Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-21
CHAPTER XXX1T.

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They were seated in little bower
Of wistaria, Amy Forester and Mrs.
Bracken, and, by the gravity OF their
expression, the conversation mus
have been serious Behind them,
the low white bulk of the Colonial
house shone over the lawns rich
with the deep green tinge Of early
May. Before them an old-fashioned
garden, with early note of erocus,
tulip, and nareissus, wound in
pleasant surprises out toward the
fields, where the farm hands were
narrowing the red soil for the early
| planting. In the paddock to the
left Allan Bracken was giving the
first lessons to Bob, aged 8, bal
anced on the back of fat pony,
while the three younger children,
perched on the fence, were watching
with tense admiration. Above them,
in the arbor, the first clusters Of
wistaria were swelling in the bud.
A weeping willow and a grove of
maple trees in full leaf caught the
slight impulse of the young breeze,
redolent with the perfume of bud
ding time. A lazy, fluffy cloud hung
motionless against the blue span. 1t
was pleasant to every sense, vaguely
troubling to the imagination. 1t
was in the full awakening country,
and it was spring.
II envy you more than any wom-
an / know" said Amy Forester,
glaneing toward the distant roll Of
hills, where the blue fash of the
bay came ripping up with a myriad
Eglancing helmets. Il wish | could
live like this away from New York,
out among real things. / used to
land" she added, with a laughing
| glance at her striped skirt, her chit
fon blouse, and arched white slipper
that gave her the air of a Dresden
shepherdess, "and l used to dress in
overalls and ride home on the hay
wagons"
Il wonder if you'd be happy
now," said Mrs. Bracken frankly.
She was in heavy boots, khaki skirt,
and broad-brimmed hat, and her
knitted sweater was covered with
green remnants, while her hands
were stained with the flowers which
she was sorting in her lap.
Il wonder" said Amy, pensively.
She stirred UP the gravel with the
tip of her lace parasol without look
ing at her companion. In the two
days she had spent at the farm she
had more than once been on the
point of taking CLAIRE into her con-
fdence. Yet each time she found
the opening difficult. II don't see
why you like me-" she said at last,
without warning.
Claire Bracken laughed her hap
Ply, whole-hearted laugh.
"In the first place, because you are
lovable person." she said directly.
Il think | am all wrong" said
Amy, frowning.
Mrs. Bracken studied her a mo-
ment, trying to make out how
genuine was this confession. Then
she said, smiling,
"Yes, | think you are"
what! You do think so?" said
Amy, startled, for she was far from
thinking so herself.
yes; but you are no worse than
all the rest-and the pity is with
you, there is so much real good in
you. You really ought to count"
eff / only had a home like this,
heavens, how willingly I'd give up
all the rest!' said Amy, impulsively.
I'm not so sure Of your repen-
tance, pretty lady," said Claire,
smiling.
why not?"
II think you've come up to a
great climax, and now everything is
relaxed little tame perhaps. It's
the end of the season, but the ap-
petite will return"
Amy laughed in confusion.
Heavens! It's much easier fac
ing my conscience than facing you'll"
well, am right?"
Eyes, / think you are" she admit
ted, serious all at once. 1--WE had a
taste of excitement, and I crave it.
/ suppose it's my destiny and I'll
| go on burning myself out And yet
Pm restless-I'm not really
happyl"
why don't you have children?'
said Claire.
so soonl" said Amy, aghast, for
she was far from expecting this an
swer. She started to defend her
self by falling back on Andrew, but
she was in the mood of confession,
which also is a dramatic impulse of
the coquette. Frankly, / don't want
them now-because I'm selfish, be-
cause I want to enjoy my youth.
Now you know the worst about me.
| adore society; crave excitement,
and / can't give it up. Can you un-
derstand selfish little beast like
myself"
II can understand a good many
things" said Claire calmly. Il think
l may see you better than you do
yourself. You are the kind that
can do lot of harm in this world or
a lot of good"
Il once felt the way you do
when / was first married. wanted
children, but Andrew, my husband,
didn't want them"
"Whyp
Because he was foolish enough
to want me to playl"
"And yet you are not happy?"
Marshal FOCh is Expected
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