Cleveland County herald., 1918-05-16
CHAPTER XIV.
Diane Changes Her Mind.

Diane Changes Her Mind.
The news of Sheba's safety had
been telephoned to Diane from the
roadhouse, so that all the family from
Peter down were on the porch to well
come her with mingled tears and
kisses. Since Gordon had to push on
to the hospital to have Holt taken care
of, 1t was Macdonald who brought the
girl home. The mine-owner declined
rather brusquely an invitation to stay
to dinner on the plea that he had bust
ness at the office which would not wait.
Impulsively Sheba held out both her
hands to him. Believe me, / am thank
ing you with the whole Of my heart,
my friend. And I'm praying for you
the old Irish blessing, God save you
kindly"
The deer.set, rapacious eyes of the
Scotsman burned into hers for an in
slant. Without word he released her
hands and turned away.
Her eyes followed him, vital, dyna-
mic American who would do big, law
less things to the day of his death.
She sighed. He had been great fig
ure in her life, and now he had passed
out of it.
AS soon as she was alone with Di-
ane, her Irish cousin dropped the little
bomb she had up her sleeve.
sT'm going to be married Thursday,
Dr."
Mrs. Paget embraced her for the
tenth time within an hour. She was
very fond Of Sheba, and she had been
on great strain concerning her safety.
That out of her danger had resulted
the engagement Diane had hoped for
was surplusage Of good luck.
'You lucky, sensible girl"
Sheba assented demurely. II do
think Pm sensible as well as lucky. It
isn't every girl that knows the right
man for her even when he wants her.
But know at last. He's the man for
me out of ten million.s
'I'm sure of it, dear. Oh, am so
glad" Diane Rugged her again. She
couldn't help it.
''One gets to know a man pretty
well on a trip like that. wouldn't
change mine for any one that was ever
made. like everything about him, Di.
1 am the happiest girl"
"rm so glad you see 1t that way at
last" Diane passed to the practical
aspect of the situation. But Thurs
day. Will that give us time, my dear?
And who are you going to have here"
"Just the family. I've invited two
guests, but neither of them can come.
One has a broken leg and the other
says he doesn't want to see me mar
ried to another man." Sheba explained
with a smile.
$50 Gordon won't come"
"Yes. He'll have to be here. We
can't get along without the BRIDE
groom. 1t wouldn't be a legal mar
riage, would it?"
Diane looked at her, for the moment
dumb. "You little wretch !" she got
out at last. $50 it's Gordon, is lit
Are you quite sure this time? Not
likely to change your mind before
Thursday"
81 suppose, to an outsider, do seem
fickle," Miss O'Neill admitted smiling
ly. "But Gordon and I both under
stand that"
"And Colby Macdonald-does he un-
derstand it too?"
"Oh, yes" Her smile grew broader.
"He told me that he didn't think
would quite suit him, after all. Not
enough experience for the place."
Diane flashed a suspicious look of
inquiry. "Of course that's nonsense.
What did he tell your
Something like thet. He will marry
Mrs. Mallory, I think, though he doesn't
know it yet"
you mean she will get him on the
rebound" said Diane bluntly.
"That isn't nice way to put It. He
has always liked her very much. HI
is fond Of her for what she is Wha,
attracted him in me were the thing.
his Imagination gave to me-"
"And Gordon likes you, I suppose
for what you are?"
Sheba did not resent the little not,
of friendly sarcasm. II suppose b,
has his fancies about me, too, but b,
the time he finds out what I am he'll
have to put up with me"
/ The arrival of Elliot interrupted con
! fidences. He had come, he said, to re
ceive congratulations.