simple
white, even to the broad sash enclr-
cling the slender waist. She looked
beautiful child, but already in the
deep, azure eyes had dawned the wo-
mans soul.
She smiled as she recognized Mrs.
Geoffrey, and wondered little who
might be this singularly handsome
man who was her escort.
An instant later she bowed her head
in recognition Of the introduction.
All, could she have known, could she
have looked into the future, she would
have shuddered, even as Marguerite
might have shuddered had the true
character Of Mephisto been disclosed
to her.
II am so happy to meet you. Miss
Hawthorne" he said, little later,
when he had gained few moments
with her alone. "Will you not let me
tell you something Of my old friend
Mrs. Reynolds?"
"Helen? You know her? One would
imagine by your serious tone, she In
habited another sphere. 1t is mere ac-
cident that she is not with me this af-
ternoon. She is to chaperone me this
winter. Why have you not called upon
her Mr.. Barclay, and made your in
uuiries in person? I need not tell you
that any of Mrs. Reynolds friends are
very welcome to my uncle's house."
"You compel my frankness. Miss
Hawthorne. have not been sure my
visit would be acceptable. I was so
unhappy once as to excite her hus-
bands jealousy-previoust to their mar
riage, Of course. It was piece of ar
rant folly on my part, and she will ac-
QUIT me and herself Of any sentiment
in the matter. But it has made me
hesitate to present myself"
The girl laughed gaily.
II scarcely think you could make
Harry Jealous now" she said. "He ~
so deeply in love that I am very sule
he would not give you the opportunity.
I think may venture to promise YOU
will not find yourself confronted with :,
very formidable ogre If you should
present yourself at my uncle's door,"
MAY accept your words as per-
mission to so present myself?" he
asked. "Otherwise I shall feel myself
excluded from Eden"
"Referring, I presume to our spa
cious garden" she retorted, lightly, ig-
noring the earnest glance of his dark
eyes, Though slight flush rose to her
cheek. "Yes-you may come, Mr.. Bar
clay"
In long years after Grace wondered
If those simple words of hers had real
ly opened the doors to all the after
horrors which entered in, or whether
her feeble negative could have served
as bar against them.
Doubtless fate would have discov-
cred other ways and means, but per-
haps she would have suffered less
keenly had she not been 50 direct an
instrument.
Harvey Barclay had reasoned we'll
that, once obtaining foothold In the
house, he might leave to Helen the
rest.
Before the winter was half gone,
even, Harry began to feel his dislike
had all been jealous prejudice. At first
mention of Barclays name he had
openly rebelled against his coming;
but Helen had argued we'll and wisely,
with her arms entwined about his neck,
that to confess present jealousy was
to confess distrust.
''It did in the old days, Harry, before
was your wife; but it will not do
now. Will you tell your father and
Grace that you are still jealous of
man who was my friend when I sorely
needed friends? But have not thought
of him in all these months. He comes
now at Grace's invitation, not at mine.
let him ccme, Harry. Let me feel my
husband trusts me SO perfectly that he
fears no man."
And so, at first coldly, and then more
and more warmly, Harry Reynolds
held out the hand Of welcome to the
man destined to become his bitterest
foe.
Doubtless he thought he had Judged
him wrongly in his jealous view, and
so, generously and almost unconscious
of his own motive, he felt desirous now
of making him amends for that Unjust
ice.
Never had Helen been more loving,
more tender, than during these months.
More and more he felt how cruelty he
once had misjudged her. Society. too.
had forgotten those strange, unfOund-