The Washington times., 1920-12-12

leaves OF that aged tree, In low
soft murmur OF hoary wisdom
seemed to be whispering TO Adeia.
soothing her tense nerves ana
aching heart.
~This Is life" the breeze was
saying. ancient and Infinite, as IL
always was and always VIII pc
with pain and heartaches and poig-
nant Intervals OF suffering-a per
petuals stream that you cannot
avoid or evade. For you and she
and the child and the tree-all AMI.
mate nature-are an integral part
of the stream" Yet why did this
unconscious young mother elect 10
bring disaster into her, Adeia's.
life? His child!-Her heart seemed
charged to the breaking point.
And when Grace lifted her head
she perceived an auburn silken ten
drill of hair blowing about Adela's
clear-cut profile. that was sculpt.
ured like the face on a coin, ana
momentarily lost In reverie.
"How lucky is this beautiful girl,
thought Grace to the soft tune OF
the breeze. "She is happy free'
studying art. untouched by sorrow,
with nothing but brilliant good for
tune before her. ! might have been
like her, but =,
isn't 1t a lovely day" she said
aloud, in order to check her somore
reflections. -,
"Beautiful," Adela replied with a
start. 81 suppose you come mere
often with-with"-
"Yes," said Grace. ITS a great
place for baby"
Thus began their acquaintance
that Adela put all the tenacity OK
her passion into continuing. She
took care not to finish the sketch
of the baby that day and to make
an engagement for another AFTER
noon. She did not know whether
she felt liking or hatred Tor TINS
young woman, but the human VIII
clings as tenaciously for one rea-
son as for the other. She became
convinced, however, after two or
three subsequent meetings, that she
could not hate Grace Thomas.
With the uncanny acuteness that
instinct points and sharpens, Adeia
was playing her role to nicely.
She made her own condolences very
gradually and never attempted to
force the others. She had produced
several sketches OF the BABY ana
even asked leave to do drawing
of Grace herself She accompanied
Grace to her small apartment and
thew seemed quite old friends when
Adela casually let fall the fact that
her home was in Little Rapids,
Nebraska.
Little Rapids!" exclaimed unsus-
picious Grace, and Adela's heart
stood still. ooh, have a friend
who comes from there. He's gone
now" she added sadly, sin the
army"
For an eternity, 1t seemed to
Adela. she was unable to reply.
Her pulses were throbbing vio-
lently and her throat was dry.
Finally she forced herself to say:
"Wonder-I wonder If know
him. I think know most people
there-it's small town.
"Mr. West" Grace answered
gravely, with a distant look in her
ewes. "Mr. Anthony West"
"Why-yes," stammered Adela,
81 do know him. We went-to
school together." And she was
amazed at her own self-control.
isn't he a lovely fellow" Grace
exclaimed with enthusiasm: on:
lovely! And he's been awfully good
to me" Her eyes were suddenly
misty. 81 don't know what III 40
now he's cove" and her lip quiv-
cred. "Why-he-he saved me.
Observation-Disclosures myself.
Oh. how hope nothing'll happen to
him"
Adela felt herself baffled, Devil
dered. She could draw no clear
conclusion as YET but the tone OF
Grace was not the tone OF an In
jured woman.
Condolences were now in order
and they followed rapidly.