Middletown transcript., 1922-03-04

| eVident MS eagerness to get Evelyn BY
herself, Mrs. Robertson seized {
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
woman. and in spite of his years
and. experience, he was almost as
bashful as young boy.
At length theiE eyes met, and the
girls lowered, while the color mount.
ed In flood to her hair.
The man vas by her side in an in
stant. He had read in the shy, retreat
ing glance what he longed to see.
Evelyn! I-I-I-believe you care
for me, l really believe you do" he
exclaimed. "YOu do, sweet?" he de-
manded, his voice trembling.
"Yes." whispered Evelyn.
snow, isn't 1t strange" asked Mar.
Gus, after they took up their conversa-
ton again, "that while I was gone I
always thought of you, but not Just
like this. Honey, girl, how long have
you loved me? Before-before today ?"
Il think always" confessed Evelyn,
with growing flush.
What fortunate man Marcus Mac
kenzie considered himself just at that
moment! He had won the prettfest
girl In Ithaca and she loved him.
And to think 1 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
truded upon Evelyn's new happiness.
Oh, If 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 1t 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 faintly and Withdrew from him.
II don't want to let you go, darling"
he laughed. at seems like beautiful
drenm ="
ffxe Wished passioRately that 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. Robertsons side.
"rve 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? l must have
1t. After I'm married to Marcus, I
could get it all back for you. know
l could. I've just got to have lot
of money, and you can't expect me to
ask Marcus"
Mrs. Robertson drew away with
shiver.
"1f you so forgot yourself, your
family and your name as to do such n
thing, should disown you, Evelyn"
she said, finallty In her tones.
Evelyn rose wearily. She could
imagine the heights of her mothers
scorn If 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 to
talk to you," she muttered. "I'll man.
age some way, though only God knows
low."
Mrs. Robertson took up her book and |
yazed sternly at her daughter over the |
Top Of 1t.
"very well. Evelyn" she said un.
graciously. you're of age If that's |
The way you feel about it, there's moth
ing more to be stffd."
Whereupon the speaker began to |
read, and very hopeless girl crept |
Dut VI TIE TOOIU.
When Evelyn was repairing the raw
,ges made by her emotions, Polly |
Hopkins crept into the Robertson gar
len. Her fear of Mrs. Robertson was
mingled with thrilling happiness.
She had seen Granny Hope and Wee
Terry eat the fresh eggs; Daddy's
promise would keep him out of trouble
with Old Marc; and the beautiful
stranger would help them!
She gave piercing little trill, the
signal she had always used to call
evelyn from the house. Almost at once
/ figure stepped from the door to the
porch directly in front of her, and ter
'ified, she shrank back among the
ines and clung there.
Silhcuetted against the bright light
vas Robert Percival. He stood gazing
straight ahead of him at the dark
driveway, but turned when Evelyn ap-
reared beside him. Polly heard the
nurmur of their voices, that was ALL
they then disappeared into the house,
evelyn laughingly pushing the soldier
head of her. Quickly the girl came
ut again; and Polly could hear her
breaths as she ran softly
own the steps.
"Shush," hlssed Polly Hopkins.