Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-01-10
CHAPTER yIU.-(Contiuued. }

She fully believed in her own rea-
soning. Harvey was not so confident.
He did not understand Mrs. Atherton's
silence and complete withdrawal from
the scene of action, and Phebe's pas
sivity was incomprehensible. Secretly
he was dissatisfied with the position in
which he was placed toward his moth
er, and there were hours when he long
ed for the old loving confidence that
once seemed unassailable.
Helen was quick to detect these
moods, and almost as quick to dissi-
pate them. An artful word, the narra-
ton Of an incident that put Gladys in
the guise of an oppressor, and his
spirit again rose rebelliously. He was
not boy in leading strings, to be i'm
posed upon and held in check even
by his mother-not he! Not he, in
deed! echoed Helen. And he held him
self very erect as he caught Delilah's
cajoling look, poor Harvey, and
thought himself a fine, independent
fellow.
Meanwhile, Gladys was undergoing
one OF the revulsions OF feeling that
are inevitable with mercurial persons
who enjoy or suffer keenly. After
having for years considered only
others, she now thought little OF any
thing save herself, and the plans, late
ly decided upon, that would perhaps
revolutionize her life, and she ana
her two servants were busy every hour
that she might the sooner carry them
out.
Sighted love will enable any proud
woman to free herself from bondage
of the affections, and Gladys was
harder in her pride than most. for her
character was not free from an alloy
of vanity. After few days OF unre-
strained grief, she rose, one morning,
pale but cheerful, resolved to cast
Harvey from the innermost shrine OF
her heart, and give him the place ne
had voluntarily chosen. From that
moment life took on a new aspect for
her, and slowly, but surely, the past
began to recede into the night OF
things forgotten.
In the flush OF her new hopes and
schemes she seemed more like the girl
of old than she had for years. She
laughed and sang, and darted about
her rooms like humming bird,
Phebe said, delight in her eyes. She
could not understand the suddenness
and the completeness Of the change;
there was no mercury in honest Tom
linson's mental make up; but she dim
ly comprehended that after an age OF
self-suppression Gladys free self was
coming to the surface, and new era
of feeling had begun.
One day Helen received the long-ex-
pected summons to Mrs. Atherton's
room. She was glad it had come at
last; nothing would be gained by idle
talk, but when everything was ex-
planned and definitely understood. life
would be pleasanter for all concerned.
Harvey missed his mother, and for
policy's sake a reconciliation was de-
sirable; it could be easily effected, now
that Gladys had indicated wish to
come to terms. And she obeyed the
summons promptly, determined to
bring the interview to successful
issue as soon as possible.
She expected to find Mrs. Anterior
pale and weak, with the inertia OF an
invalid; but Gladys convalescence had
been rapid, and she looked even bet
ter than she had before her illness.
She was fully dressed. and Annette
had arranged her hair in the latest
style, which CHANGED to be especially
becoming to her delicate beauty. Even
Helen felt that it was absurd to affect
to consider this radiant woman feeble
or incapable.
II was not prepared to find you so
WE'LL" she said rather awkwardly,
when the greetings were over.
mo? Oh, l am quite myself again;
the rest has done me good, and
smoothed away incipient wrinkles"
answered Gladys Her tone was con-
ventionel, as II she addressed an ac-
quaintance. Il suppose you know why
! have sent for your
I An old feeling of doubt kept Helen
silent. She was no longer sure that
she did know. This fashionably
dressed woman, with the superficial
cordially of manner that holds others
aloof more surely than the coolest re-
serve, seemed stranger to her. She
felt she was not Of her world, and
the thought gave her an uncomfort-
able sense Of insecurity.
! There seems to be q little difficulty
about the household keys" Gladys re-
sumed. II understand that you wish
to deliver them to me in person."
! Yes, II you have fully decided to
claim them" said Helen, quickly.
But / hope, as does my husband.
that you will leave them in my hands.
I am sure you will approve Of my
methods II you take the trouble to
look into them"
II detest petty details. as you know.
You have been very kind to interest
yourself in my affairs during my ILL
ness, and l hope you will oblige me
further by accepting this check for
$780," Gladys carelessly pushed the
scrap Of paper toward her caller and
smiled as Helen. with involuntary
eagerness, took possession of 1t, MUIR
muring her thanks. This closes the
matter as far as am concerned-that
is, when you return the keys"
CHAPTER TX.