The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-10-21
CHAPTER NJ.
tCout.nued

tCoutnucdI
- IN threw down the book and
stretched out her arms as
though she were shaking
- on some burden Then she
leaned forward, on a sudden im-
pulse, and looked at herself intenuy
in the glass. Had she changed very
much, she wondered. she fct SO
much older; she. was quite a differ
ent being Did 10 show? She shook
the cloud Of gold hair. Not very
mucni few weeks Of happiness
would do away with all the teil-tale
signs. She was too young to have
lines. Her beauty did not depend on
colorlng alone Happiness. yes. but
was she going TO have that? Peace
ana torgetulness she might win, but
happiness was q big thing
The eyes I'm The glass stared back AZ
those other eyes that looked and looked
as though they were searching for
something. Les yeuK verts. wont "a
Icnter" that was what he had said
once. II flashed back on her now. as
MS words 80 often did. And he had
added that he was ready 90 70 with
them wherever they went such a
thing would never have occurred to
Gilbert; the idea would shock him.
nc thought Of her as going quite the
other way. Well. 20 she would, now
she was free OF the Influence that
had dragged her down She would
redeem the past, be all that he wished.
II she made him happy surely that
would 20 long way toward atone
ment
But Gilbert had no misgivlnrs. lie
wHtked home feeling happier than he
had done for months past His heart
was as light as a bird. and 70 had
lain IN his breast very heavy OF late
How different everything was. He
looked round with a smile; ne was "a
friend OF an the world. he wanted
everybody 10 rejoice with him.
shes mine again; IN make her
happy-I'n make her happy" he was
saying 70 himself over and over
again. They would live IN the dear
old house. among the people he rad
known all his life. Lilah would soon
love II as much as he did New
people could come 20 the cottage. and
Basil Monck would be forgotten; Il
would all be like a bad dream.
lie was sorry his mother was away.
that there was nobody at home to
whom he could tell the good news: he
was not accustomed to be thrown
back on himself His mother would
be glad for his sake. he knew. and
soon she would welcome Lilah for her
own. There had been an estrange-
mCnt, but that would disappear now
that the cause was no longer there.
Look which way he would. the signs
were all favorable and he could see
no cloud. His heart rose up ia
Thanksgiving; out OF darkness had
come Hight They would value their
happiness all the more because II had
been In peril.
lie ran up 70 his room lightly as a
boy and hung open the door. Johnson
was pdtting out his dress clothes, and
looked round with a start. Gilbert
laughed the hearty laugh which had
H. itated Lilah sometimes.
Did ] startle you? / didn't know
you had any nerves, suppose | did
come In with rather a rush." he said
IT'S nothing. STR. / didn't hear you
come up. was thinking OF other
things"
You do too much thinking. John
son; we've all done too much lately,
but that's all going TO be changed"
Gilbert did not see the quick glance
that his man gave him: he was too
busy with hts own thoughts. Were
going 20 brighten up, be gay and friv-
olous and happy It's been n sad
house OF late, but / hope those days
ore over"
Yea, sir" Johnson murmured re-
Bpectfullv
Il may as well tell you that Miss
Bake and l are 10 be married soon
in two or three months So YOU see,
there's plenty 70 be done; the old
place will have 20 he smartCned up
a bit. l want everything 20 look it's
best for her" Glib n could not keep
his good news to himself
"Of course, sir. / see, sir. / hope
youW be very happy"
'TSy the way, Johnson" Gilbert hes
itated. 'Td better give you a word Of
warning D0n't speak about the muir
der 20 Miss Blake I want her TO for
ret all about H. or course l don't
suppose YOU would unless she hap
pencd 70 first, but even then. say as
little ms possible. / would rather the
matter were dropped entirely IN the
house. II possible The others will
follow your lead"
81 will remember what you say
sir"
IT'S better for all OF us that we
should nut ~ out Of our minds now;
rs been discussed long enough.
hope / haven't hurt your feelings nv
SAVING tNis You will und Crstand I
mean No disrranoct 10 Mr. MOnck."
Il quite un4o~a'o7d. sir"