Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-08-22
MAeEL's TRUST.
A Short story.
By N. MeCULLooCH. WILLIAMS.

err In full food OF May morning song, /
yet Needed her call, came to the ledge, |
gobbled fly or 30. then filled his
beak and flew away TO his mate brood !
ing precious eggs in the honeysuckle |
arbor beyond the garden gate.
He knew Mabel for O. friend. Now
for three years he had had the free !
dom OF the Weir place. and the pro-
lection OF its human occupants. Cats !
we're taboo there--Snip. the alert black |
and tan terrier, accounted for any rat
bold enough TO intrude. Snip was as
friendly as his owners--even II nest- |
ling f'uttered prematurcly from the
nest, he merely watched them gravely,
never Offering them harm. Mabel hu
mored the birds shamefuliy. not grudg-
ing them the first and best strawber-
ries nor forgetting treats OF hard
boiled eggyolk when the babies were
very new. Liberal too, in the matter
Of crumbs and snippets Of fat. Indeed,
It is rather a wonder that the Knockers
did not come 70 depend wholly upon
her largesse.
In return for II she had floods OF
silver melody throughout the day.
Aunt Pcrsis grumbled sourly--the bird
she was sure gave her bad dreams
she never had them except when he
was so loud. But Mabel only laughed
at her-as she laughed at everything
now that she was so happy. JOY had
lcome with spring mornings after
dreary winter OF waiting, OF agonized
suspense.
Existence had been reasonably sun
4 Ii ,Ia uL herself
fortunate and happy before she knew.
Now all the years behind seemed but
agreeably drab. beside the glorious
rainbow shining OF the new present.
Love had come-and gone, Ike sun
CLEAN betwfxt storm cloues-there had
been no word, no sign. only those
things eyes may speak to eyes, 10 feed
her hungry heart through the years
of Peytons absence. Two internninable
years OF unbroken silence-then the
letter, all too brief, saying II have
slain the lions in my path. and ar
coming to claim my own"
Three days more Of waiting? She
was not impauent-they would run or
racing feet And they would be 81
full-all the place must be in festiva
- array. The happiness Of making It g
almost frightened her. If anythini
should happen-bravely she refused Z
think anything could. Looking afte
her winged pensioner, she gave thank
he had helped her 10 wake throug
II the brief night. filed every secon
with thrilling Joy. She had put b
y all thought of the lions. knowing we
they must have been savage and fear
full to make Peyton hesitate in claim
a ing her Enough that he loved hei
was coming to her-whether for a
hour or forever did not greatly mat
ter. He had but to say Follow me,
land she would go with him 10 tn
worlds end, forsaking all things els
q in cleaving only to him.
ls The wide house stood open to swee
<" morning airs as she ran down n
I'd great stairway. Aunt Persis was com
-. ing up the gray stone steps her ia
basket heaped with royal red rose
CANNED with dew. Her mood was m
tn however rosy. She dropped her bal
hit ket saying fretfully: Il do wish thel
all were no telephones-then we needr
know Of troubles until they came"
Who's troubling who this heaven
eid morning?" Mabel asked gayly. H
to launt looked down. answering in ha
rs voice: Long distance has just told \
nd John Bassett is coming, the same da
or likely on the same train. as Roy
,d- Peyton."
rs II can't be glad TO see him" Nah
a shot back truthfully: Amy outsid
must be unwelcome just then. Did y
'3e tell John why he had better ST
away-at least until after"
aid mo need-when I said Roy W
ac- looming he growled. know it-that
what's bringing me. And rung
"a. right there-not telling me where
could reach him-you know he is me
always some place ne ought not TO o.
of Aunt Persis interrupted. Nal
ith turned away. with faint shuddeI
John Bassett was. she knew. anott
ED name for trouble. Nephew and h
TO the Gardner who had been Au
[rs. Persists husband, that ladys plan a
md hope had been TO see him Mabels hl
her band. He was college-bred, rich. IA
as looking and dominant. You are
lick only thing I want and have not be
ks. liable to get" he had said TO Mabel
ow ter a third refusal, six months ba
OF But don't think I'm giving you al
SIS ,,o,r 1,aka nm in vo,lr right senses
III and by
Recalling his set mouth, his burnt
eyes, Mabels heart sank-almost
'eer stantly it rebounded. singing for j
- She was alone, her own mistress, Il
" of everything but the love bond,
i'0 chain that not even the hottest fl
tee could melt. With a soft smile she
.-p her aunt into breakfast, saying cle'
na ly: "I don't hate the 'phone-but
rhe IL how should ever manage TO hs
nth ehousn ~. wv
yas than one?"
,rcs Royal Peyton did not come by tr'
&C Instead in swift motor. with II
on, ing driver at the wheel, minis
she snug inside, and for luggage only
was brief case and box after box of
for costliest flowers He began at on
dis setting them here. there, everywhe
I'VE must be married in two houi
he said. smiling down at Mabel, VIII
wife ne had taken openly in his arms VI
any the steps. "You will not ask explal
d. tions-I read that In your eyes.
'cu- want no crowd--only witnesses ;
49, TWO or three SueStS. ocaiu iot thSA
Hrs' whoever you choose. My chauf1eul
70 wizard at finding places and peol
They must make haste; we shall
~ straight back 70 the port. A va
waits there for us--the good s
~ Mabel. soon to be doubiy mine"
.,sa AS in a dream Mabel obeyed h
,een one hao never any .eai
we're what came - pass peAoie sne o
cry beside Peytoh With 'he niiiiseet ii'