第79章 MUTUAL SURPRISES(2)

She slowly shrugged her shoulders."I'm the last one to ask.They wouldn't think of telling me,"she returned.

"What's up now?"thought Mr.Evringham."You don't look well,Madge,"he said aloud.

Once she would have welcomed the evidence of solicitude.Now nothing mattered.

"I don't feel well,"she replied,"and I can't even call the physician I prefer."Mr.Evringham stared down at her for a silent minute,and light broke upon him.

"Is it all off with Ballard?"he asked bluntly.

"Yes;and that's what you have done,father,by allowing that child Jewel to come here."Mr.Evringham bit his lip.This amused him.

"Eloise has mounted the new hobby,and is riding for dear life away from common sense,away from everything that promised such happiness.""Do you mean Christian Science?"

"Of course I do."

"It's a strange thing,Madge.Do you know,it captures people with good heads."Mr.Evringham seated himself near his daughter's chair.

"I came out on the train with my friend Reeves.He was talking about young Bonnell,of whom you spoke last night.Said his mother was cured when the doctors couldn't do anything.You know her,eh?""As well as if she were my own flesh and blood.""Is it a fact,what they say?"

"She was considered incurable.I know nothing about the rest of it.

Nat was telling me yesterday.Now he is probably infatuated also,and,sooner or later,Eloise is sure to meet him.""H'm,h'm.An old flame,you said,"remarked Mr.Evringham."Indeed!

In--deed!I trust for your sake,Madge,that his is not objectionable to you.""He is,"snapped Mrs.Evringham."A poor fellow,with his way to make in the world.He's been out of college a couple of years and hasn't done anything worth speaking of yet.""Reeves is going to take him into the business,"returned Mr.

Evringham."I don't know why or wherefore,but the mere fact is decidedly promising.""Oh,who can tell if that will last!"returned the other with scornful pessimism."Nat has let too many cotillions to do anything else well.

I can only pray that he will get away without seeing Eloise.Mrs.

Bonnell has invited us to make her a visit this summer.I certainly shall not go one step!"A sudden sound of laughter was heard on the quiet air.Mrs.Evringham leaned forward."There are the children now,"she said,as figures turned in at the gateway;"and who is that?It is"--with desperation,--"he's here!Nat Bonnell is with them!"She sat upright with disapproval,clasping the arm of her chair,while her father-in-law looked curiously at the approaching group.His gaze fixed on the young man with the well-set head who,swinging his hat in his hand,was talking fast to Eloise of something that amused them both.Jewel apparently interrupted him and he stooped with a quick motion,and in a second she was sitting on his shoulder,shrieking in gleeful surprise.

Thus they approached the piazza and came close before noting that it was occupied.

"Grandpa,see me!"cried Jewel delightedly.

Bonnell met the unsmiling gaze of his host as Mr.Evringham rose,and then caught sight of Mrs.Evringham stonily gazing from her chair.

"Ah,how do you do?"he called laughingly.

"Jove,he is a good looking chap!"thought the host,and Bonnell set Jewel down at his feet with such velocity that Anna Belle was cast heavily to earth.

"A thousand pardons!"exclaimed Nat,catching up the doll by the skirt and restoring her.

Jewel gave him a bright look."Sheknows there is no sensation in matter,"she said scornfully.

Poor Anna Belle!The topography of the ravine was full of hazards for her,and her seasons there were always so adventurous and full of sudden and unlooked-for bumps that her philosophy was well tested,and she might reasonably have complained of this gratuitous blow;but she smiled on,as Jewel hugged her.Her mental poise was marvelous,whatever might be said of the physical.

Eloise introduced her friend and went to her mother's side,while Bonnell shook hands with Mr.Evringham and exchanged some words concerning Mr.Reeves and business matters.

"Wide awake,"was the older man's mental comment."Doesn't seem at all the sort of person to be fooled about that healing business.Good eye.

Good manner.Perhaps this was Ballard's handicap all the time.I guess you're in for it,Madge."Nat moved to greet Mrs.Evringham,who gave him no welcoming smile.