Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-21

less, eager Derry, whose faults were
more apt to be her own.
Tonight she went with them to the
nursery, where their little table was
already set for supper and their
small white beds already neatly turn
ed down.
Mothers going to give us our
baths!" shouted Jim. Both boys look
ed at her eagerly; Rachael smiled
doubtfully.
Mothers afraid that she will have
to dress, to meet Daddy downtown"
she began resretfully, when old Mary
i~nterposed respectfully: ::
Excuse me, :. Mrs. Gregory. But
Dennison took a message from Doc
tor this afternoon. l happen to know
It because Louise asked me If 7 didn't
think she had better order dinner for
you. Doctor has been called to AL
bany on a case, and vas to let you
know when to expect him..
"Goody - goody - good : good"
shouted Jim, and Derry Joined in
with a triumphant Shrek. and clasp
ed his arms tightly about his moth
er's knees. Rachael had turned a
little pale, but she kissed both boys.
and only left them long enough to
change her gown to something loose
and comfortable.
Then she came back to the nur-
sery. and there were baths, and
games, and suppers, and then stories
and prayers before the Are, Mary and
Rachael laughing over the fluffy
heads. revealing in the beauty of the
little bodies.
When they were in bed she went
down to a solitary dinner, and, az
she ate it, her thoughts went back TO
other solitary dinners years ago. Ut
ter disbursement and something
like a great. acknowledging fear pos
sessed her. She was afraid of life
She had denied her arnaor, broken
her steel; she had been flung back
and worSted in the fsht.
What was the secret, then, Rachael
asked the fire, if youth and beauty
like 50 many straws? Why was Alice
'%contented, and she, Rachael, torn by
q thousand conflicting hopes and
fears? Why was it, that with all her
cleverness. and all her beauty, the
woman who had been Rachael Fair.
fax. and Rachael breckenridge, and
Rachael Gregory. had never vet felt
sure of joy,- had never dared lay
>, hands upon 1t bodily, and know it to
pretended. and distrusted where
women of infinitely lesser gifts had
been able to enter into the kingdom
with such utter, certainty and sereni,
ty? -
Sitting through the long evening b,
the fire. in the drowsy silence Of the
big drawfng-room. Rachael felt hel
eyes grow heavy. Who was unhappy
who was happy-what was all life
about anywfay-
<Dennison and old Mary came in a
J A1Ayor o9S1 l00La1 Of ha~ foH , L..
five minutes. Their eyes said a greal
many things, although neither spoke
aloud. The fire had burned low, the
light Of a shaded lamp fell, softly or
the sleeping woman's face. There
was a little frowi between the beau.
tiful brows. and once she fsstghet
lightly. like a child.
The man stepped softly back into
the hall, &nd Mary touched her, mis-.
tress.
MRS. Gregory. you've dropped Of
to, sleep"
Rachael reused. looked up. snilini
bewilderedly. Her look seemed t
search the shadows beyond the i, ole
won1an's form. Slowly the new lcol
OF strain and sorrow ann hack init
her eyes. ~, [
why. 80 I did" che said, tettini
to her feet. II think TIL 20 upstairs
Any message from Doctor Gregory
mo message, Mrs. Gregory" I
Thank you. Mary, good night
Rachael ven slowly out through IN,
dtrnly lighted arch of the hall dook
way and slowly upstairs. She DELHI
erately passed the nursery door. Hel
heart was too full to risk a visit t
tho boys tonight. She lighted he,
room and sank daSedly into a chair.
II dreamed that W were just mar
ried, and in the old studio" she said
halt aloudi II dreamed I had tn,
old-feelinE again. Of being o sure
and so beloved! I thought Warner
had come home early and hat
brought me vtolets!"
CHAPTER WI.
A day later pennison brought vi
the card Of Miss Margaret Clay. Ra
chael turned 1t slowly In her hands
pondSr4ng. with . quickened heart
best. andsa hlctuatinf color. Masst,