The Washington times., 1918-08-11
CHAPTER XXI
The Return Of Loves springtim,

The Return Of Loves Spfingtime.
TT was eighteen months after this before
they met again-Hector ana Theodore;
= and now 1t was May. and the flowers
bloomed and the birds sang. and an the
world was young and fair-only Morella
winmarleigh was growing into bitter old
maid.
At twenty people might have taken
her for a matron Of ten years older.
She had wondered for weeks what was
the result of her action with the letters.
She hoped daily to hear of some catas-
trophe and scandal falling upon the head
of Theodora- But she heard nothing. II
was only after Josiah's death that details
were waited to her through the F1tz-
gerslds.
How poor Mr.. Brown had never really
recovered from a slight stroke he had had
on leaving BeechIeigh. and of Theodora's
goodness and devotion to him, and Of his
worship of her. And Morella had the mad
dening feeling that If she had left well
enough alone this death might never have
occurred. and her hated rival might not
now be a free and beautiful widow. with
no impediment between herself and Hec-
tor when they should choose to meet.
She had meant to be reyenged and pun
ish them, and 1t seemed she had only
cleared their path to happiness. There
was really no justice in this world!
Theodore had gone to meet her father
and step-mother in Paris.
Her sisters we're married and very
happy, she hoped. Prosperity had won
derfully embeIlished their attractions, and
even Sarah had found a mate.
And Lady Bracondsle remained her
placid, stately self Her grief and dis
appointment over Hector's departure from
England had passed away by now. as
had her treasured dream Of receiving
Morella Winmarleigh as a daughter. But
Anne whispered to her that she need not
worry forever, and some day soon her
brother might choose a bride whom even
she would love.
Hector had continued his Wanderings
over the world for many months after
Josiah's death. He felt, should he return
to England. nothing could keep him from
Theodore.
And she, too, had travelled and explored
fresh scenes, and was now a supremely
beautiful and experienced woman+-courted
and hattered, and besieged by many
adorers
But she was stiIl Theodore. with only
one love in her heart and one dream in her
sou1-to meet Hector again and spend the
rest of her life in the shelter of his arms.
She heard of him often through her step
nd Ne
and both Hector and she understood. and
knew the time would come when they
could be happy.
JIne Anastasia Fitzgerald had romantic
notions. This pretty pair whom she
looked upon as of her own producing. must
meet again under her auspices in like cir
cumstances as they had done on the happy
and never-to-be-forgotten day when she
herself had promised her heart and hand
to Dominic Fitzgerald.
There Is something lucky about Yer
sailles," she said, "and they shall expert
ence It, too"
So she planned a picnic, and arranged
it with Hector before he reached Paris
He was not to show himself or commun!-
cate with Theodore: he was just to be
there at the Reservoirs and wait for their
arrival
Anu Tie SOuS Shlicu-dlu luc udg WAS
fne-and the trees we're greeR-as had
been another day. two years ago.
And oh, the wild, mad Joy that surged
mp in their hearts when their eyes met
once more!
They could not speak, 1t seemed. even
the words of pOliteness; SO they wandered
away into the Spring woods, silent and
glad; and 1t was not until they reached the
shrine Of old Enceladus that Hector
clasped Theodore again in his arms. and
gave rein to all the passionate love and
delirious happiness which was flooding his
being.
There one can leave them-together-
for afways-looking out upon the realiza-
tion Of that fair dream of life.
Safe in each others arms. in those
smooth waters, beyond the rocks, In the
safe harbor to which their wonderful love
had led the way.
Copyright. 1918 by Elinor GIyn