Evening star., 1919-02-23
CHAPTER TX.
The Test of Life.

NOW mat ne ndu won, now tial
the marriage and LoVeman's plans
were potentially blocked, there should
have been et-down from Clifford'S
long strain. But there was not. The
settling of this affair seemed only to
give mind room TO other concerns.
lie tossed about restlessly during the
few hours that remained of the night:
and he realized that his restlessness
was not due wholly TO the suspense
of waiting for the tnality that
would come with Ioyeman's complet-
ed promise,
In the slow hours before the com
ing of the slate -coiored dawn vague,
disturbing doubt crepi in upon him.
lie had interfered with events, he had
tried to shape life upon his IDEAS.
was his course right?--that seemed
to be something of the impalpable
substance of his doubt. But what
this new doubt was, strive as he
would he could not evoke it from its
vagueness into definite shape.
lie had breakfast, and then, obey
ing an impulse which seemed TO
emerge from this new, obscure maze
of his mind he suddenly decided to
see Mary Regan again--for what pur-
pose he had no idea. Arrived at the
Grammar, ne ndu ms hdileh pip'i.'
Up Co Mrs Gardner" and was In
formed that Mrs. Gardner would see
him
even replying to his good morning,
she led him into the sitting roon,
There she faced him. proud ana cold-
ly defiant
81 suppose YOU have come to inform
me YOU have told the Mcrtons all
about me-'''
No" he replied.
"rhen. to theaten me again that
YOU win teil?"
No"
Then. what have you come for
He knew noW-at least partly. Dur
ing the moment he had been in the
room and had gazed upon her, there
had emerged from the maze OF his
thoughts and feelings. sharply de
fined repugnancc to what within the
next hour or two was to happen be
tween her and I.oveman--a -repue-
nance. felt in her behalf, that she
should be made to yield to whatever
Influences that cunning little lawyer
would be able to exert
81 have come to ask YOU" he said,
trying to speak composedly. but with
all his being vibrant beneath that
compoSure. "to break off this affair
with lack Morton of your own free
Will You know you don't care for
him You know what you are plan
ming to do isn't square. Why don't
YOU be true TO the best self that is in
you and en- it All yourself?-and end
if now? There's the telephone" he
urged-rememb mbering that Loveman
might any moment appear-"cal Jack
Morton. up and tell him you've de-
cided not 10 do it,
AS he spoke. ber face had grown
sharp with decision. Mr.. Clifford"
she exclaimed in a low, cutting voice.
TIM tired of your presumption. your
. interference, I'm tired of your try
ing to make me be what you think
! ought to be- AS if ii mattered 10 me
what YOU thought"
She took step nearer, her straight.
young figure stifened. and her dark
eyes flashed al him. Understand ~; 3,
Mr.. Clifford--Ive made up my mifid.
and made il up definitely, finally. !
am going to do exactly what l want
TO do, and ii is not in your power to
stop me or divert me. You may tell
either of the Mortons III you like
my real course viii not he changed
that viii merely mean that I'll do
what | want to do in some other
wsyt'
clifford did not attempt to answer
Her defiant words, her young figure
so rigid with its det o. mined spirit Of
Worldliness, had set some strange
force working in him; a vague power
seemed to be at conflict with the pur-
pose he had held TO for so long;
strange reyulsion seized him. a rev
olution was under way which was
compelling in its sweeping drive, but
whose -in.en, and direction for a mo-
mept he could. not perceive.
He stood still, and stared at her
And then out. Of the inner turmoil
came a clear. bright order; and then
n" realiY.d that the r"stlsssn-ss. th.