Mexico Missouri message., 1913-03-13
l.0RCHA
Coon9loHz L9le. & G NzrczM2e & CO.

violent contrast with his thin-lipped.
grave, determined mouth.
Or. Massey's orders were that for
| twelve hours no one should be admit
ted to the ROOM" was his unanswer-
able rejoinder.
Which means not until after FIVE
o'clock, this evening""
Exactly, sir. But shall report to
you everything ne says. as nearly as
possible in his own words"
Very WELL" I said. Il shall spend
the day here" My tone conveyed dis
missal and fear It still smacked OF
annoyance. Mr.. Bryan, however, gave
no sign OF resentment. His eyes were
still kindly merry. his mouth still in
spired reliance. He turned towards
the door. saying:
He'll probably sleep four hours at
least, Mr.. Clyde. II you wish to go
| out. there's no reason why you
shouldn't"
/ meant to reply. My lips were al
, ready framing a sentence, when a
tableau checked me.
Evelyn Grayson was standing in the
doorway. She wore a clinging house
| gown Of pale blue, cut low at the
throat, and bordered with a deep col
lar of Irish lace. The rose flush OF
youth and health tinted the cream Of
her complexion and shaft Of sunlight
| from near window made a glittering
golden nimbus of her hair. With wide,
startled eyes she was gazing at Bryan,
| or. 10 be more exact, at the snowy
| linen duck in which he was clad, and
which must have held for her a per-
| picking significance.
The nurse had halted, deferentially
standing aside at sight of the girl
whose young beauty seemed to dazzle
MIN.
For a moment the stiffness and ST
| lence were absolute. Then Evelyn
turning her gaze upon me advanced
quickly, with little questioning cry:
Phillip"
| You're surprised to find me here"
| interpreted, with hands outstretched.
And to" she began, laying her
fingers against my palms.
ITO find a nurse here, as WELL"
] lHISHNu lltIs lSI ule
Mr.. Bry-" But when | would have
presented him he had already gone.
But who is ill?" she questioned in
nervous haste. What"
1t were well. thought, to have the
revelation over and done with as
speedily as possible.
Your uncle. / brought him home
at two o'clock this morning"
| do not know what | expected, but
| am sure l was not prepared for what
ensued. Her fingers, suddenly releas-
ing themselves from my fond but
feeble support, clutched wildly at the
lapels of my coat for support, as she
burst into a passion of sobs. In vain
/ made efforts to comfort and quiet
her. She became hysterical. She
laughed and cried by turns, while /,
making bold 10 regard her as a sorrow
ing child rather than the woman she
was, held her close and murmured all
the soothing, encouraging words and
phrases / could conjure.
liam so glad" she whispered
at last. her big liquid blue eyes swim.
ming. her fair face wet with the tor.
rent Of her emotion. IL am so
happy"
Presently l placed her in a great,
cavernous leathern chair, and lent her
my handkerchief-assiste her, In.
deed-to remove the evidences OF her
tumultuous Joy. After which sat
down opposite her and answered a
hundred questions, still marvelling at
the contrariety Of the feminine TEN.
permanent which defes disaster dry.
eyed and over good tidings is like NJ.
ODE all tears.
EVelyn's emotions alone considered
it was. therefore, Just as we'll that
Cameron had not returned robust and
of sane mind. Her rejoicing undiluted
might have resulted in nervous break
down. As It was. the mere fact that
he was weak and a frifle distraught-
which was the mildly equiyocal way in
which | softened the truth for her
bad for her forttude the reviyifying
potency Of 2 tonic. It so balanced her
JOY with anxiety that she grew strong
in surprisingly short space.
81 do not see why a nurse IS at all
necessary" she objected, at once. 81
shall nurse him, myself Louis and
can do everything that is required"
But Or. Massey ] began. Where
upon she interrupted me:
DIR Massey probably thinks ] am
q foolish, frivolous child. / shall nurse
Uncle Robert even II / have 20 dismiss
Or. Massey and get another ply
sic.au"
There was nothing 10 be gained by
opposing her at this time, so held my
nOu-committal peace. doubling, never
th'loss, the probability Of her prop
OsitOn. But 10 her next proposal
must needs interpose the obstructive
truth.
Come" she commanded. brushing
back from her temples with bott
hands the encroaching golden halo
with the gesture OF one who prepares
for conquest. wiping away, as II were
, the laSt clinRing VestiRoE of her emo