Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-02-24

snee with you. By the way he looked
last night l could tell he was consid.
ering it,"
A handkerchief dropped from Eve
lyn's fingers, and she stopped to pick
II up.
III l lead Marcus on" she suggest
ed. rising, "and-and get him TO ask
me to marry him, will you give me any
sum of money l want?'
Her voice shook with emotion, and
her young face seemed suddenly old
and haggard. Mrs. Robertson had
never seer her daughter in such a
state.
"Sit down a minute, Evelyn" she
commanded. "Now tell MI what you
want money for. I know very well
that you haven't spent what I've al
lowed you upon yourself. That's why
I've refused you so much lately. No
more secrets or mystery! l want the
facts. Now tell me this minute"
The girl dropped into a chair and
buried her face in her hands.
81 can't" she whispered.
For some time she remained In the
same attitude, while her mother
studied her silently. At length the
girl lifted herself erect.
II can't explain" she broke out,
land 1 suppose you're thinking all
kinds Of things. l can't help it If you
do. You'll have to give me the money
l need, if you want me TO marry Marc.
There's no ifs and 'ands' about that.
If you'll give me the money"-she fall
tered, wiped her lips and concluded
slowly, "T1l marry Marcus MaeKen-
zie."
You must be crazy, Eve" Mrs. Rob
ertson said in a cold voice, Ito talk to
me like that. If you have any secrets
from me, it's time you told them"
"Well?' shot from Evelyn sharply,
suppose I have? It's my secret, isn't
it? Are you going to help me or not,
that's the question"
1t was evident to Mrs. Robertson
that the situation was not to be trifled
with. In a twinkling her daughter
had changed from a meek and timid
girl to IN aggressive uni To try
to bully her any more would be a mere
waste of effort.
Heavens" she began, this is a
pretty how to do, / must say. l can't
imagine why you should want money.
1t doesn't make much difference, any
way. There are more reasons than
n why you can't get it from me-"
what are theyg' fell from the girls
lips.
The first is" returned the mother,
tartly. Il don't like being held up in
this high-handed manner by my own
daughter"
She paused and Evelyn caught her
breath. If hat were all, she would
row and rage until she got what she
wanted.
Mother and daughter were staring
at one another, each demanding an ex-
PLANTATION. Evelyn did not intend to
make any, Mrs. Robertson weakened
before the s~teely-blue in the girls
eyes.
But the main reason is" she went
on, Il haven't got it. I don't own this
house, nor-nor-"
Evelyn sprang TO her feet and con-
fronted her mother. Her face was
drawn into cruel lines. and her hands
were gripped systematically.
you lie" she burst forth. you've
always lied TO me about money"
A bitter smile drew down the cor
ners of the older woman's mouth. She
knew how tru the accusation was.
We'll. this time" she answered.
I'm telling you the simple truth. 1
lot only do not WI this house, but"
Then who does own it?n interject-
ed the girl.
Your cousin, Robert Percival," was
the quick response; land he's supplied
all the money we have used. Now
perhaps you won't try TO get some
thing out Of me I haven't got"
Mother" cried the girl, in agony.
II told you. Eve. that you should
know the truth" Mrs. Robertson con-
tinued. You've asked for 1t, and here
ii is. When Roberts father and
mother died, I came here TO take care
of him. I had nothing then and have
nothing now. You were only a baby.
and I've always kept the facts from
you. When Robert went TO war, he
arranged that if he didn't come back,
l should have the home and enough
money TO keep us"
Evelyn's eyes widened. OF a surety
this was the truth.
Then we aren't rich?" she demand
ed huskily.
NO. that were nott" responded the
lady, and what's more. we are de-
pendent upon Robert for everything"
With a quick gesture Evelyn caught
her mothers arm. despair changing
the lines on her face.
"Oh, you needn't be so theatrical.
my dear" said the woman. Roberts
never given me the slightest reason to
feel he thought US a burden. I'm quite