The Delta independent., 1910-06-24
CHAPTER VII.

Jdueu ana SurIelted, ready TO cry
Vanity of vanities. all is vanity"
| Wilfrid Stennis returned to his native
land after two years of Kaleidoscope
| experiences in the chief capitals of
the Old World He had plunged into
the vortex of life" only to be flung
out of the worry and whirl as
spent swimmer is spewed out on the
sand by some mad-rushing breaker
Into those two years he greedily
crowded together enough vicissitudes
to last another and better-seasoned
mind and body decade at least. Per
haps his almost total lack OF previous
social training and preparation led the
sooner to Inevitable safety; it was
a 12-course dinner OF highly spiced
and seasoned viands.
Certain 1t is that, hisli one over
mastering desire at last took the form
Of an acute nostalgia longing to
get away from glittering generalities
and sybaritic luxury and settle down
somewhere to life of plain and pol.
ished ease.
so he left the Kestrel to follow at
leisure-the original yachting party
was disbanded long since-and came
home by the Oregon on one of the
last trips OF that doomed greyhound
of the ocean.
In appearance Stennis was not
much changed. save for attle more
fullness Of face and figure, a rather
tired look about the eyes. and-what
was more noticeable-just a suspicion
nf in n hot. ~
temples And this at 30! In manner
he had certainly improved; you would
have at once set him down as we'll
trained and well-groomed man of the
world. .f hrc
An intense and overweening craving
for simpler manners and homelier
fare LED his steps straight from the
pier to the little house in Macdougal
street. around which were clustered
by far the pleasantest memories he
had ever known.
Eunice was at home. and herself
opened the door. so no retreat, no
denial. was possible.
"Why.-Mr Stennis!" she cried in
genuinely astonished accents In the
total surprise of the moment 1t was
all she could find to say.
As he stepped across the threshold
his gaze sought hers, but in the act
Of shaking hands-apparently mere
ly perfunctory ceremony on tb- girls
part-her eyes were veiled. AID the
sole token of emotion she betrayed
was little tell-tale red signal f.g in
her usually olive-pale cheeks
Have you no word of welcome for
me, Eunice?" said Wilfrid reproach.
fully.
Surely" was the answer. We
lam glad to see you back safe and
sound and looking so well. When
did you arrive?"
Scarcely an hour ago. came
straight here"
During the voyage across Wilfrid
had in divers ways pictured to him
self this meeting. There was to be
a sort Of killing Of the fatted calf,
although In no sense did he regard
himself A. enacting the role of the
prodigal-he had been made too much
Of while abroad for that And though
he knew in his heart OF hearts that he
had probably forfeited all right there
to. In fancy he had dwelt with an In
ward glow over the glad greeting
which Eunice was to- extend; he had
even pictured to himself in e hazy
way her ninging herself into his arms
and with tear-wet cheeks taking him
to herself again. But this common
place. everyday "How.de-do. Mr..
Stennis?" and the total absence Of
emotion. grave or gay. cool or ardent,
was like passing at one step from tho
hot sunshine Of the plains OF LON
bArdy to the ice-crowned sleeps Of the
Alpine SUBMITS beyond. Not ef
o-That was very kind OF you," said
Eunice as she led the way to the old,
familiar room, only little DINNER
and dullerl than usual. but neverthe-
less to Wiifrid very haven of rest.
fulness. Father will be delighted to
see you and hear all about your trav.
els" aa, k ae llr b..
And what about yourself, Eunice p
said wifi. moving closer to her. but