The Glenwood post., 1924-12-11
c.,yrish. By u..l.. Brow. aaA C.

The world seemed very good place
to Lady Mary as, from the depths of
her chair under the cedar tree on the
following afternoon, she watched Chris
topher, conducted as far as the terrace
by the butler, descend the steps lightly
and move across the lawn toward her
He walked with the dignity and as
surance Of man whose life is being
worthily lived. 1t was long way
across the lawn. and the girl who
waited for his coming had time for
crowd of pleasant thoughts as she
watched the approach of the man on
whom she had set her heart. Every
thing that he did and had done in life
appealed to her. He had sentiment
enough-that was proved by the ten
derness for MYRTLE to which he had
confessed that night at Monte Carlo, a
night which she had always remem-
bered as one of the unhappiest of her
life. She had long since been con-
vinced, both by his manner and Myr-
tiles, that the tenderness, such as it
had been, had become merged in
purely fraternal and kindly regard. OF
his reticence toward herself she
thought nothing. He was possessed
as she well knew, of very high sense
of honor, and she had always felt that
however greatly she might have de-
sired to hear his declaration, he would
say nothing until he had passed def
nitely out of the somewhat miscel-
laneous category of rising young men
into the position of one whose future
IL assured. To-day he was the young
est K. G., and seat in parliament
was almost within his reach. She
thought Of her own fortune with a
deep sense Of pleasure. 1t was larger
than he imagined, larger than any one
else except herself and her father
make the best of himself. free for all
time from any shadow of financial
worry. How well he looked, how
strong and eagerl She held out both
her hands as he drew near, and her
smile Of welcome made her for a mo-
ment radiantly beautiful
"How delightful to see you, Chris
tophSAi ouS SACluilucu. Ahu Whhl
wonderful news! It's just what you
wanted, isn't it, and Just what we all
wanted for you"
He took her hands and stood smiling
down at her. Her heart was beginning
to beat more quickly. She hoped that
he would suggest walking in the
gardens.
n nj NJ c{x RI n hn
suggest the gardens. He had looked
around for a moment. almost as though
disappointed to find her alone. Still
her heart did not misgive her. She
thought him a little nervous, and she
smiled tolerantly.
"You were a dear to telegraph to me
at once" she said. II can't tell you
II wanted you all to know" he de-
clared, looking around once more.
allow is every one?"
"In excellent health, thank you," she
answered. Father is having his usual
afternoon sleep. Gerald has been
here. but, as l dare say you know, he
went away this morning. We must
talk about him later, Christopher.
am rather worried-but that can
wait. VIII you sit down, or would
you like to see how wonderful the
gardens are?'
He looked at her little apologeti-
cally, yet without the slightest idea Of
how great an apology was needed.
II wondered" he said, IF could
see MYRTLE"
"Myrtile?" Mary repeated.
He assented little sheepishly, yet
with rather engaging smile.
II wanted to see her and tell her
about It," he confided. "She won't
understand just what 1t means, per-
haps, but she's SO much more of
woman now"
His voice seemed to come from
long way Off. 1t seemed all part of
horrible nightmare, something unreal,
some black thought, the flgment Of
nocturnal fancy. Then she was con-
sclous Of his standing before her,
waiting. -expectant, with the eagerness
Of lover In his eyes.
"Mytile went down to gather some
IOsSS, size tOlu Illlll. LOU VIII lllu
her at the end of the pergola."
He was gone almost before the
words had left her lips, gone with
some sort of mumbled excuse, uncon-
sclous Of the tragedy he had created.
clumslly obvious of the fierce strug-
gle which had kept her calm and col
lected. She turned her head and
Nal,4 = I,t, Ii.
eager footsteps, saw his tall figure
stOop as he entered the pergola. Her
fingers tore at the sides of her chair.
She looked ut the distance between her
and the terrace steps. If only she
could escape! Her limbs for the time
seemed powerless. She sat there with
all the healthy color drained from her
cheeks, her fixed eyes seeing nothing
but the ruin OF her confident hopes.
Cha rnrld 600 harsnif prOwinu oId