Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-22

bald Il have much to saw and YOU have much |
10 listen TO. Where is my old friend, our home |
made couch i? Oh there it s pushed away back
In that dark corner. Octayia, how could you
treat my handwOrk with so little dionity?"
Then she pulled away with her pretty hands
until the couch with Its worn chntz covering
and cushions was placed to her liking in the
oroai window. and she comfortably established
thereon. The warm. golden beams of the setting
sun rested lovingly on her sweet face
And 80. my dear" | said with a sigh of con-
tent. for was very glad to have my Jean home
once more. after an absence of many weeks.
'.yoU are really engaged to be married. | ONLY
heard the ruInoT. as true. the other day. and
have waited for your own lips to tell me all
about It. and as many of the secrets OF love-
making IA you will confde to an old maids
keeping"
"uh. yes. ! am engaged. she answered care
leSSly; but Octavia, il you are Pining TOR love
ecrets have none to tell Surely Won know
as we'll as do that II was all arranged long ago
1IefOrc papa died. 1t was his dearest wish that
should marry the Baron Won stock and abroad
we are taught 10 obey our fathers even though
they die and leave Us: and even without that we
DOTSays never break our word"
She said this simply and as matter of course
taking of her rings one By one and making a
little row of them on the top Of the couch. She
was very young. only just seventeen, but there
showed that she had learned her lesson we'll
~ eS, know. child, answered with another
sigh. not so tranquil as my former one; 'Only.
you see. can neither understand nor believe in
such keeping Of ones word. Here. in America,
generally, girl marries for one of two reasons:
either because she loves. or because she Is poor
and needs home. The lattGrcan never be yOtu-
case, then, Jean, do you lore the Baron Won
Stock
Jean shrugged her shoulders. "He is iftv."
she said, and has gray hairs, and l AIN just
Seventeen and yoH know. summer and winter
car never agree. Eut ! am a D'Orsay."
srGr-ay or net D0rsay," replied shortly.
81 DO not believe in any such nonsense Jean,
dc you realize what you are giving up in marry
ing IA man you do not lover"
u think do. 0c1ayia."
is There then some one you do love- Jean?"
A long pause followed my question. during
which Jean put ON slowly the shining little
circicts that belonged to her slim fingers Then
she said in q troubled voice: "Octayia. that is
Just What have come TO tell YOU"
A peTcmPtoTy knock at the door, followed by
the Immediate entrance and familiar voice Of
my fayorite. Denis Durant, interrupted Jeans
little confession
Are you here, Madam Octayia ali alone in
the gioamng: And may come in!"
Come in aud welcome Denis but when did
you arriFe2 Your last letter said nothing of
your Intention To- return go soon. You were on
your way IL Florida then. Did YOU weary Of
the sunny South: ur We're the Florida girls less
winning and beautiful than You expected:r
NO and yes. Madame Octayia. AS to the
Florida girls fortunately for me they did not
make M my entire community, for had other
things TO thak about"
Denis crossed the long studio and now stood
beside Us where We sat in the quick-cOming
shadows. | turned to Jean to make them
known to one another.
jean. | said. this is your one rival I'm nv
affeti'ons Denis, this is Your only compeer In
my heart"
Il had proceeded thus far. when Twas shaken
out az my usual calm by little rGsping noise
from among the cushions. Denis started for
ward. and 10 Iny utter dismay and establishment
saw E=rn seize .i,an's hands and cover them
with eager KISSES. while he said in broken
voice:
''lo1t here. my darling why I thought
never knew You and Madam Octayia were
fTicnGs'
Then Jeans frightened little voice:
GA, please; you must not Oh. Octayia tell
HT. Iijrant all about it."
Tel Nr- Durant all about it, echoed; 'in-
ceed. think it Is you two should make explain
And 50 10y degrees they told me- II was the
same old story that is forever and forever re-
peatiag itself. They had met in Florida gone
Sightseeing and pIeasure-seekinr together
until a. fOregOne conclusion, they had come
70 love one another; and then-why then came
Jean summons home, followed by her formal
DetrotGal to the Baron Won Stock
'Si:e never let me know Madam Octayia
fad poor penis. where she was going or WHY
Did she suppose held her love so lightly won
and So lightly lost? What II she is engaged to
Baron Won Stock and bound by all the betroth
els In Christendom, 1t doesn't matter I'm the
least No guardian can dispose of a girl that
way IN this country. Jean, tell YOU it shall
not be. Don't you believe me- Jean:"
but Jean was sob6ing quietly to herself. her
face buried In her hands only the soft. dark
fringe of hair upon her brow visible
jean, l said at last, surely there Is no
cause for all these tears. 1t is quite simple:
what Denis says Is more or less true; the Baron
will never hold you unwIllingly to your word
Be frank with him. my DEAR it is ALWAYS the
best way to be honest"
You do not Know" she answered. lifting her
tear-drenched face into the moonlight that now
s'ieamed In soft efulgence through the open
window. what Ii means to US to have pliphted
our troth- tbs only very little less binding
IMAM marriage vow, and l. above all others
must not break mine; for, do you not know nv
oying father promised for me. and may not
Soil his honor though might nv OWN"
Ana rom this we could not move her Denis
was IN despair. and not less moved. for loved
thc~c Two Children dearly. and In nv secret heart
hait cherished the hope that they might one day
friends.
Jean sobbed on little longer. while Denis
he'd one unTcsiSting hand and the kindly
siiad VS. Of the calm May night wrapped ms ali
In soft obscurity- Presently there came the
'''-' 't-'Nt> tt--'A ti4S tI&l.rllI Of horses
The quiet stree below. and then my little maid
Appeared with her Iisping message:
"ki;rJn Won Stock was waiting for Miss
DOr-ly."
- Jean dried her tears put her hat over her
DARK. rutfied hair. gave her hand calmly to
beA.~. Missed me hastily. and then we were
LETT alone Tie horses pranced below. and
Through the evening air came jeans plaintiye
Vc'ee Then the rolling wheels growing fainter
II the distance, and theu-sience
1 said CT
up." S''' Nei
Don't give her up. Madam Octayia," he re-
p-'ed; but " hat can 10: II Is he that gives
he up What can dog"
"Go 10 her guardian, Mr. Haviand and tel
Rim II he has ANY remnant of youth left in his
heart. he will try and help YOU"
ms said. not unmindfu OF Denis good fam
1y. good looks. and MS great wealth. He
bFiGhteHed somewhat at this suggestion. and
leit BE. later or. more Hliag to see some hone
for the future.
did not see either Of my children for some
Gays after that evening; indeed / think two
weeks had gone by; but each DAY saw me SO
busi!y employed with my pupils and an amount
q extra work that | scarcely realized the flight
o. time
one afternoon. quite late as sat correctinca
YER Hluch out Of drawing study Jean came In.
u't not icoN Up. but welcomed her from nv
60. she came across the room silently and
STOOL before me without speaking
Wei, my dear. 1 said rubbing ont fore
an WIN a bit oi bread, lit Is a long time since