Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-04-06
CHAPTER v.

daughter. The lady was studiously 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 commonplace. 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 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
a 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
slant. He had read in the shy, retreat
ing glance what he longed to see.
"Evelynl I-I-I-believe you care
for me. I really believe you do" he
exclaimed. "You do, sweetT he de-
manded, his voice trembling.
"Yes," whispered Evelyn.
snow, isn't 1t strange" asked Mar
Gus, after they took up their converse
ton again, shat while was gone I
always thought Of you, but not just
like this. Honey, girl, how long have
you loved me? Before-before today"
II think always" confessed Evelyn,
with a growing flush.
What 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 1 only came home
last night" he exulted "This time
yesterday you were free, my Eve. At
away from me-"
Dreadful recolIectiOns 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 it the marks of breeding,
Of pride in himself, his wealth, posi-
ton 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 MacKehzie's
arms burdensome. With an effort she
smiled family and withdrew from him.
II don't want to let you go, darling"
he laughed. ut seems like beautiful
dream!'
Eve wished passionately that she
were at liberty to make the dream
come true.
"You are my beloved" asserted Mar
Gus, and with the girls whispered
Eyes," 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.
'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 met I must have
1t. After I'm married to Marcus,
could get It all back for you. I know
I could. I've just got to have a lot
Of money, and You can't expect me to
ask Marcus" AZ
Mrs. Robertson drew away with
shiver.
IF you so forgot yourself, your
family and your name as to do such
thing, should dlsown you, Evelyn"
she said, finality in her tones.
Evelyn rose YEARLY. 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. ''Tll man.
age some way, thoughoOnly God knows
how"
Mrs. Robertson took up her book and
gazed sternly at her daughter over the
top Of it.
every well, Evelyn" she said, TN.
graciously. you're Of age. If that's
the way you feel about 1t, there's moth
ing more to be said."
Whereupon the speaker began to
read, and a very hopeless girl crept
out Of the room.
When Evelyn was repairing the raw
ages made by her emotions. Polly
Hopkins crept into the Robertson gar
den. Her fear OF Mrs. Robertson was
mingled with a 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 theml
She gave a piercing little trill, the
alOnNl she had always used to call