Evening star., 1914-08-09
Continued from page 8

such show of innocent inquiry that Bran
dow felt an absurd desire to look out of the
window and see if the old gardener were not
still in sight; but already the train had
rounded a curve, and the little station has
passed out of view.
Belle laughed merrily. Lets suppose we
have just been dreaming, she said. 4I'm
sure it has all been too pleasant to be real.
And now we are waking up.
Il wish we could go on dreamingi' said
Brandow
"Ah, if we could. echoed Belle
1t was late in the afternoon when they
reached the city The street lamps were
not yet lighted; though the day was draw
ing to an early close, with promise of
stormy night Through streets shrouded
in cheerless dusk they drove toward what
was henceforth to be their home. Even
here the cheerlessness pursued them. Evi
IDENTIFY they were not expected for no one
answered the bell, and Brandow was obliged
to let himself into the dark hallway with his
pass key. Hardly pleasant homecoming,
he reflected, as he struck a match and led
the way into his study
But Belle refused to be depressed. "Never
mind,' she said. at will be better tomor-
row. Tonight we can go out to dinner, and
afterward spend quiet evening by our
selves. What pleasant rooml" she added,
looking about her. do you know, have
an odd feeling that I've been here before
but of course that's absurd"
4This is my den,' said Brandow, as he
opened the door. "See,' he added, 4your
sitting room opens out of it.
NO." said Belle. Tomorrow I'll explore
the house. Let's go to dinner now.'
p ETURNING an hour later, they found
- the aspect of things considerably
frightened. Brandow's man admitted
them, bowling with impassive Difference to
his master and the new lady of the house;
behind him the new maid, whose face Bran
dow did not recognize, was waiting to assist
Belle with her wraps. "One of Fraser's ac-
questions, l suppose thought Brandow.
"An invaluable fellow, Fraser"
In his dressing room everything was pre-
pared for him. Fraser had already half un-
packed his trunk, and having laid out his
masters house jacket went quietly about
completing the task.
4By the way asked Brandow, show did
it happen there was no one to receive US
when we came?'
Il believe, Sir, said the man, "we had no
word you were coming
4Why, no, admitted Brandow. Il be-
lieve forgot all about it.
But he was puzzled. Thinking it over, he
could not recall that he himself had known
of his intended homecoming till the night
before; then it had seemed to him thing
long since decided upon. In a flash his
thoughts went back over the months in that
old house by the sea Strangely enough,
everything had been arranged for him, him
self acquiescing in what had never seemed
other than his own decision; even to the
choice of the old house for his wedding
journey, his wedding itself-but the back
ward flash of memory stopped short of his
wedding itself, beginning only with the
Journey At best it was but a flash, lighting,
but hardly Illuminating, momentary per-
plexity. Presently he inquired:
a hope you had everything ready for my
wife?'
Mrs Brandow's maid has seen to every
thing, Sir"
Mrs. Brandow's maid. How naturally
the man said it!
Belle elected to pass the evening in his
study, holding to her first decision not to
explore the house till the morrow With
quiet enjoyment he noted the pretty as
sumption of authority with which she dis
missed Fraser for the evening; realizing
that at last they were back in the world to-
gcther, Belle taking, naturally enough, the
place that was to be hers henceforth, of
mistress in his home.
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