The Shield of Silence

ils, fight as w

wo controlling things in life: Intellect, and the training of i

or admitted the necessity of the spiritual in his development, and so it had failed him-and, in a deep, tragic

to him but was smothered. He would not heed. He let business and coarse, pleasurable

in the last aid to deaden his

d him, and after months abroad, months in which he nursed his resentment against Meredith and felt his

ing on very commonplace grounds, came Doris's letter. The purest elements and the most brutal in many natures lie close. They did in Thornton. Had Meredith been a

lot though her heart broke her child might have saved her and the man also-for Tho

at else was there to do but accept Doris's offer? And of course the child was dead to h

s it, too, in

oved to be a succession of mis-s

omfort-not because of his need, but her own. Once, however, she was placed in a

l every faculty he had was strained to the snapping point. Finally he resorted to the last and most dangerous aid he had at his disposal-

nton remembered the Fletcher fortune; his child, and the possibiliti

in Thornton's relations with his child had

, and finally getting her to agree to assume a responsibility t

r home and was admitted, by a trim maid, to the small reception room

power to arouse memory and control it. Thornton's thoughts flew back to the week he had spent in this old house wi

made him more than a stranger to the family he got up and foll

-Thornton paused and took a comprehensive glance. He liked the library, and the fireplace was perfect. He made a mental note. Then he stepped down into the room with its memory-haunting fountain. He had ne

a child's sock lay near it and several ridiculous toys, rigidly propped against the wall, as if on review. Birds sang outside in the plum and peach trees and birds inside, not realizing their

oris appeared just then at the doorway leading to the library. She paused at the top of the stairs-there was a strip of green velvet carpet running down t

iled her very finest smile. There was no hint of reproof in the tone, but Thornton i

t to the steps and held out his hand

conciliatory, but t

," Doris remarked, "the a

ding to an understanding must be chosen. Doris le

pered, "so much!" He was a fairly good

" she said. "I have learned that the present nee

your splendid help at a time when so much was at stake. Your goodness to my child--" For a moment

e to his

est best-she is lovely; the most joyous thing you can imagine. Remembering how much Meredith and I needed each other,

ar to those he had once experienced, standing alone in a dense Philippine thicket, and s

e-the adoption, I mean? I suppose you know everything about the-the c

him a long,

wrench now, why, life has taught me, also, George, to take what joy one can and be willing to pay for

lue that! It was a bit risky, but of course while chil

uerader. Often it is like those insects that take upon themselves the colour of the leaf upon which they cling. It i

that-kid's father might be-- well, anything!

d not know, I could be fair and unhampe

encies?" Thornton grew

trary-only

en spoke hurriedly: "I'd like to see

separated from her. I suppos

oris, and assume my respo

is longed to say "worthy" but s

d now Thornton thought

girl," Doris said, and w

to Doris Fletcher was connected with this power of hers to overturn, without effort, his peace of mind and self-esteem. But he had outwitted her in marrying

at a rare rug on the floor, "a kind of madness runs through the breed, I wager.

g voices with little gurgles of laughter ripplin

eally, except that they were noisy and usually messy-some were better looking than others; gave promise, and he hoped his child would

other play. Now listen sharp! When we come to the steps you must stand close together an

trial for his life. He was frightened at he knew not what. Would his child look like Meredith? Would she have those eyes that could find his soul and burn it even while they smiled? Would

asked in so calm and ordinary

l in widening line from the shoulders, giving the effect of lightness, winginess. Both children had lovely hair, curly, bobbed to a comfortable length, and their wide, curious eyes fastened instantly up

ncy," Doris was saying. "You ex

hispered the question that som

It was whisper

led what he had suspected-Doris was playing with him, making him absurd by that infernal power of hers that he had all but fo

l with it. Without knowing it I could be just to both children; give them the only possible opportunity t

ne shall be made to spea

ve a whisper, but the ton

pleaded, and stretch

play is over and yo

into her lap, and turned

e both?" he asked, still

e. I shall demand my right

ing I ever heard of!" Thornton

The tone defied understanding. "You must consider what I have done, George, step by step. I did not act rashly. And when we come to actual contact with all the truth confronting us, you a

, was startled at seeing the nurse appear at once. He looked up, and Mary looked

on drew his chair close to he

to say? It would seem as if you

nothing

o humiliate me-defeat me?

very little thought, George. I was concerned

et that she w

at I took a desperate chance to accomplish the most good to Meredith's child. That is all that seemed to count. Suppose you could claim your

overlook facts, Doris." Tho

th eyes heavy with misery. "I knew everything necessar

u pause and consider!" A b

when one cannot, dare no

d the room. Suddenly he

eritance?" h

t was the inheritance

's eyes fell-"I mean th

tened on: "The money you sent, George, has ne

venge!" mutt

robbed in the words. "When I remember I am not bitter, but

ssing her off as t

trange smile that burnt its way

will tell you all there is to know, and then I request that you spare me

little to tell. A de

d it?" Thorn

it where no one would know of its sad birth-there are pe

Sister Angela--

d the ye

the o

hey did they forgot-they are like that; b

s of personal investigation, and he was not pre

this instance," he sneered, "but we may all ha

greed, wearily; "we

ornton's eyes were gloomy and grave.

ssibility always awakened. She raised her gla

can t

a dull p

m not out of the game, Doris, just count on me being

eorge. I wil