Part 41 (1/2)

They stepped upon the veranda and Lyman saw Eva sitting in the parlor.

She came running to meet him, forgetful of everything--came running with her hands held out.

”He has come to sign the pet.i.tion,” said the banker in a dry voice.

”Where is your mother?”

She drew back. ”In the garden I think,” she answered.

”I will go after her,” said McElwin.

He walked away, heavy of foot. Eva turned to Lyman and asked him to sit down. He did so, and she remained standing. It reminded him of the night when they had met at the lantern picnic, only their position now were reversed, for then he had remained standing while she sat looking up at him. He took up a volume of Tennyson and opened it, and between the pages in front of him lay a faded clover bloom.

”A memory?” he asked, looking at her.

”Yes, a beautiful memory. Some one plucked it, threw it up and it fell in my lap--one day at the creek.”

He looked at her searchingly. They heard McElwin in the garden calling his wife, ”Lucy, oh, Lucy. Where are you?”

”Eva, I have not been honorable with you--I have held you not as a protector--I have held you selfishly--I love you.”

”Lucy, where are you?” the banker called.