.
Long after they had said good-night, Grace lay looking out at the calm
moonlight and pondering over the great changes that less than a year had
brought her. Her own happiness so complete, she longed for the whole
world to be happy with her. Her ever-ready sympathy went out to all
those in it whose difficult love-problems tended toward renunciation.
She wished whole-heartedly that she might waken to the sunlight of a day
when she could say joyfully and with supreme truth: "All's right with
the world."
CHAPTER V
FLYING IN THE FACE OF SUPERSTITION
"Oh, mother, isn't it nice to be home again?" Grace Harlowe dropped into
her favorite chair and surveyed the familiar living-room with the same
glad appreciation she would have bestowed upon a long-lost friend. "I've
loved being with the girls; but, after all, home is best. I'm fortunate
in that I am going to live so near to you. If Tom goes back to the
Forestry Department this winter, I'm afraid I shall leave Haven Home
more than once to take care of itself and come trotting back to you. It
will be dreadfully lonely there with Tom away. Not that it isn't the
most beautiful place in the world, but then, you are you, and I can't do
without you."
"I have been obliged to give you up the greater part of the last six
years. I suppose I ought to feel resigned to it by this time." Mrs.
Harlowe's smile hinted at wistfulness. "I am glad to be home again, too.
I hope we haven't forgotten to buy every single thing you need. I
imagine your wedding gown will come to-day. Let me see. It was to have
been finished the day we left New York. We've been home two days. Yes, I
think we may expect it to-day, or not later than to-morrow. There's the
doorbell ringing now. Perhaps it's the expressman."
Springing to her feet, Grace hurried to the door. "Here's your
expressman," she laughed, as she reappeared, her arm linked in that of
Nora Wingate.
"Good morning, Nora," greeted Mrs. Harlowe. Rising, she advanced to
Nora, kissing her with evident affection. "We were wondering what had
become of you. We haven't seen you since we came home."
"Hippy and I went away for the week end. We returned only this morning.
I was anxious to see you both, also Grace's wedding finery, so I came
over bright and early."
"We brought it all back with us, except my wedding gown, Nora. I'm
expecting that at almost any moment. I'm anxious to try on the whole
outfit. Then I'll know how I'm going to
|