Part 14 (1/2)

Miss Crosby's expression was one of polite interest. Wallace, trying to smile, bowed. Then their eyes met----

”A-a-a-aw!” It was a strange, strangling cry--like the terrified cry of some dumb thing, suddenly cornered. Miss Crosby's mouth opened wide, her eyes bulged. Upon her dead white face in startling contrast stood out the three spots of rouge.

”Laura!” gasped Wallace.

For a moment they stood thus, facing each other. Then with a rush the girl went, her arms thrown out as if to fend off any who might seek to detain her. She pulled the door to the vestibule against herself as if she were half-blinded, stumbled around it, slammed it shut behind her, and was gone.

CHAPTER IV

With Clare Crosby's sudden departure, the group in the Rectory drawing-room stood in complete silence for a moment, astonished and staring. Wallace, with his hands to his face, was like a man half-stunned.

Outside in the Close, the choir, having come to a halt, was rendering the Wedding March with great gusto--proof positive that the choirmaster, at least, made an audience for the twelve. Above the chorus of young voices pealed that one most perfect--the bird-sweet voice of Ikey Einstein, devoid of its accent by some queer miracle of song. It dipped and soared with the melody, as sure and strong and true as a bugle.

”Well!” It was Mrs. Milo who spoke first--Mrs. Milo, who could put so much meaning into a single word. Now she expressed disapproval and amazement; more: that one exclamatory syllable, as successfully as if it had been an extended utterance, not only hinted, but openly avowed her belief in the moral turpitude of the young woman who had just reeled so blindly through the door.

”Wallace!” Sue went to her brother.

”Now, what's the row!” demanded Balcome, irritably, looking around for his hat, which Hattie had taken from him in order to make him more presentable for the rehearsal.

”I suppose _I've_ done something,” ventured Mrs. Balcome, plaintively.

Mrs. Milo hastened to the door leading to the lawn, spied the choirmaster, waved a wigwag at him with her handkerchief, and shut the door. The singing stopped.

She came fluttering back. Always, when something unforeseen and unpleasant happened, it was Mrs. Milo's habit to accept the occurrence as aimed purposely at her and her happiness. So now her att.i.tude was one of patient forbearance. ”I told you, Hattie,” she reminded; ”--bad luck if Wallace saw you in your wedding-dress today.”

Wallace had slipped to a seat on the sofa, leaning his head on a hand, and shaking like a man with a chill. Now, at mention of Hattie's name, he sprang up, went to her, getting between her and his mother, and putting an arm about the girl as if to protect her. ”It has nothing to do with Hattie,” he declared, his eyes blazing. ”Nothing, I tell you!

And you're trying to make trouble!”

”If you please,” interrupted Sue, quietly, ”you're speaking to your mother.”

But Mrs. Milo was amply able to take care of herself--by the usual method of putting any opponent instantly on the defensive. ”So it has nothing to do with Hattie?” she returned. ”Well, perhaps it has something to do with _you_.”

Wallace's tall figure stiffened, as if from an electric shock. His lips drew back from his clenched teeth in something that was like a grin.

Hattie took a long step, freeing herself from his arm.

”Or perhaps”--Mrs. Milo's glance had traveled to Sue--”perhaps it has something to do with Mr. Farvel.”

”I won't discuss Alan behind his back,” retorted Wallace, hotly.

”A-a-a-ah!”--this with a gratified nod. She felt that she had forced the knowledge she wanted, namely that the going of the soloist had something to do with the clergyman. ”Well,”--smiling--”I think I have an idea.” With a beckon to Mrs. Balcome, she made toward the hall.

Mrs. Balcome came rolling after, the dog worn high against the crepe cascade. ”Perhaps it's just as well that Miss Crosby went,” she observed from the door. ”Of course, we could screen her with palms.

But I think she'd take away from Hattie tomorrow. She's _much_ too pretty--much.”

”Puh!” snorted Balcome. He went to slam the door after her.

Now, Hattie turned upon Wallace with sudden intensity. ”What has Miss Crosby to do with Mr. Farvel?” she demanded.