The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-10-22

tof peace nnu Deen
swept away She had striven 50
hard TO win. 1t would have been a
relief TO scream, 10 do anything 10 put
an end TO the Interview, but she was
helpless. What u relentless voice 10
was! Each word seemed as hard as
a blow She was all the more ter
rihle because OF tho restraint she was
evidently putting on herself. Behind
mat quiet manner ragged frenzy OF
nate and bitterness; Lildh could
feel IT,
Il thought perhaps you might be
able TO help me. you knew him 50
Wen, He often spoke of you; he
valued your friendship. You under
stood him, your
mo, you're wrong there" Lnah
interrupted almost Violently. Il did
not understand him r. She saw
Mrs. Monck lookinN at her IN some
surprise and stopped. Il mean" she
went on more quietly, that he WAS
not man who-told you much about
himself; he wasn't easy to under
stand lie was a man OF the world.
and In comparison" her voice har-
dened, 81 was only a silly girl"
He did not give me that impress
sion, and neither do YOU lie didn't
care Tor silly people, men or women.
L
gathered that you and nc saw a good
deal Of one anothor-he always had
woman friends. That is partlv thu
reason / came. I thought you might
be able TO tell me something. I'm n
helpless old woman, wandering in the
dark"
| pcated
Yes, something that all the world
uoesh knOW-tnat might put me on
the HEht track. You knew PERHAPS
more OF his life down here than any
enemy Tell me" Mrs. M No %SJ len h ~;
forward on her stick. her eyes fixed
ON Lllah's face. The words rang out
Sharply like a command She WAS
carried out Of herself
thing like horror.
B don't know what you mean" she
SAN Il can tell you nothing know
nothing
Did he never say "a word? Think
! Nou don't know how much II means
TO me. When ne was taking did he
never say anything that implied "a
doubt or suspicion OF anybody Not
fear; he didn't know what fear was.
gu were friends; you must want him
! 10 be avenged; won't you help me?"
Please uont talk Ike that" Lilah
said in considerable agitation, Il can't
bear IL; II doesn't seem right / don't
think you quite understand. We were
irlcnds-yt s--gNcryUGuy knows every
body ellie here. / liked and admired
your son; he was clever ana interest
ing, different from other people, but
but that was all. You know 4 am GO
ing TO marry Sir Gilbert ChelfOrd.
have been engaged 10 him for some
time. He-hc wouldn't like me TO be
mixed in this"
IL would keep your name out OF e.
] wouldn't betray your confidence
You may safely tell me anything"
But I've nothing TO tell Lilaf
I said, desperately
your son never told me any Sc
Crcts-why should ne? / know nc
more than the rest of the world. I'm
sorry tor you, very sorry, but 1 cal
give you no help. Why not give d
up2 You win wear yourself out. IA,
must have come across so many poo-
pie, made some enemies no doubt
and IL may have been somebody wh'
belonged 10 his old life What chance
would YOU have OF finding him?'
81 must 60 ON. 1 can't stop TO thinl
OF the chances, 1 must keep on, It..
the one thing / have TO live for You
know" she added after "a moment
they say that n YOU give yourself al
body and soul 90 one thing you're
bound 70 get 1t sooner later. Tina
helps me- I'm thinking about II al
day long, and even at night l don'
forget.
Lilah shlvered as II she were cold
That's very bad for YOU" she said
l"iOuI get mopid. You'll imag,n
things-thlngs that are not true, yer!
likely"
81 don't think So I'm not ner
vous, hysterical person. / sha'nt los
my head. - I'm strong enough yet q
do what lies before me. DO you thinl
| / shall fail my son when he has onl,
me TO depend on? | thought / nigh
have found an ally In you, but
seems / was mistaken.
? Il don't know why YOU should hav
! thought that"
Never mind, II was only an oil
) womun's fancy. OF course you hay
! other and ploasanter things 10 thin
Iabout-this for instance" leanin
forward suddenly and picking 1T
b Tie bit Of pink silk OFF Liioh's sleey,
, You are choosing your trousseau|'
Eyes"
"A delightful occupation. And pin
/ is charming coloA the color q
/ youth and happiness, / always thinl
a You viii bs very happy no doubt"
- hope 80, II will be my own iaul
II I'm not" The tone was a trifl
defiant
We'll, I must be going 1t is yer
kind of you TO have put up with m
- for so long" She got up stiffl
o swaying a little as she leant ON h,
a stick. Lilah sPrang forward TO hcl
I her,
o. Thank you, don't trouble. l al
used TO looking after myself. Basil
e she spoke his name quite .Calml,
I was not domesticated perAn, 40
s know lie didn't pay me the little al
{ tentiuns that some sons pay the
e mothers
x you spoit him" Lilah said abrupt
~. "He thought he could do as b
10 liked-that the world was made II
k him" Mrs Monck looked at he
e sharply.
r, "Spoilt him?-Did /? And "
o / wasn't particularly fond or FOOLS
b mother I'm not "a domesticated char
- nctcr myself ! didn't teach him d
3 first steps or go into raptuEes ov,
It his first tooth, / had more intel
10 esting things TO do. SO yC
n think he was spoilt eh?"
il "fes, perhaps, l spoke withol
thinking l hope have not hu
"Oh no. am not as easily hurt ,
mt 1 don't fbIpl 1 cpAflt bf