Traveler arrived safely.  Bore the journey well.  Many thanks
for the introduction.  Everybody happy; if you don’t believe
it come and see for yourself.

FATHER AND MOTHER MARSHALL.

Courtland read it and looked dreamily out of the window, trying to fancy Bonnie in her new home.  Then he said aloud, with conviction, “Some time I shall go out there and see!”

Just then some one knocked at his door and handed in a note from Gila.

DEAR PAUL,—­Come over this evening, I want to see
you about something very special.

Hastily,
GILA.

CHAPTER XXIV

Gila’s note came to Courtland as a happy surprise.  He had not expected to see her until the next evening.  Not that he had brooded much over the matter.  He was too busy and too sanely healthy to do that.  Besides, he was only as yet questioning within himself whether he was going to fall in love.  The sensation so far was exceedingly pleasurable, and he was ready for the whole thing when it should arrive and prove itself; but at present he was just in that quiescent stage when everything seemed significant and delightfully interesting.

He had firmly resolved that the next time he saw Gila he would tell her of his own heart experience with regard to the Presence.  He realized that he must go carefully, and not shock her, for he had begun to see that all her prejudices would be against taking any stock in such an experience.  He had only so shortly himself come from a like position that he could well understand her extreme views; her what amounted almost to repugnance, toward hearing anything about it.  But he would make her see the whole thing, just as he had seen it.

Now Gila had no notion of allowing any such recital as Courtland was planning.  She had her stage all set for entirely another scene, and she had on her most charming mood.  She was wearing a little frock of pale-blue wool, so simple that a child of ten might have worn it under a white ruffled apron.  The neck was decorated with a soft ’kerchief-like collar.  Not even a pin marred the simplicity of her costume.  Her hair, too, was simpler than usual, almost carrying out the childish idea with its soft looping away from the face.  Little heelless black-satin slippers were tied with narrow black ribbons quaintly crossed and recrossed over the slim, blue-silk ankles, carrying out the charming idea of a modest, simple maiden.  Nothing could be more coy and charming than the way she swept her long black lashes down upon her pearly cheeks.  Her great eyes when they were lifted were clear and limpid as a baby’s.  Courtland was fairly carried off his feet at sight of her, and felt his heart bound in reassurance.  This must be love!  He had fallen in love at last!  He who had scorned the idea so long and laughed at the other fellows, until he had really begun to have doubts in his own heart whether the delightful illusion