Entangled Hearts

Chapter 42

Mrs. Chatterton was introduced to Gene. He was all that she had expected him to be, a handsome, cultured gentleman. He likewise was pleased with John's mother, the lady who had done so much for his wife and baby. He knew now that the girl John's mother described in the letter John read to him in France was his beautiful Laura Mae.

Gene was shown to the guest room and the room where he might bathe. He was grateful, for he was covered in dust and smoke after his long ride on the train. Everyone in the home began to bustle about. A feast, such as served at wedding suppers, was ordered and being prepared in the kitchen.

After a time, Gene descended the stairs and dressed in evening clothes, just as John came into the house with his usual carefree stride. He stopped short at the sight of Gene, coming toward him with a broad grin on his face. John caught Gene's hand and shook it heartily, then gave his friend a sounding slap on the shoulder, as he said, "Well, you old son-of-a-gun. Sneaked back here without saying a word about when you would arrive."

"They did not want me to quit my job over there. Just as soon as I found a man to take my place, I caught the first steamer home. I was too excited to think about sending any message ahead."

"Well, we are mighty glad you are here. And congratulations on your marriage, if that is still in order. I have not seen a flaw in your wife in all the time I have known her."

Thanks, old man," Gene said and turned to smile at Laura Mae. Little Laura Gene sat on her mother's lap, watching her daddy with worshipping eyes.

"Your baby girl," John went on in the friendly way he had of making anyone feel at home, "How we love her! Come here, dimples," he turned and called to the little girl, who came flying up into his arms. "What do you think of this guy?" he asked her.

"He is my daddy-pwince and I love him." She said, reaching her arms out to Gene. "Mony May loves him too, tuz she kissed him 'hello' when he came."

"Is that right?" John laughed and handed her to her father.

"Now Mony May is my weally mamma and you are my weally daddy, tuz I found you," she said to Gene, patting his face gently. He gave her a loving squeeze, then he sat down on the chair John offered him and held her on his lap while they all talked and talked. At length, Gene asked if he might use the telephone, then excused himself, when permission was given to him.

An hour after they had dined at a table, filled with food fit for a king, Laura Mae took hold of her little girl's hand, then turned to Gene, "We are going up to the nursery now, it is getting dark and that means that it is time for our baby to go to bed. Would you like to come up with us?"

"You bet I would," he answered eagerly. He picked up Laura Gene and carried her to the nursery, her little arms were tight around his neck and there was a happy, contented smile on her little face. This was the home life Gene had been yearning for during all those lonesome months in France.

Laura Gene had missed having a good afternoon nap and was so tired that she dropped off to sleep before her mother finished the first verse of the "Sand Man Song."

"She is the most beautiful child I have ever seen," Gene said as he stood there with his arm about his wife's shoulders, looking down at his baby, asleep in her little bed.

"Gene, it makes me so happy to see that she loves you as she does. How in the world did you happen to find her when she ran away?" She spoke in low tones, so she would not awaken the child.

"Some things are hard to understand, dear, but I guess somebody was guiding us. She was in danger of being hurt if maybe I would not have been the one to find her."