Most of the years since then have been
spent away from home, and I find, quite
naturally perhaps, that I am a stranger in
my native land. If you knew how much
pleasure this glimpse of you has g^ven me,
you would forgive me that I thus tempt fate
in asking if you will receive me.
Very sincerely yours,

Philip Aytoun.
The brilliant smile with which Mrs.
Rivington read this short letter — a smile
natural and childish which illumined
her face — ^had stolen into her eyes by
the time she had re-read it and folded
it back into its envelope. She rose
with a quick movement from the
chair, dropping her other letters un-
heedingly on the floor, and with one
foot on the fender, her small hands
held to the blaze, looked out with
shining eyes upon the cloudy sky,
forgetting the present moment in the
retrospect which the letter brought
before her.
Philip Aytoun," she murmured to



(«



A SAWDUST DOLL. 1 3

herself, "in this country I It will be
charming to see him again. I wonder
what he will be like." Her mind re-
possessed its memories rapidly. They
returned to her now clear and distinct,
and the friend of her childhood ap-
peared before her mental vision with
his eager boyish face and the strange
beauty which had been woven into her
early dreams.
"He will be changed, of course/' she
reflected, "but I hope not spoiled.
