Wheel of Stars Read Online Free

by confession on her own to bring matters at once to a head.
    “They are a personal order—for me.”
    She dared to look directly at the other’s worn face. There was nothing of that covert mockery which had shown so clearly in the young man’s expression. Instead there was something of eagerness in the large eyes above dark smudges which gave the impression of weariness or ill health.

    “You are interested then in such discoveries? But that is good! Though I have known many queer corners of the earth I was not aware until recently that there have been more such things recently brought to light—or at least into print.
    “It could mean—” she hesitated, still staring so intently at Gwennan that the girl felt this woman was silently demanding from her some answer which she needed—needed, more than just desired. “What was your opinion of this particular one?” she asked abruptly, sharply, requiring an answer, even as an instructor might have done from a shy pupil. She leaned forward, making Gwennan aware of a strong spicy fragrance, and with her gloved finger pointed to the third title on the list.
    “The one about the leys, and the possibility that such reported monsters as Nessie, and even UFOs might be associated with those?” Gwennan fended off a direct answer as she strove to make up her mind. She never discussed her private reading with anyone. The Lyles were noted travelers, citizens of the world at large. They represented such knowledge as could not be matched by anyone else Gwennan knew. “The authors,” she continued clearly, “appear to make out something of a case in favor of that point—though they do not commit themselves to any of the several conclusions they offer at the end of the book. They leave you a choice.”
    “After stating known facts,” Lady Lyle nodded. “I wish I could talk with those two young people—really talk. But what do you think? Which choice was yours? You surely have thought ofwhat you read.”
    Gwennan braced herself. Here it was coming—the questions, or perhaps the rebuke—for her early morning visit. Only that did not seem to interest Lady Lyle at all. Instead she was adding:
    “You were the one who went backpacking to hunt standing stones. Mr. Stevens mentioned that his daughter spoke of it—”
    Gwennan flushed. A summer ago when she had so longed to be able to talk to someone, she had half forgotten the penalty for being “different.” Yes, she had spoken to Nancy Stevens one day when the book which had inspired her own single and very amateurish attempt at discovery had lain open on her desk and the other girl had appeared to show enough interest to ask a question or two. She had learned her lesson when a garbled account of her “stone hunting” had drifted back to her. Just another of the freakish differences which had cut her off from the town.
    “Yes,” Gwennan answered shortly, all her defenses up at once. “And I also trespassed. I have visited your standing stones.”
    “What do you think of them? That they are just rocks planted by the glaciers, as most authorities have assured us?”
    Just as anger had given her the courage to face up to that other Lyle, so did determination give her the courage not to be overpowered by this one or forced into dismissing lightly what she did believe was the truth. Let them both laugh at her if they wished.
    “No, I think they were set there for a purpose.”
    “I know they were.” Lady Lyle had dropped hervoice, those four words uttered hardly above a whisper. “Such things have fascinated me for many years. Perhaps you would care to discuss the subject further when there are no interruptions. This is very short notice—rude perhaps—but would you care to come and have dinner with me tonight?”
    Gwennan hoped she had outward possession enough not to show her utter astonishment. As far as she knew only two of the townspeople ever visited Lyle House—Mr. Stevens, whose legal practice sent him there