Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-03-03
CHAPTER v.

The afternoon had been unpleasant
for. both Mrs. Robertson and her
daughter. The lady was s~tudiously icy
to Evelyn, and the girl was utterly
miserable. Robert Percival was away
with Mackenzie. In his absence, al
though the two women ate dinner to-
gether and kept each other company
afterward in the drawing room, their
conversation was limited to the sim
plest commonplaces. The return Of the
men eased the tension. Percival ex-
cused himself almost at once to write
some letters, and as Mackenzie made
evident his eagerness to get Evelyn by
herself, Mrs. Robertson seized a
chance to steal away to her own o
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
a woman, and in spite of his years
and experience, he was almost as
bashful as a young boy.
At length their eyes met, and the
girls lowered, while the color mount
ed in a flood to her hair.
The man was by her side in an in
slant. He had read In the shy, retreat
ing glance what he longed to see.
Evelyn! I-I-I-believe you care
for me, 1 really believe you do" he
exclaimed. "You do, sweet?" he de-
manded, his voice trembling.
YES" whispered Evelyn.
snow, isn't it strange" asked Mar
Gus, after they took up their CONVERSE
ton again, "that while l was gone I
always thought of you, but mot just
like this. Honey, girl, how long have
you loved me? Before-before today?"
ST think always" confessed Evelyn,
with a growing flush.
What a fortunate man Marcus Mac
Kenzie considered himself just at that
moment! He had won the prettiest
girl in Ithaca and she loved him.
"And to think ! only came home
last night" he exulted. 'This time
yesterday YOU were free. my Eve. At
this moment no power can take you
away from me-"
Dreadful ~recollections of Oscar in
trudel upon Evelyn's new happiness.
Oh. if she only had the courage to tell
Marcus. Would he keep on loving her
ard help her to get free, or would he
She glanced into his face. There
wete upon it the marks of breeding,
of pride in himself, his wealth, posi-
tion and power. She knew how highly
he REGARDED the conventions of society.
If she should disclose to him the
secret Of her marriage to the farmer,
he would see nothing but the blot upon
her and turn away in disgust. No, she
couldn't tell him. Despair over
whelmed her and made MacKenzie's
arms burdensome. With an effort she
smiled family and withdrew from him.
Il don't want to let you go, darling"
he laughed. at seems like a beautiful
dreamH"
Eve wished passionately hat she
were at liberty to make the dream
come true.
"You are my beloved" asserted Mar
Gus, and with the girls whispered
"yes," he allowed her to 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.
I've 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
1t. After I'm married to Marcus, I
could get it all back for you. l know
/ could. I've just got to have a lot
Of money, and you can't expect me to
ask Marcus"
~~A@1@E2Se~-A<2EE