The Hollow Land

oys the second time they addressed her. She buckled sandals, read fairy tales, brushed the unruly heads, and listened to the wavering pr

r that the worst of the matter was all over and Rachael quite herself, gradually becoming doubtful,

ughed as she quoted Derry's latest ventures with words. She walked to her gate to wave them good-bye on Monday morning, and told

's kind, homely face. "She's like a person recovering fr

ter in her eyes, and I don't like that calm for fiery

ow--once. We were just going out to dinner, and she turned to me, and said: 'I didn't like

you s

l. Don't be morbid! There's no

long time. "I don't know what Gre

what is Magsie d

ael's simply blown u

of marriage!" Alice countered.

agsie lied," h

ther every day, and that he wrote her letters and gave her presents!" Alice finished rather timidl

y muttered. Alice glanced at

hy don't y

ilence for perhaps two fly

ed old Greg out of trouble before." His whole face grew tender as h

e wasn't!" said

ly shook his head and ended the conversation on the monosy

t way, I'd rather have o

father smil

of course!"

enius than you are,

rd, the man seems to have an absolute instinct for bones; he'll take a chance when not one of the rest will! No, you mark my words, Alice, Greg has let

Rachael's heart with his innocence, and

out of it within the month-

predicted confidently. "I know Gre

not yet left the house for the day. The drawing-room furniture was swathed in linen covers, and a collection of golf irons, fishing rods, canoe paddles,

ne for Doctor Valentine. A moment later George Valentine came into the drawing-room, and the two men exchanged a look strange to their twenty years of affectionate intercour

nd the children, and an awkward silence had made itself felt;

he words were, and miserable as was the look that accompanied them

o hear it,"

and regarded his frien

l has left me, G

then I went down," George said. "We only came ba

George," Warren said, ending it, after watching

orge asked though

idence. "I've been a fool, I admit that, but Rach

orge asked flatly. "What do y

l learned about it, that's all. My Lord! there never was an instan

ly, you may find yourself beginning to take it seriously, too," G

ter from her here--she left it. I don't know what she thinks! But I'll never marry Margaret Clay--tha

gone with Magsie?" Geor

, things like that! I've kissed her, but I swear Racha

ge asked in a somewhat relieved ton

was a--a flirtation, George. I've

ot any letters--n

fident expre

ar I wrote them just as I might to anybody. I--I knew it mattered to her

Warren said, "Damn it!" again ner

ou think s

George," Warren

ff?" George presently

It was that that made me like Magsie--she's a lady, you know. She thinks she's i

thing on earth would have made her consider it. But she doesn't want you and Magsie Clay to have any hold ov

topping by the mantel, and p

k would happen?" George

e silence, while Warren remained motionless, and Ge

l I do?" Warren bu

y by Magsie Clay, and amuse yourself by being generous to her, that Magsie means honorably by you. You've got a high standard of morals, Greg, but where they differ from the common standards you fail. If the world is going to put a certain construction upon your attentions to an actress, it doesn't matter what private construction you happen to put u

of this, and I'll believe that there never was a friend like you in the

bed, she put her arms about Martha, and said, 'George, she wouldn't be here to-day if Greg hadn't taken the chance and cut that thing out of her

frankly wip

ad, he went on to the next suggestion. "Well, then, if you can't--tell her that there cannot be any talk at present of a legal separation, and that you are going away. Would you have the nerve to do that? Tell her that you'll be back

tter, could even see himself walking int

her what she would take in place of what she wants.

e asked. "Hang it! it's a beastly thing to do, but if she wants money, yo

ren said slowly. "She'll say that she trust

your jaw, and think of Rachael, and

she should turn

fight. And meanwhile, if I were you, I would write Rachael a long letter and make a clean breast. Alice and the girls go do

nd!" Warren Gregory said, a dry huskiness in his

alk, and Alice laughed and cried with-pleasure, confident that everything would come out w

id exultingly. "How we'll all l

think with aching longing of the quiet home garden, the kitchen with its glowing fire and gleaming pottery, the pleasant homely routine of uneventful days, and wonder that he had ever found safety and comfort anything less than a miracle, Warren thought of the wife he had sacrificed, the children and home that had been his, unchallenged and undisputed, only a few months before. He knew just where he had failed his wife. He felt t

, wrapped snugly in a magnificent embroidered kimono, and with her masses of bright hair, almost dry, hanging about her lovely little face. She had never in al

t all our troubles have come out! If anyone had told us, two months ago, that Rachael would set you free, and that all this would have happened, we wouldn't have believed it, would we? I w

d. Warren had at once seized the opening to say that he would not hold her to anything against her will, to be answered by a burst of tears, and an entreaty not to be "so mean."

te the fact that you're a genius--you're not a little everyday husband, to be held to her ideas of what's done and what isn't don

e robe, with her thick braids hanging over her shoulders. He remembered that Jim was promised the circus if he would take his medicine;

you, and never think of rehearsals and routes and all the rest of it in my life again!" Magsie

himself from

land house; at

clasped her hands girlishly about her knees.

rren said clea

man, I've decided that. Now what?" She eyed his brooding face curiously. "What shall I do, Greg? I suppose we oughtn't to see each other as we did la

Warren asked, feeling as if a hot

s been just a little snippy to Vera," she confided further, "or Vera t

an absolute panic. But George had primed him

iskly, "before we can go farther. In the first place, you

low bank-book. Magsie gla

ear, you're

ered with an honest flush. "I know

a cad?" Magsie de

y man is a cad who gets two

say so!" Her slender a

t on with his planning. "George Valentin

orce?" said Ma

g. And George thinks

demande

elling so

know you have always had a

eam "when the boys are big enough!" His sons--were they bathi

as it really is, dear. I'm not a young man, Magsie, I'm nearly fifty. I have no business to think of anything but my own wife and my work and my children--Don't look so, Magsie," he broke off to say; "I only blame myself! I have loved you--I do love you--but

n obviously puzzled, then astonished, now she was angry. She had grown pale, her pretty childish mout

ne this, Greg!" she said viciously; "it's Mrs. Valentine. She and her husband have been talking to you; they've done it. She's persuaded you that you never were in earnest with me!" Magsie ran across the room, flung open the little desk that stood there, and tore the rubber band from a package of letters. "You take her one of these!" she said, half

ed with a rueful laugh

ittle hands in his, r

w that Rachael is so cross?" she asked artlessly

was of wretchedness;

l, dear. And let her in for it. I feel as if w

ked quickly. "Here's her letter, Greg--I'

you," he submitted in a trouble

n't spare you?" she as

. The truth is, I want to get

anywhere! We can't possibly be married for months---" Suddenly her voice sank, she dropped his hands, and locked her smooth little arms about his neck. "But I'll be waiting for you, and you for

ys found her lovable, endearing, and sweet; even out of this hideous smoke and flame she emerge

s all settled now

Now sit down and read a magazine, Greg," she said happily, "and in