BOUND FOR NORFOLK
Let us now return to Gladys.
Arrived at her bedroom she began to collect her various articles of
clothing in a hazy and disturbed manner, every now and then sitting down
to burst into a terrible fit of weeping.
It took her over half an hour to pack up, and then having bathed her
burning face, she began to feel very hungry.
Finding a few biscuits in a tin, she lost no time in eating them and
then she rang her bell.
To her supprise Helen came to the door instead of Marshland.
"Oh dear Gladys" cried Helen kindly "I am so very sorry that you are
going."
"Oh Helen," sobbed Gladys "it nearly breaks my heart to think of it, and
we may not even write to each other."
"Dont say that" cried Helen, "if ever I can manage it I'll always send
you a note privately, for I shall never forget Gladys that you saved my
life."
Gladys could not speak for crying.
"Now Gladys" said Helen "do stop crying or you will be ill, did you want
anything when you rang just now."
"Oh yes please" replied Gladys "if I might have something to eat, I am
so very hungry."
"Certainly, dear" said Helen and she darted downstairs, soon to return
with a plate of well cut ham and a couple of poached eggs and a
comforting cup of coffee.
Having spread this out, she sat down to watch Gladys eat it.
The poor girl looked very worn out and tired and great red and black
lines encircled her blue eyes, "oh Helen" she said at last "do tell me
what you meant by speaking so strongly to James just now.
The tears came into Helen's eyes, "dont ask me Gladys dear" she said,
some day I will contrive to let you know by letter but I cant tell you
now."
A silence followed and then Helen spoke again, "do you know" she said.
"I am very glad things have turned out like this. I shall be happy too
and perhaps forget all about me and all this misery."
"Oh Helen" cried Gladys "I will never forget you it will be impossible."
"I dont know" said Helen "you see its like this, although we shall write
to each other (for my mind is made up on that score) when once you are
happy, though you will not exactly forget _me_, you will forget this
misery at parting and so you will be able to think of me without pain or
regret, and it will be like a wound which though healed over is still to
be seen, do you under stand?"
"Yes dear Helen" said Gladys "there is certainly truth in what you say,
but do you think we shall either of us be happy again?"
"Yes" said Helen with a smile, "I do, light is certainly breaking
through the darkness after all Gladys"
Ah Helen!, happily for you that you can see the bright light appearing,
but there are dark clouds gathering in the distance which you do not see
but which nevertheless are coming nearer and nearer and will soon burst
over your head and extinguish the sunshine and the light.
The dreary morning passed away at last and the afternoon followed suit.
A quarter to six found Gladys and Helen taking a last farewell in the
drawing room before Mr. Palsey arrived.
"Oh Helen shall we ever meet again, sobbed Gladys.
"Hush hush" said Helen "dont cry Gladys and let me give you some advice
before you go. Dont sob or show any emotion when you bid me goodbye and
if afterwards Mr. Palsey should mention me to you be quite calm and show
him you do not care, when next we meet I'll tell you my reasons and be
sure they're good ones."
Voices were heard at the front door and going into the hall, they found
Mr. Palsey and Cyril talking and a carriage waiting at the gate.
"Goodbye Miss Lincarrol" said Cyril as he took her hand "I am sorry you
have to go."
"Not at all" said Gladys brightly "goodbye Mr. Sheene, thanks for all
your kindness."
Here Mr. Palsey interposed "goodbye Miss Winston" he said raising his
hat.
Helen drew herself up and gave him a look (such a one as once seen never
forgotten) and then turning to her friend said, "well goodbye Gladys, a
pleasant journey to you dear."
"Goodbye Helen" said Gladys bravely and calmly and without a break in
her voice.
"I hope you will enjoy yourself in London."
Mr. Palsey looked astounded, he had expected a loud fit of crying at
least.
"Wont you say goodbye to me Miss Winston he asked sheepishly.
"No cried Helen in a laud voice, "it was an evil day for you Mr. Palsey
when my good father asked you to his house."
Mr. Palsey jumped into the open fly and put his bag beside him.
Helen stood on the steps waving her hand with tears in her eyes, while
Gladys, for the sake of the friend she loved, sat erect and tearless in
the carriage which soon wheeled her away from "Beach Dale" and its
occupants.