Read Online Hope Takes Flight by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online

talked about the family and the changes that had taken place since their last visit. When they reached the hotel, they went to bed at once without any further conversation.
    Lylah slept like a log and got up and dressed the next morning with her eyes feeling gritty. When she went into the hotel restaurant, she saw that the others were already seated. “Good morning,” she mumbled as cheerfully as she could.
    When none of them answered, she looked around with a puzzled look in her eyes. “What’s wrong with all of you?” she asked. “Somebody die?”
    Amos tossed a newspaper onto the table, turning it so she could see the headlines. “ That’s what’s wrong,” he said.
    Lylah read the heavy black print: LUSITANIA SUNK BY GERMAN U-BOAT . Looking up, she asked quietly, “What does this mean, Amos?”
    â€œThe Germans have been sinking English boats with Americans on board, but so far, Wilson’s been able to keep us out of war. But the Lusitania was an American ship, carrying passengers, not munitions.” Amos’s face was set and stern, and he tapped the newspaper with his fist and shook his head. “It’s too late now. Wilson will have to declare war on Germany.”
    Lylah sank into a chair.
    No one was hungry, and they ate very little. The news seemed to have cast a pall over everyone in the dining room. Others were staring at the headlines, and conversation seemed either strained or slightly hysterical.
    When breakfast was over, some of the family prepared to leave, and Amos and Lylah were left alone. “I’ve got to get back to New York right away, Lylah,” he said. “I think Mr. Hearst will probably send me to Europe. I know he’ll want me to go interview Teddy Roosevelt.”
    Lylah had remained very quiet. Now she said, “Amos, do you have room for me to go back to New York with you? In the car, I mean?”
    â€œWhy, sure, Lylah. I didn’t know you wanted to go.”
    Looking down, Lylah traced the design of the tablecloth with her finger. There was a pained look on her face, and Amos knew her well enough to recognize that something was bothering her. “What is it? What’s wrong, Sis?”
    She lifted her eyes and said, “I’m going to Europe, Amos.”
    â€œEurope!” Amos blinked his eyes in startled amazement, then shook his head and began talking rapidly. “Why, you can’t do that, Lylah! I’m telling you, this thing is going to blow up! You’d be caught over there, right in the middle of a war!” Lylah just sat there, watching him. Finally he asked, “What do you want to go to Europe for?”
    She took a deep breath and looked straight at Amos. Lylah was still a beautiful woman, who looked much younger than her years, he thought. Fatigue had dulled her eyes, and her lips thinned as she pressed them together, a sure sign she was troubled.
    â€œAmos, I’ve got to get away from America. I have a chance to go to England with a company that will be doing a repertoire of American plays. I’ll be the starring actress—” She hesitated, then said, “It’s James Hackett’s company.”
    â€œJames Hackett!” Amos stared at her and his forehead creased in a frown. “I would’ve thought you’d had enough of him, Lylah.”
    Lylah shook her head, knowing what he was thinking. Hackett was the man she’d run away with ten years earlier. He’d taken her out of Arkansas, and they’d carried on a torrid romance for two years, before he had turned to another woman. He had also led Rose into a bad life before she found the Lord in a New York mission.
    â€œThere’s nothing but business this time, Amos,” she said quietly. “I’m getting older. If I’m going to make it as an actress, I’ve got to do it now. If I can make a name for myself in England and maybe some other parts of Europe, I can come