Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-04
CHAPTER VII
Tho Shadow Of the Future

Molly had questioned Mrs. Fernald
acs or twice about those days, but had
Arned very little.
The boys were out of sight now.
Plough she could hear their shrill
teices calling to one another through,
HE wood; the afternoon sun was set .
tls-lonk golden shafts Of light pierced
EAe thick leaves of the trees in dazzling
ttdance.
Molly stood still for a moment to
Iock back up the narrow pathway down
which she had come; fairy pathway
looked; she wondered what 1t was
lite out here In the moonlight; some
hsht she would come for herself and
She had moved again to go home.
when suddenly she heard the sound of
,hhed sobbing close ut hand: some one
~ distress--a woman.
bhe listened for a moment. then set
~ quickly in the direction from which
lhs sound came.
The narrow path curved. here to an
'nd. and as she rounded the curve she
NV John Harden and Lilith standing
'olether in the golden sunshine.
harden's back was turned to her !:
was STOPPING towards Lilith, speak
as urgently, and Lilith was crying,
yiss bitterly, her face hidden in her
Molly hardly dared to breathe. The
olt moss on the narrow path deadened
nf football, and neither Harden nor
Lliith knew she was there.
cne had not seen Harden since that
Ivy when he had found her with Mrs.
.uhaid IN the empty house. and there
NV curious eagerncss in her eyes as
@ looked at him.
&c was so tall-so broad
mltic sigh caught her. She was a ro.
..ntlc little person; her idea of the
|lWltaDle lover who would some day
rvme into her life had always been a
~ much older than herself a man
n a stern face. and certainly with
|'s, that was turning gray.
harden fulfilled all these oualities
I.it u sent pang of jealousy to
R|aely's heart. to see the way I'm which
ras stopping over Lilith .Fernald.
.aere was something in his attitude
s.n'e!hihg in spite Of the obvious
which. he was putting upon
ln al mat seemed to speak of pent-
W smotion. Molly was vaguely con-
s:;u us OF II, though she could not ex.
ksIn .s u to herself. and there was n little
stasning sensation in her throat when
saIsa I moment she turned and went
'1ess'y back down the narrow path.
y. Mnth had known John Harden wears
80 Me remembered the startled look
~" ~" race when he had come across
I I.. 80 unexpectedly in the empty
ase that evening-the swift aeitation
pu;"L,a aad risen and faded again so
suSkly in his eyes. ~
bd Jdta I ne ever been in love with Lilith? ?
Ng ne still love her? '"
nth was married--shc had n bus.
IN 5u VINO was devoted to her: surely
w was satisfied? " su''''
hiHn ihasscribable depression had
,sn. na on Molly's usual brightness shc
HhSu nome slowly and thOughtfuliy.
~ W. did not want her supper: she
~. me boys arguing at the tnble and
ISt a. upstairs to her room.
asSas as opened the window wide. and
sea out into the street.
4. .He ts village looked unusually deserted.
puch hoaIsht; 1t suddenly struck her how
lSrs t sne would hate to have to stay
Th.,sos ,os the rest Of her life.
,en e @ were people in the VILLAGE
Nm "nu women, tOo--who had never
ittia "i1re than ten miles distant from
rssic e,pton. 1t struck Molly with
n NY leaned her elbows on the window
IN %rosred stared np at the gray blue sky
40 "avr 10 live here all ones life.
Vii "p.hing of tho, world--thc won.
ocautiiul world Of which she