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

Jaded and surfeited, 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 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 a decade at least. Per-
haps his almost total lack of previous
social training and preparation led the
sooner to inevitable safety; 1t was
like starveling gorging himself on
12-course dinner OF highly spiced
and seasoned viands
Certain it Is that his 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 a 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 a attle more
fullness Of face and figure, rather
tired look about the eyes. and-what
was more noticeable-just suspicion
of grayness in the hair around the
temples. And this at 30! In manner
he had certainly improved; you would
have at once set him down as a we'll
trained and well-groomed man OF the
world.
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. 80 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 tn. girls
part-her eyes were veiled, aud the
sole token of emotion she betrayed
was little tell-tale red signal d.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.
1 w. III iAhCy hC nAo uWcn WIN an III
ward glow over the glad greeting
which Eunice was to- extend; he had
even pictured to himself in a haxy
way her finging 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 ths
hot sunshine Of the plains OF LON
bhrdy to the ice-crowned sleeps OF tn
Alpine submits beyond 'Ni tst
o~That was very kind Of you," sais
Eunice as she led the way to the old
familiar room. only little dimme
and duller than usual. but neverthe
less to Wilfrid very haven of rest
fulness. Father will be delighted u
see you and hear all about your trav
els" not III ne t--
And what about yourself, Eunice :?
said VIII moving closer to her. bu