Evening star., 1935-01-06
How John Wyatt learned
that the crueIest acts can
sometimes be the kindest

louise.
Her name still made his brain whirl help
lessiy. If he could only stop it-if he could
think about her sanely!
She was no longer his MaylouiSe-she was .
strange girl leading the life of o stranger.
He shrank from imagining that life.
At first, in the hospital, his whole being had
cried out: IF I could only see her for q mo-
ment-just q moment" But that was over
now. He wanted. not to see her, but to think
about her.
And with his eyes fixed on the wistaria again.
he began to think, cautiously at first, but with
. slow, painful clarity.
Downstairs In the library. Johns grand
mother was standing by the window. She was
very like him-tan and slender with dark eyes
and finely cut features. She had been con-
sidered the least lovely OF the three beautiful
Delange sisters but now. at IS. she was the
most fascinating
She was watching q girl come up the drive
way. Anne Montgomerys head was bright
between the cedars, and her face was as tran
gull as the morning. lovely little face. square
and rosy. with dark gray eyes set wide apart
. short, straight nose, and lips that were
always q little parted, giving her an expectant
look that the calm eyes contradicted.
Am frightfully early, Aunt Helene?"
"Not for me. but Johns not down."
II don't want to see him right now" said
Anne. May talk to you for . mnute?"
"Of course Let's sit in the garden"
THEY went across the lawn to the box
! bordered inclosure overlooking tine river
In the middle of the green square stood an
old sundial brought by Mrs. Wyatt's grand
father from his garden in France.
It was a slender marble pedestal inscribed
with q legend that was very old, yet new for
sundials Isl jeunesse savait, 81 vieillesse
pouvait." The words reminded Mrs. Wyatt Of
something.
why Anne. it's your birthday! How stupid
of me to forget, when we're coming to your
party tonight"
Anne said sobery: I'm afraid you won't
want to come, Aunt Helene"
why not? 1t will do John good He must
begin to see people, you know"
HE won't want to see Maylouise. She
telegraphed last night that she and Bill were
on their way up
"Oh!" said Mrs. Wyatt
"But" Anne went on gently. 'if only John
could come-Aunt Helene. Maylouise has
changed. I visited her at Christmas, and I
don't know what it is, exactly, but she's not q
bit the same. But if John could see her now
know he wouldn't go this way-blaming
himself. .about that girl.
"She would have eloped with Bill anyway.
I saw it coming. And it's all SO horrible for
John" she broke off, her head bent.
Mrs. Wyatt said gently: "You love him, don't
you. Anne?"
II suppose always have" said Anne simply.
"Ever since we were little"
After a moment she went on: II suppose I
ought to be happy now, and am, in q way.
They shouldn't ever have married. You know
about Mayouise-how she's never been taught
to control herself. She good with John at
first, but ali last Summer they had terrible
times.
II used to pray that something would
happen to prevent their getting married, and
then it did. and it only hurt John and didn't
help me at ALT" She laughed unsteadily. "Ls
life always upside down. Aunt Helene?"
Mrs. Wyatt said slowly: II wonder if he
ought to meet her.
He ought-if he's going to forget her.
But don't make him. Just tell him she's COM
ing-I can't, because I've never mentioned her
since the accident.
You see, I'm the one person in the world
who mustn't speak of Maylouise to hm-no
matter how much want to-" Anne added with
soft bitterness, and for q brief moment Mrs.
Wyatt saw the depth of her disappointment in
the little spoiled sister whose naughtiness Anne
had always forgiven until it hurt the one person
in the world whom she loved more than
Maylouise.
Then the girl smiled family Don't worry
about me, Aunt Helene. Perhaps he'll forget
her some day, and If ne doesn't we're still
friends, and I'm grateful for that. afraid
he'd hate me because of her. It's been heav-
emily being with him this Spring
you've been heavenly said Mrs. Wyatt,
kissing her.
A LII his life John Wyatt never knew what
his grandmother said that made him go
that evening Perhaps it was what she
did not say. Whichever it was he found him
self following her out into the warm darkness
that smeled of honeysuckle and damp earth
and boxWood
They reached the house. and lights, faces,
swan before him There was Anne. water
maiden in green, and Mrs. Montgomery. Other
faces. scme strange, many familiar-and May