Omaha daily bee., 1922-06-04
Elisabeth Dejeans

could not look away from his intent gasA
She felt that he saw In her eyes the feeling
Of sickness she could not control.
He paAsed her without speaking and shs
was incapable Of speech. Then. In dassd
way, she heard Gibbs say. " She Ia hcrs
madam He was holding Mira punbarton-
Kents door open and was waiting for Marie
70 20 In.
Mrs. punbarton. Kent had been walking
about; now she stood In the center OF the
room, an energetic bulk. "Iil bs down In
twenty minutes" she said 10 Gibbs. and to
Marie, "Coms In. You weren't at the "a
rass when ], called up frst7"
Marie courtesied. 81 was walking. ms
dam" she answered huskily.
Thcn Mrs. Dunbarton,Kent noticed her
white faca whats the matterf" she do
mAnded.
81 am tired. madams-and anxious b.
cause I must toll YOU"
-You spent the afternoon walking and
worrying. OF course" Mrs. Dunbarton'kent
interrupted "Have . headache and all the
rest Of II and all because OF q man. man
who's In love and thinks he's siot going 10
have things all bis own way is harder 70
handle than . porcupins. He's enough To
make even q hippopotamus nervous" and
Mrs. Dunbarton-kent seated herself a. heav'
lily a. might the animal she mentioned
you've been picking out the porcupins
quilts all afternoon. OF course, and. a. you're
not hippo. you've made yourself sick Over
Il Put the pillows behind you on the couch
thers-I want to talk to you.'
Marie obeyed her. Evidently Ars Dunbar
ton.Kent was going to talk about West Shs
was annoyed with him. but she did not seem
A. -AA1
Mrs. Dunbarton- Kent had to say. then tell
her that she could not love West and that
she must leave Kent HousA Leaving Mrs.
Dunbarton Kent would bs like parting from
Z dear friend. and leaving Kent House like
leaving ones home never to return. Maris's
throat ached from the tears abe was trying
10 restrain.
What Mrs. Dunbarton.Kent said was Ut
terly unexpected.
"Marie Angouleme. what sort Of life Do
you think have here at Kent House with
three people who don't love me or each
other?" ..
Marie was 20 surprised that she did not
answer.
Mrs Dunbarton.Kent answered her own
question, and forcibly. "A lonely. anxious
existence! There's something In the nature
with my nature about as successfully as on
does with water. had q wonderful hus
band. child loved every inch Of him and
every word he uttered. but haven't him any
more I've had an empty heart ever since
he left me-" her small. usually swapping eyes
filed, I" and evidently didn't deserve a child
II prayed every day Of my married life for
. child-but haven't any" She paused and
steadied her voice to its usual abruptness
You're a lonely child like you. I'm not
often mistaken In such things-f know you
like me. I'm a lonely old woman-I want
you to come into Kent House and be my
xSmpanion. Not a servant, mind you! Just
. bit Of sunshine to Offset the gloom"
For one moment Marie stared into a desc
late, homeless space, vista unobstructed by
Kindness or interest; then her face began to
culver. "o-madam--r Then she burst
into tears.
"Come over here to me, child" Mrs. Dun
barton-Kent said In an astonishingly soft
voice, and Marie went gropingly to her and
Mrs. Dunbarton.Kent drew her down until
Marie knelt beside her. She put her huge
arm about Marie's neck and Marie buried
her face In Mrs. Dunbarton-kent's ample lap.
She stroked Marie's hair. you be my
little friend" she said In the same soft way.
You shall have home with me-"
1T is such ~ Kindness" Marie sobbed,
and was about to tell you that mre
leave Kent House."
"Why, child?"
Because-because was so unhappy. NJ
heart felt broken"
"You didn't want to leave Kent Eop.z.
but you thought it was going to be pretty
hard for you here. eh?"
Eyes, madame"
Every girl should have her chance to Ct
least guess at the nature of the man who
wants her-give him his chance, too, say.
More often than not marriage Is two guesses
gone wrong-hut let them have their chance
There may be q good deal of the worse about
it-this Is not a joyous householdEbut you'll
dwell in Kent House-for better or for worse
will you Marie Angouleme?"
Marie turned her face and kissed Mrs Dun
barton-Kent's hand. ITO have a home and
you for dear frtend-I could not have
thought OF anything more wonderful I shall
try hard to be deserving. madame"
believe you," Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent said
decidedly. Then with grim amusement: "It'I
be surprise to some people, but why not
get a little fun out Of life? Do you know
why wanted that dress of yours, Marie?"
1t seemed to Marie that year had passed
since the forgotten incident No, madame"
' I took it to woman who makes pretty
things in two days time. You're going to
have an evening gown"
"Madame" Though the tears hung on
Marie's lashes, her lips trembled into smile
Then she said with quick independence: But
for that must pay-I will care for the cars
and drive you"
"Care for the carsr' Mrs. Dunbarton-Ken
positively. Didn't tell you you
were to turn into girl? You can drive mo
and make lace the rest Of tho time II you
want to, but you're going to have the room
next to mine and go down with me to bre-k.
fast, lunch and dinner. I'll see that you
have pin money and plenty over. and your
earn it-youu have your troubl,s"
Marie had not grasped at all what Mra
Dunbarton-Kent's offer Of home really
meant; sitting at the same table with Breck.
with Bella, and with West, to become one Of
the family. Mrs. Dunbarton- Kent meant
that she and West were to Judge Of each
other. 1t would be terribly difficult: seeing
Breck every day. knowing the family secret
Ind hiding the knowledge: West would be
itmculty. Then Marie gathered resolution.
Only BY win can I do it." she said to her
Delf
Mrs Dunbarton-Kent had watched M.ris's
oppression. "Well?" she asked.
was thinking that had not understood
nully all your kindness I was afraid that I
night not prove worthy to be taken Into
'our family. But, madame. can try"
Iaet us hone tho "a ynflv will nrov> vvor<hv