trangely pathetic in the silence. Harold did not speak, and
his head was bent forward so that Evie could not see his face. His
hands were clasped and pressed so tightly together that the muscles
stood out under the skin, but presently one of them was stretched
forward and laid pleadingly over her own.

"Dearest and sweetest," said Harold softly; "teach me instead!"

When Rhoda came rushing into the room ten minutes later it was to find
her brother seated by Evie on the sofa, and to meet two pairs of eyes
which tried vainly to look calm and composed, but which were in reality
so brimming over with happiness that the news was told without need of a
single word.

"Oh!" she cried, stopping short and staring in astonishment. "_Oh_!"
and then Evie struggled to her feet and held out wide, welcoming arms.

"Oh, Rhoda, I am never going to be unhappy any more. Harold won't let
me. He is going to help me all my life!"

"She is going to help _me_!" corrected Harold firmly. "I'm the happiest
fellow in the world, Rhoda, and you must be happy too. Come and kiss
your new sister."

Rhoda gave a little sob of joy, and flew into Evie's arms.

"My own sister! And I can take care of you always. I shall have a
right, and you will not have to worry any more, or be anxious, or
troubled. Evie, Evie, you can forgive me now, you can feel that I have
not spoiled your life! You will be happy even if you are lame!"

"Yes, she will be happy--she has found a good man to take care of her!"
said Mrs Chester, coming forward from the background, and taking Evie
into a warm embrace. "My dear child, I thought, I hoped, it might come
to this! Once upon a time I was afraid I might be jealous of Harold's
wife, but not you, dear, not you! That would be impossible. We owe you
too much. You are welcome--a thousand times welcome! I am a rich woman
indeed, for I have two beautiful daughters instead of one!"

Evie dropped her head on the broad, motherly shoulder and shed a tear of
pure happiness and thankfulness.

"Tom was right!" she said to herself softly. "Tom was right--it was too
early to judge! Good has come out of evil!"

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom and Some Other Girls, by
Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM AND SOME OTHER GIRLS ***

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