Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-09
A PASSING CLOUD.
A STORY.

Lady MarchmOnt laughed. 81 am afraid
mine will hardly do so in this instance would
suggest that sou take book and try to read
a. the time would pass much quicker il you did
not study the clock every five minutes. There
IL one on that table that could not fail to interest
you; IL Is the story of a fair maid who suffered
all the 'pangs the agOnics the doubts of a
true love that did not, like yours, run smooth"
:" should probably throw it TO the other end
of the room after five minutes"
And to think, said Lady MarchmOnt medi-
tativeiy, TO think that six months ago you did
not know this hero who is now making such
havoc in your peace of mind
Valerie rose impatiently from her seat and
walked across to the window. frown rufflinc
the serenity of her white forehead, and vexed
look in her pretty gay eyes.
She was tail, slender girl. with more claims
to beauty tall are accorded from the mere pos
session of regular features and u faultless COM
plexion, which good point; many girls will own
and yet be hirhly ulint9Test:nI and unattract-
i've. Fars Chief charm las III her entire uncon-
sciOusness Of self ald the animated play of her
mobile sensitive face. in which, as in her clear
gray eyes, was reflected every emotion of her
sympathetic nature. She was girl who, from
Impulse, might probably act hastily or thought
lessly. but who would DC oniy too ready to own
her error if once convinced of it: rare virtue in
deed Tor surely tine hardest OF all concessions is
that which avog5. :. was wroag'
Vafs abrupt movement caused Lady March
mont to look UP iIquriagly. and she OWNED
the cause OF her d:spieasure. fine young lady
had certain peculiar notions OF her own. and did
not like being j0hed about her love and her
lover, especially before third person. Ere
Lady Marcimoat. however. could atone for her
lndiscretiun. anGsLer ltdy present looked up
from her lace work aud sald quietly:
- Is il not wonderful nov ready we women
are to trust our happiness aaG our future in the
hands OF men Oi Whoin, for the most part, we
know little Z:
The speaker was slight. fair woman. whose
age it would be difficult to guess. She was one
OF those persons whom would at first de-
clare to bt quite unattractiye. and shortly dis
cover that tEcy possess Il strange fascination.
Whether it was her peculiarly clear. low-tOned
voice or certain air or quiet self-po<sesson
which nothing seemed to rufiie it was undenia-
BE that Mrs. Maitland had had her share OF adj
miFeTs. and in this her third Year of widow
hood was said To have received more than one
offer to change her apparently not inconsoable
state.
Val glanced at her with a slightly contemptu-
Gus look lii her eyes
Your remark has no significance for me.
Mrs. Maitland, FOR Know Captain Dalrympe
thoroughly, she said. With happy confidence
in her tone. slight smile played tor moment
round Mrs. Maitlands thin fps and she dropped
her eyes again over her WORK.
- On YOU think you do. she answered in her
quiet tones which, somehow or ether. generally
had the effect OF irritating Val. (which does as
wel-nay. better. for few Of Us would benefit
BY an intimate knowledge Of the lives o., most
men,"
- The lie of every honorable man is the
same returned Val Indignantly. Your eX-
peTience OF the other sex must have been unfor-
tunate, Mrs. Maitland
There was slight accession of color in the
widows Us ually passive Cheek as she replied in
somewhat sarcastic tone: Il admire. if do
not emulate. Your charming confidence, Miss
Charters. nope you may never have cause to
regret II, but think when you are few years
older yCu will acknowledge that men are all
alike. and shat self is the guiding star OF their
existence"
- refuse to believe it," said Val. You are
welcome to Your opinion. Mrs. Maitland: leave
me in the enjoyment of mine. There are bad
alike in both sexes. but what does it matter if
there are worthless men when the one in whom
one trusts and believes is all he should be % and
with this Val turned her back on her antagonist.
and dropping into an aSy-chaIr. gave herself
up To a mental revision of the virtues OF her
''eher0tte1 sans p51ii- et SttaS reTrOche."
What sweet smiles cifcled her lips. what
happy light shone in her eyes as she lived over
again that brief period of wOOin@. when the old
story that Is ever new in the telling was
whispered into her willing ears Oh. bright
tine of youth and love that comes but once to
al, that passes all too swiftly, but which years
after has still the power to rekindle flame in
our WORKOUT. weary hearts.
Wal, said Lady MaTchnOnt. breaking in on
her reverie, a she bent over her and spoke in
low tone, where are Your thoughts! | hear
the dOg-cart going round to the front door"
Val brought herself back from a delightful
past to a still more delightful present and sat
up IN an expectant attitude with sparkling eyes
and flushed cheeks.
In few minutes the door was flung open and
lanr1ID ibalTyfnnit1 A1
tall. soldleriy-iOoking man. with grave. serious
lace and dark earnest eyes. which, when he
smiled, softened and lit up In wonderfully at
tractiye manner.
greeting with him was necessarily restrained.
silent but expressive pressure of the hands and
Captain Dalrymple turned TO Lady Marchmont
: have to tnank you for your great kindness
In extending to me your invitation TO VAL"
- am too delighted to see you,' answered
Lady MarchmOnt heartily; land for the rest
You know Val would not have consented to
come if you had not also favored us with your
company"
As she spoke she half turned toward Mrs
Maitland with the intention of Introducing her.
when, to Nars establishment. that lady came
forward. holding out her hand, as she said with
her most fascinating smile:
There is no need for an introl uctOn. bady
MarchmOnt; Captain Dalrymple and | are old
friends"
Val turned her gaze to her lovers face and
tlIcft al tx l1TtSS!O1 tIdI she could not
aetly fathOm. Was it surprise. annoyance or
embarrassment : He seemed for moment
somewhat at a loss for a reply
- did not expect to meet you," he said at
length
The unexpected always happens, you
know. replied Mrs Maitland
What did IT mean: Val asked herself. That
they should he acquainted with each other was
not wonderful but why had Mrs. Maitland been
client on the point toward her; and above all
why should her presence apparently disconcert
Vernon in some way:
She had not time to ponder further on the
subject, for the next moment Captain Darym-
PIE turned To her with his attractive smile I'M
Ger the influence of which Walls disauietude
melted instantly. How absurd to worry about
sach thing, when, OF course. at the first Oppor-
tunity Vernon would explain it all This
Thought revived her spirits. and when few min
ufes later the party swel!ed by some other
guests staying al the Hall she was the gayest of
the gay. enjoying delightful little asides with
Captain Darymple, which enabled her totally TO
FORGET the existence of Mrs Maitland
" Meet me in the dTawing-room before any
one IS down, she whispered to him as they sep
tod te lr.aS- for Dime