The Washington herald., 1908-01-29
CHAPTER XXI.


in pronouncing the suggestion impracti,
cable
She was honest enough TO confess that
her objection was to large degree based
on sentiment.
"Oh, don't go back there; you had Sc
many, many dark days there!' she urged
Besides. the house is let till March
Why not let US so TO Paris for a few
months? Don't you think that Is a good
idea"
oh" said Camilla. delightedly; "ther
you are coming with me-"
1t was Katherine who looked surprised
"Of course, I should love to stay six
months in Paris I want to pick ur
French If I can. and it would be so
good for the children"
Camilla agreed.
And If Cuthbert should pass through
Paris We need not see him. she unused.
Happily he would not be able TO stay
for more than a few days; he owes too
much Kathie we viii do thisl'
So Il was settled despite Mrs. Bren-
toms protestations; but. as usual, Camilla
upset the arrangement She appeared TO
be quite happy At Yelverton for a week
or two. but all at once she got restless,
and went up 10 town for a few days.
From thence she announced that she was
going to pay one or two country visits.
Preparations were being made busily
for the migration 10 Paris. when the
children's mother wrote announcing that
their plans would be changed.
i have some news for YOU" she scrib-
bled; Sammy is going 10 be married.
Ny little matrimonial scheme has PANIED
out successfully. can't say that Sammy
is exactly my idea of a husband: but this
girl is apparently wildly in love, and
thinks herself ever so lucky. They are
both staying here. II seems that old
Lady Broxbourne is delighted. and the
wedding Is to be in a few weeks time.
For my sins I have promised to do all
can for the bride this season; she is
quite provincial, you know. and has
everything to learn. and she clings to me
almost pathetically. SO I am afraid our
little jaunt abroad will be knocked on the
hsad till tho summer. at all events and
then 1 think we ought 20 coax a yacht
out Of Rupert, and have a real good
time. What do you think?'
Yelyerton was very quiet without Ca
milla, and the children fretted for her
a good deal
Katherine herself was actually con-
scious of a sensation of void and loneli-
ness. She could never pass the room
where Camilla had been without a sort OF
pang.
Long ago she had ceased TO question
or to speculate on the extraordinary
power Of this other woman; 10 ask her
self why or why not certain things
ef1 -.
despite al that had gone and all that
might come, she loved Camilla with a
deep and an anxious love, and would
always give homage TO the caressing, the
beWitching influence Of this beautiful
this most unreliable OF women.
Sometimes, indeed, Katherine Granger
confessed 10 herself that even with her
eyes widely opened as they now We're.
she would still do what she had done in
the past and II protection were. needed.
exert every effort OF wit and courage
20 stand beside Camilla and keep trouble
away.
And this. although she had sacrificed
her own feelings so vainly, although she
knew Camilla would have been totally
unable to comprehend what that appar-
eRt friendship with BrOxbOurne had cost
her. and what real suffering had come TO
her through f.
Or the day the letter came containing
tho news OF the approaching Broxbourne
m lrriage. Katherine left the children
playing hide-and-seek in the hall, and
went out for a little walk
The day was bleak, and she felt the
cold penetrate her heart
She pushed on quickly till she left the
house well behind her. and then she sat
down and closed her eyes. Of late there
had been many moments when she had
felt tired out IN spirit. when life would
seem empty and Improbable; such q
mood fell upon her now She was not
sure If it was disappointment or a sense
Of relief that followed on the realization
that she was not 70 be uprooted from
the life OF the last six months All she
knew was that she had become so ner-
vous that she WINGED when the children
screamed either in play or temper, and
that she had strong desire TO scream
sometimes.
i think I win go of somewhere all by
myself for week OF two" she unused
now. Il know I must be horrid to live
with just now. When I banged my books
down on the table last night, I saw Mr..
Brenton look at me as if he thought I
had gone mad. I believe I ought to have
taken Mr.. Haverfords advice. and have
travelled little last year I should hate
TO leave the children now. but I am not
at all sure it would not be a good thing
for them. Perhaps I will talk IL over
with Mrs. BTentOu." A moment later she
said, ''No, l don't think I will If I DO,
she VIII only question. and Il she wants
70 know wnat Is wrong. and why I want
to so away, what Oh earth am I to say
10 her? II / cannot satisfy myself. [ am
not likely to satisfy her"
With a sharp sigh she relinquished this
train Of thought, and leaning back, she
closed her eyes, and remained with them
closed Tor a little while Then all at
once she was conscious that some one
was watching her, and she opened her
eyes quickly. In reality. Rupert Haver-
fora was not looking at her but was
pacing TO and fro in front OF the bench.
As she sat forward with a jerk. he
turned and came hurriedly toward her.
What madness brought you out here
to sleep?' he queried almost sharply.
Katherine knit her brows.
Il don't think I have been asleep" Then
confusedly, How long have you been
here?"
Ten minutes-a quarter Of an hour?"
He continued to look at her flxedly.
you are ILL.," he said; you look very
white Mrs. Brenton wrote me she was
anxious about you; that IS what brought
me down to-day"
This brought the color to her cheeks.
81 am perfectly well. I am always
wen"
He bent forward. took both her cold
hands. and drew her 10 her feet. For
an instant he chafed her hands almost
unoonsciOusly. Then they walked on
a little, Katherine as in dream.
Suddenly he paused, and catching her
hands again more closely, faced her
There were tears in her eyes. just
ready to run down her cheeks.