The Detroit times., 1917-07-07
CHAPTER cxxX.

CHAPTER CXxX.
The time had come when / must
tell Robert | had thought OF writ
ing him OF my intention. and tell
ing him the reason I had decided to
leave him free TO follow his own in
clinations. But IL seemed cowardly
Then. too. hesitated TO put the
causc-Phyllis Awson--upon paper
But Signor Romelfs letter would
come any day now. and / might have
20 leave soon. l had much TO attend
10 In connection with the children as
7 should be away for about IL weeks.
during which time Robert could ar
range FOR permanent separation.
Whenever for any reason my mind
wavered the thought OF the day when
] found Phyllis Lawson standing with
her hands on Roberts breast world
Of devotion ia her eyes, would
strengthen me-. or. IL life without
him seemed almost more than | could
face | would suddenly remember her
letter and the words. Love there
never has been until met you.
would burn and scorch my brain.
But Robert never should know
how things hurt me. was even
frightened lest he imagine that T
misinterpret the quality OF his feel
ing for me. lest ne should think
dured much. but that humiliation /
would be spared
secretly / was glad that the reply
from Romeli was delayed. The
sure / had everything arranged for
the future OF myself and the children.
kent me very busy. But OF this
was glad. as ~ gave me less time 10
think ~ my troubles
Perhaps ought TO walt hit
Thought III
window one night. alone as usual
Bruce had not seemed quite as well
OF late.
heard Robert come IN. ! put out
the light and hastily crept into bed
7 wondered idly why Robert did not
como up. Then drowsiiy concluded
he had gone into the library 20 read
a while before coming 20 hed--as he
often did, regardless Of the hour.
A half hour later I awoke with
gasp. I sat up In bed and listened.
A rnurmur Of voices reached my ears.
Robert was across the hall talking
90 Bruce. what could he the natter
I was sure something was wrong.
slipped on my wrapper over my
gown. and thrustinR my feet into my
bedroom slippers. I hurried out IN
the hall toward Bruce's room. At
the door. slightly ajar. paused
It's Yale. dad" 7 heard him say.
a note of decision In his young voice.
"Ali right. son, Yale II is." Robert
answered heartily.
n has been quite Joke some time
between them. One day ~ would he
Harvard. and Bruce would decorate
his room with Harvard coiors. and in
sist on reading ell the literature he
could gather pertaining 70 Harvard
Perhaps the next day IL would he
Cornell. tonight n was Yale. and
smiled IN the darkness as I thought
Of the happiness he seemed TO get
out or planning his future.
IT wonder which mother would like
best" I heard Bruce say after mo-
ment. "Once 7 asked her. and she
said she thought I ought TO go 10
Harvard because YOU did. DO you
think 80. too dad?"
mo. son. That need make no dr.
ference. You plan 10 go just where
you want TO. Dad will see 10 the
rest"
There was vibrant note IN Rob
erts voice that In some unexplaina HE
way frightened me. with a little
shiver ] quietly made my way back
10 bed. and when he came into the
room q few moments later pretend
ed 20 be asleep.
As he undressed 7 heard him sigh
once or twice. sigh heavily like
man with some sorrow or grief might