Vision House

								


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                               VISION HOUSE



                        By C. N. & A. M. WILLIAMSON
Author of "The Lion's Mouse," "The Second Latchkey,"
"Everyman's Land," etc.

    A. L. BURT COMPANY



    Publishers       New York



    Published by arrangement with George H. Doran Company



    COPYRIGHT, 1921,



    BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY



    PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA



          TO

    THE GRAND CANYON

      AND ARIZONA

CONTENTS

I ENTER MISS SOREL
II EXIT THE BLIGHTER
III A CABIN WINDOW
IV REPRISALS--ET CETERA
V ANONYMOUS
VI ON SUNDAY AT THREE
VII SAMSON AGONISTES
VIII WHAT THE STAR SAID
IX SOMETHING OUT OF ANCIENT ROME
X THE THING SHE COULD NOT EXPLAIN
XI EVERY MAN HAS HIS PRICE
XII "HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO!"
XIII "CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?"
XIV MARISE PUTS ON BLACK
XV THE CHURCH DOOR
XVI FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE
XVII THE SPEAKING-TUBE
XVIII AU REVOIR--TILL SOMETIME!
XIX WHY THE BARGAIN WAS OFF
XX THE BRIDAL SUITE
XXI KEEPING UP APPEARANCES
XXII A SHOCK AND A SNUB OR TWO
XXIII THE DREAM
XXIV ACCORDING TO MUMS
XXV "SOME DAY--SOME WAY--SOMEHOW!"
XXVI THE END OF THE JOURNEY
XXVII SECOND FIDDLE
XXVIII MOTHEREEN
XXIX THE WHITE DOVE
XXX THE VIGIL LIGHT
XXXI THE ALBUM
XXXII THE BEREAVED ONE
XXXIII THE VISITORS' BOOK
XXXIV THE TERRACE
XXXV STRAIGHT TALK
XXXVI STUMBLING IN THE DARK
XXXVII ZÉLIE GETS EVEN
XXXVIII WHEN SEVERANCE THREW DOWN THE KEY

VISION HOUSE

CHAPTER I
ENTER MISS SOREL

It was the third day out from Liverpool on the way to New York, and
people were just beginning to take an interest in each other's names and
looks.
The passenger list of the Britannia was posted up close to the lift on
B deck, but the weather had not encouraged curious groups to study and
inwardly digest its items. In fact, digestion of all sorts had been
difficult. To-day, however, the huge ship had ceased to step on and
stumble over monster waves, and had slipped into a sea of silken blue.
Bad sailors and lazy ones were on deck staring at their fellows as at
unearthly creatures who had dropped on board since the vessel sailed,
miraculously like manna from heaven. The news had flown round, as news
flies in an Eastern bazaar, that there were three names of conspicuous
interest on the hitherto neglected list, and that now was the moment for
"spotting" their owners.
Two of these should be easy to find, for their steamer chairs, plainly
labelled, stood side by side on A deck, where everyone sat or was
supposed to sit. The sea dogs and dogesses who braved all weathers had
nosed out those labels, but had so far watched in vain for the chairs to