“It is better, anything is better than that awful stare,� Mark said, bowing his head. At last, as evening approached, Tibby was seen coming slowly along over the gray plain, swinging her hat in her hand and laughing with Donald, who accompanied her. Alice looked at the flushed face of the happy girl, so radiant, so hopeful, so roseate, and her heart sank at the thought of her meeting with the crushed, broken lily who lay upon the couch behind her. And she slipped quietly out of the door to meet Tibby and prepare her.
She put up her hand, enjoining quiet, as Tibby swung her hat in salutation.
“Tibby, dear,� Alice said as the twain came to her side, “Mrs. Wylie has received bad news, and is quite overcome by it. She asked for you and I think you may be able to comfort her.�
Tibby’s face blanched a little, and the laughing lips were sobered.
“I will go in at once. Good-by, Mr. Bartram. I’ll leave you to Mrs. Cramer’s care.� And she flitted away.
“We’re in great trouble, Donald. Mark will explain to you at another time,� Alice said.
“You have my sympathy, whatever it may be,� the young man replied gravely. “If I can be a help in any way, command me.�
“Thank you, Donald, we are always sure of that.�
He lifted his hat.
“You may bring Lissa over to-morrow. Perhaps the skein of mystery may be untangled by that time and more explainable,� she said as he turned away.