The San Francisco call., 1904-12-18


when displayed by the other. Their
own propensities and ideals, carried
to an extreme, had threatened ruin;
they erected the opposite temper OF
mind into a standard, and thereto
sought to conform their conduct at the
cost OF violence to themselves. IL
seemed strange, yet IL was the natural
effect of the fates and the tempera-
ments which they had seen worked out
and displayed before their eyes, in
such close touch with them, impinging
so sharply on their own destinies.
SibyIla had not been at home when
Grantley arrived She met him first
in the nursery, when she went to see
little Frank at his tea. No mood, be
1t what it would, could make Grant
ley riOtOus romping companion for a.
tiny child; that effort was beyond :
him. But to-day he played with his
son with a new sympathy; talked TO
him with a pleasant gravity which
stirred the youth and curious mind.
listened TO his broken utterances with
a kindly ouizz.cal smile which seemed
TO encourage the little fellow. Grant
ley had never before found so much an
swering intelligence. He forgot the
quick development which even few
weeks bring at such time Of life. He
set all the difference down to the
fact that never before had he looked
for what he now. found so ready and
for himself the nurse was eager to
point out, and with the aid Of this
enthusiastic signpOst Grantley dis
covered the road TO understanding
very readily. He and the boy were.
without doubt. enjoying one anOther's
society when Sibylla came in
She stood in the doorway, waiting
with an aching heart for the usual
thing, for a withdrawal OF even such
sign Of interest as Grantley had ever
shown in old days. 1t did not come.
He gave her a CHEEKY recognition, and
went on playing with Frank. IRE
sistibly drawn, she came near to them.
Something was signaied in Franks
struggling speech and impatiently
waving arms. Grantley could not fol-
low, and EOw turned his eyes to Sibylla.
asking for an explanation. The nurse
had gone into the other room. busted
about the preparations for the meal
Sibylla took Frank in her arms
4 know what he means. she said
proudly.
Her eyes met Grantley's. His were
fixed very intently on her
Il don't" he said. rs it possible
for man to learn these mysteries? p
His tone and words We're light: they
were even mOcking. but not now with
the mockery which hurts.
She flushed a little.
You'd Ike TO learn2" she asked
Shall we try to teach him. Frank-to
teach him your code?"
I'll watch you with him"
For a moment she looked at him ap-
pealingly. and then lSnelt on the floor
and arranged the toys as Frank had
wanted them The little fellow laughed
in triumph.
How did you know?" asked Grant
ley
i've not lost that knowledge-no. I
haven't" she answered almost in
whisper
The scene was a spur to his newly
stirred impulses. He had rejoiced in
his wife before now but the clouds
had always hung about the cot so that
he had not rejoiced nor gloried in the
mother of his child. His heart was full
as he sat and watched the mother and
the child.
You've got to watch him very care
fully still; but he's getting ever SO
much mOre-mOre--"
"Lucid?" Grantley suggested. smil-
ing.
YES" she laughed. "and. If possI-
BILE, more imperious still. 1 believe he's
going to be like you in that"
"Oh. not like me, let's hoDel"
He laughed. but there was look OF
pain on his face.
sibyIla turned round to him and
spoke in a low voice. lest by chance
the nurse should hear.
You mustn't be sure agree alto
gether with that" she said. and turned
swiftly away to the child again.
Grantley rose
Lift him up to me and let me kiss
him." he said.
With grave eyes sibylla obeyed.
But the natural man is not easily
subdued, nor does he yield his place
readily. In the end Grantley was not
-Irnvr lone Irrrrf,
evening fell fair and still. a fine Oc-
tober night, and he Joined Sibylla in
the garden. Christine remained inside
from tact. perhaps. though she was
very likely chilly, too. Grantley smoked
in silence, while Sibylla looked down
on the little village below.
This thing has shaken me up dread-
fully he said at last. The Court
yes. I know" She turned and
faced him. And isn't there something
else that concerns you and me?"
II know OF nothing. And you can
hardly say the Courtlands concern us
They do; and there is something
else. Grantley- I know what Janet
SelfOrd wrote
That's nothing at all to me-"
But it is something to me. You
know it is"
i won Z talk or t1dr. IL nOt1llB-
He put his hand out suddenly to her.
Lets be friends. Sibylla-'
She did not take his hand. but she
looked at him with a friendly gaze.
1--WE really ought TO try to manage
that oughtn't we2 For Franks sake.
II for nothing else. Or Go you think
I've TO right to talk about Frank"
Suppose we don't talk about rights
at all? I'm not anxious to-
tsTfsl1 - hav1- hrrf Will fo ha
friends for his sake-that he may have
q happy home"
Grantley's heart was stirred within
him.
That's good, but is that all?' he
asked in low voice full OF feeling.
rs it all over for ourselves? Can't we
be friends for our own sakes -
Haven't we lost-well. not the right
If you don't like that-but the pow
er?''
I'm an obstinate man: you know
that very WE'LL
'Itn be hard-for both of US; but,
yes. we'll try
She gave him her hand TO bind the