"Then it will have the grace of that much age to give it some small
touch of flavour," said the girl. "Come early in the morning."
She lifted the violin and began to play.
"Well bless my soul!" ejaculated the astounded Mrs. Comstock. "To think
I was worrying for fear you couldn't take care of yourself!"
Elnora laughed while she played.
"Shall I tell you what he said?"
"Nope! I don't want to hear it!" said Elnora. "He is only six hours from
Chicago. I'll give her a week to find him and fix it up, if he stays
that long. If she doesn't put in an appearance then, he can tell me what
he wants to say, and I'll take my time to think it over. Time in plenty,
too! There are three of us in this, and one must be left with a sore
heart for life. If the decision rests with me I propose to be very sure
that it is the one who deserves such hard luck."
The next morning Philip came early, dressed in the outing clothing he
had worn the previous summer, and aside from a slight paleness seemed
very much the same as when he left. Elnora met him on the old footing,
and for a week life went on exactly as it had the previous summer. Mrs.
Comstock made mental notes and watched in silence. She could see that
Elnora was on a strain, though she hoped Philip would not. The girl grew
restless as the week drew to a close. Once when the gate clicked she
suddenly lost colour and moved nervously. Billy came down the walk.
Philip leaned toward Mrs.
Pages:
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367