Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-17
4" why?" he asked, with the very slightest

why" he asked, with the very slightest
3 Because IL choose to give way to a whim
and come to see how poor people live, yo have
no right to follow me ;" she replied.
follow you!" he repeated, bewildered.
Yes; was it generous, do you think" she
asked, and with all her trying she could not
prevent the tears that had gathered slowly in her
Miss Ardale, indeed let me assure you"
said Kenneth, earnestly, "that | entered this
cottage to ask my way, and had no more idea
ofseeing you here than-'
!" The man In the MOON" she put in. laugh
ing lightly. al believe you, CaptainIG oring,"
she added. and Involuntary she held out her
hand, drawing 1t again suddenly, with another
laugh. " would not recommend YOU to touch
thai, ;" she said, shaking her head it needs an
application of soap"
quietly.
:" No. 1 should be ashamed of the contrast .
she replied.
"Then there shall be none. if you please
SAID Kenneth, his face full of fun. 81 PLEASE to
give me the broom; my own hands will be worse
Now do you really mean to stay here, Cap
u do, if possible: as a volunteer" he said.
And do you wish to help mel" she continued
seeing that he spoke in thorough earnestness
d" Indeed do" he replied.
Well. then, let us work in concert" said
Marion; Please to move few things while L
First OF all he moved the little boots, rather
tenderly, on the window sill, while Marion
watched him amused.
They make such noise those high heels, ),
she said. in explanation; and invalid's ears are
so delicate; that reminds me-" she added, g
wonder who she thinks have got down here
she said. Z" You are good aid de-camp. am
never able to do that"
"You have often done this them" said Ken
meth, turning a little from his occupation to
m q mr. or
You have, should say" she answered.
flushing little; ''you do IL most scientifically"
Now the BROOM said Kenneth, with a
business-lke air.
"No, that is my part" she said.
Miss Ardale, you are most unfair. keeping
my weapon in custody under folded hands"
said Kenneth. Let me show YOU a new trick
in the art of sweeping"
Throwing her head back in a light involun-
tary laugh she let him take her; and as she did
so, be closed his hand for a moment on hers.
1t might be too black to venture presently
he said, smiling most cOOlly.
1t reused her though from her silent enjoy
ment Of his novel occupation. She busted her
self too, and soon the little kitchen was picture
of neatness aud cleanliness.
Now; Captain GoriDg," she said; "put that
queer old easy chair here at the open window
and wait a moment"
The slippers ran up stairs without a sound,
re-appearing very slowly, As Marion supported
a totteriDg old woman, whom she placed snugly
on the easy chair, where the pure summer
n
At look from Marion, Kenneth began to talk
to her easily, naturally and gently, as the poor
like to be talked to, sitting on the window sill,
with his long legs Then Marion brought ont
tea-cup and saucer, bread and butter, &C.,
and arranged them on little table beside her;
and as she moved to the fire Kenneth dsrted
forward. The two faces were almost Iudic-
rously grave and immovable as they bent over
the little black teapot, rather close together, as
Marion held 1t and Kenneth poured the water
into 1T. What serious necessity there was for
neither of the four eyes to stray
Now, Mary you are comfortable, and have
everything to your hand" said Marion. +" Oh,
stop.' she added suddenly, s'where ia my mem
DRY to-day: L have never cut the bread and
butter"
While Kenneth watched the pretty hands
sweeping process,-he wondered whether they
could be the useless, scOrnful hands tina
fdgeted 20 often at night in the drawing room
at home. She cut balf-a- dozen delicate slices.
putting the plate within reach OF the feeble
fingers; then she turned, slipped on her boots
and the old hat, consigned the slippers to a
cupboard, and asked Kenneth if he was ready.
He was so astonished at the unusual occur
rence-at the prospect OF the walk with her =,
that he almost sprang over the little table.
have forgotten my hands, Mis- Ardale, -
said he; !" L will 60 and wash them outside
When he came in wiping them cheerfuliy on
his snowy handkerchief, he caught the low
thanks and blessings OF the poor woman as
Marion found place in a worn old Bible, and
pIaceu III open on the table.
They turned out together in the pleasant sun
shine-the sunshine which, for the first time to-
day, shone pleasantly for Kenneth Goring. He
did not look in Mar ions face as they walked
lence for fear she should have slipped back into
the Miss Ardale of the day before. But at last
she was so still herself, he felt obliged to speak
Does she live alone, that poor old woman"
lie began.
{" Yes" replied Marion, "except that a wo-
man who passes here from her work goes in
and puts all right for the night"
And are you accustomed to do this for her
in the mornings" asked Kenneth, gently.
II do not know how many times it takes to
make custom, J" said Marion, with an echo Of
the old tone. " have not done ii often. IL is
not long since her daughter died, and it is i'm
possible to get help here
" But YOU serv-"
There don't ask me those questions, please, :"
she interrupted impatiently' What did you
Nothing was the reply,-''untilI caugh.
you at your work"
She laughed little, and he seized on the
chang.
"WilI YOU ride with me, or rather will you let
me ride with you this afternoon" he asked.
No, thank YOU" she answered, with frigd
politeness. g am going to read To mamma"
80 But Mrs. BeresfOrd drives at tive," said
Kenneth.
There was no answer to that remark; and
kenneth, hurt and humili lated, walked on with
out attempting again to break the silence.
At five O'Clock that evening, as Mr.. and Mrs.
Beresford drove from the door, and Kenneth's
horse stood waiting for him, Marion came
slowly up to where he stood drawing on his
gloves.
Will ride with you if you choose, Captain
GOnng." she said little YEARLY.
"Thank you" he answered, growing suddenly
in MariOns eyes three inches taller, and ANN
hilatiDg her at once. 4" am not at all anxious
to interfere with yonr arrangements, and have
not the slightest objection to a ride alone"
She turned back, and he mounted cooly; but
his heart was hot and uncomfortable, neverthe-
less, and he found that he had, after all,
slight objection to ride alone
In less than hour his horse was back in the
stable, and he restless and all case and not at
all understanding why-was walking on in any
shade he could find toward the outskirts of the
park. Suddenly he came out from among the
thick trees into a field of hav partly cut, and he
saw-sitting against a tree upon the mown
grass, with a child beside her-MarOn. Should
he turn away now before she saw him? Yes;
clearly that was best. But then he did not do
it, for the simple reason that he could not. For
two or three mi nutes he still hesitated, then he
advanced boldly, and sat down near her; nay,
not only sat, but lay there in the coolest manner
Just at her feet She saw him, for her lips
quivered as he came up, while she went on
with she had been saying to the child. Then
she was quite silent. The little girl turned to
Kenneth eagerly and excitedly as he threw
himself down.
"Are you Miss Ma-an's b'other?" she lsped,
touching KennetLs thick curls with great in
quisitiveness.