The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-01-25

dulity the girl who had caused her to
capitulate.
But Enid scored prompt success.
She swept aside the almost unconscious
reserve with which Jacks mother
greeted her.
You knew" she murmu-ed wistful-
ly. Eve did not. They would not tell
us. How you must have suffered until
the news came that he had escaped
Lady Margaret drew the timid GIL
nearer and kissed her.
MY dear" she whispered. II an be-
ginning to understand why Jacl; loves
you. He is my only son, but you are
worthy of him."
Mrs. Nansittarts appearance created
a timely diversion. She had obtained
a black lace dress. 1t accentuated the
settled pallor of her face. but she was
perfectly self possessed and uttered Il
nice womanly compliment to the tHo
girls. who wore white demitoilet co..
tunes.
You look delightful" she said
when all is said and done we women
should never despise our wardrobe
That marvelous lighthouse had one
grave defect in my eyes. 1t we
dreadfully callous to feminine require
ments."
Here was woman rejuvenated, re-
stored to her natural surroundings
They accounted for the subtle change
in her by the fact that they had seen
her hitherto under unfavorable condi-
tons. Even Pyne, not wholly pleased
with her in the past. found his critical
judgment yielding when che apologizeG
sweetly to Lady Margaret for her
hardness.
There were two children saved from
the wreck. Poor little mites, how they
reveled in a hot bath! could not
leave them until they were asleep"
IL needed two hot baths" said Pyne.
'No. dug me out of the shell, and No.
2 helped me to recognize myself"
During dinner there was much to tell
and to hear. Mrs. Fansittart said lit
tie, save to interpose word now and
then when Constance or Enid would
have skinned too lightly the record
Of their own services.
They did not hurry over the meal.
All were in the best possible spirits,
and the miseries Of the Gulf Rock
might never have existed for this lively
company were 1t not that four among
them bore clear tokens of the depriva-
tons they had endured.
A waiter interrupted their joyous
chatter at its highest. He bent over
Mr.. Trail and discreetly conveyed
some communication.
IL am delighted" cried the million
aire heartily. "Show him in at once"
He rose from his chair to da honor
to an unexpected guest. -
"YOu will all be pleased to hear" he
explained, "that Mr.. Brand is ashore
and has come to see us"
Mrs. Vansittart stified the cry on her
lips. The slight color which had crept
into her pale cheeks yielded to death
ly hue. 1t CHANGED that the others
were looking expectantly toward the
door and did not notice her.
Brand entered. In acknowledging
Mr.. Trails cordial welcome he smil-
ingly explained his presence.
my superiors sent me emphatic or
ders to clear out" he said, $50 l had
no option but to obey. | conveyed Mr..
Emmett to suitable quarters and has
tened home, but found that the girls
were playing truant. My housekeeper
insisted that | should eat, else she
would not be satisfied that / still lived,
but ] came here as quickly as posi-
Die"
AT that instant his glance, travelling
from one to another of those present,
fell on Mrs. Vansittart
He stood as one petrified. The kind
ly words of his host, the outspoken
glee of the girls at his appearance,
died away in his ears in hollow echoes.
His eyes. frowning beneath wrinkled
brows. seemed TO ask If he were not
the victim OF some unnerving halluci-
nation They were fixed on Mrs. Van
sittart's face with an all absorbing In
tenslty. and his set lips and cllnched
hands showed how utterly irresistible
was the knowledge that indeed he was
not deceived, that he was gazing at
living. breathing personality and not
at some phantom product Of sur
charged brain.
She. too. yielding before the sudden
ness of an ordeal she had striyen to
avoid, betrayed by her laboring bosom
that she was under the spell of some
excitement of overwhelming power.
She managed to gain her feet. The