The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-05-11
CHAPTER v.

W b''ight hhu Tue EiII WIS utteTll
miserable. Robert Percival was ava,
with Mackenzie. In his absence. al
though the two women ate dinner TO
gether and kept each ether company
afterward In the drawing room, theIi
conversation was limited to the sim
plest commonplaces. The return Of IN,
men eased the tension. Percival ex
cused himself almost at once to write
some letters, and as Mackenzie made
evident his eagernsss to get Evelyn by
herself, Mrs. Robertson seized O
chance to steal away to her own room
For some time after her departure
the girl and the man were silent. This
was the first time in Mares life that
his heart had been really touched by
q woman, and In spite of his years
and experience, he was almost as
bashful as young boy.
At length their eyes met, and the
girls lowered while the color mount.
ed In flood to her hair.
The man was by her side in an in
stant. He had read In the shy. retreat
Ing glance what he longed to see.
"Evelynl 1-I-I-belleve you care
for me. | really believe you do" he
exclaimed. "You do. sweet7" he de-
manded, his voice trembling.
"Yes," whispered Evelyn.
Now, isn't It strange" asked Mar
Gus, after they took up their conversa-
tion again, that while / was gone /
always thought OF you, but not Just
like this. Honey, girl, how long have
you loved me1 Before-before today -
II think always" confessed Evelyn,
with growing flush.
What a fortunate man Marcus Mnc-
Kenzie considered himself just at that
momentl He had won the prettiest
girl In Ithaca; and she loved him.
"And to think only came home
last night" he exulted. "Thls time
yesterday you were free, my Eve. At
this moment no power can take you
away from me-"
Dreadful recollections Of Oscar in
truded upon Evelyn's new happiness.
Oh, IL she only had the courage to tell
Marcus Would he keep on loving her
and help her to get free, or would he
She glanced into his face. There
were upon II the marks OF breeding.
OF pride In himself, his wealth, posi-
tion and power She knew how highly
he regarded the conventions of society.
II she should disclose to him the
secret Of her marriage to the farmer,
he would see nothing but the blot upon
nor md In, .la
couldn't tell him. Despair over
whelmed her and made MacKenzle's
arms burdensome. With an effort she
smiled fnlntly and withdrew from him.
81 don't want to let you 60. darling"
he laughed. ut seems like beautiful
dreaml"
Eve wished passionately that she
were at liberty to make the dream
come true.
"You are my beloved" asserted Mar
cus, and with the girls whispered
"yes," he allowed he, 20 leave the
room.
Evelyn went Immediately to her
mothers apartment and, opening the
door, slipped In and sank down upon
the floor at Mrs. Robertson's side.
'Tve told him I'd marry him." she
said, with trembling lips. Mother
dear, oh, please, mother dear, don't
you think you could borrow some mon
ey from Robert for me? I must have
II. After I'm married TO Marcus.
could get II all back for you. know
could. I've just got TO have lot
OF money. and you can't expect me TO
ask Marcus"
Mrs. Robertson drew away with a
shiver.
"If you so forgot yourself your
family and your name as to do such a
thing. | should dlsown you, Evelyn"
she said, fnality In her tones.
Evelyn rose wearlly. She could
imagine the heights OF her mothers
scorn II she discovered the actual sit
uation. She felt that she would rather |
tell Mackenzie than the unsympa-
thetic, frowning woman In the chair.
There's no use, mother In trying 10 |
talk TO you" she muttered. "I'll man. |
age some way. though only God knows
how"
Mrs. Robertson took up her book and |
gaZed sternly at her daughter over the
top of IL.
"very well, Evelyn" she said. un.
you're ot age. II that's
the way you feel about Il. there's moth
ing more TO he said"
Whereupon the speaker began 10
read. and very hopeless girl crept
out Of the room.
When Evelyn was repairing the raw
ages made by her emotions, Polly
crept into the Robertson gar
den. Her fear OF Mrs. Robertson was
mingled with thrilling happiness.
She had seen Granny Hope and Wee
Jerry eat the fresh eggs; Daddy's
promise would keep him out OF trouble
with Old Marc; and the beautiful
stranger would help themI
She gave a piercing little trili. the
signal she had always used 10 call
Evelyn from the house. Almost at once
4 fiQura stanned from, fha daor to tha