Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-08


mo, no." she suddenly cried with joyous
clap Of her hands. "YOu are Capt. Grahame-
| my playfellow Of long ago. I remember you
quite well, now; but 80 much has happened
since those days"
II know" he answered gently, wondering
whether the shadow in her blue eyes is caused
| by Jacks memory, or. as he looks at the hand
some young fellow 80 evidently at home In this
garden-by Jacks chosen successor. And then
the two men glare at one another, after the
fashion common to Englishmen when they meet
for the first time and are uncertain whether to
be on friendly terms or fly at each others
throats
''Sir Regina Vane-captain-no, it is colonel.
now, surely! thought so-Col. Grahame" And
while stiff bow is exchanged she proceeds to
pour out the tea.
Fane renews his attentions to Queenie. but
she. from some perverse instinct of coauetry,
6estows all her favors upon the colonel, whose
grave aspect would hardly prove attractive to
children in general. Yet it melts into kindly
smile, as, lifting the little one upon his knee he
chances from her face to that of her mother,
Older only by some eighteen years. and re-
calls the days when Nina Forester had sat
as conidingly on the knee Of the shy young
cornet.
You will let me scull you up the river Mrs.
FalrfaX! says Vane, as he puts down his tea
cup. Il have not forgotten" (here his voice
takes more tender inflection) 'our last expe-
dltion to Hampton court"
Mrs. Fairfax looks doubtfully towards her
Other guest, who somewhat stiffly observes:
Don't let me be any hiudrance to your plans.
Or perhaps you will allow me to take an oar in
your service"
Vanes face darkens but the widow claps her
hands and answers gayly: Capital it would
really have been hard work for one alone in this
heat"
So Queenie runs to fetch her mothers hat,
but at the last moment finds the charms of
faVorite kittens society irresistible, and elects
to remain on terra firma herself
Vane pulls stroke. and the boat glides
smoothly away from the emerald bank and out
Into the CLASSY eXpanse of water amid scores
OF others gayly laden with similar freight and
looking as if playing their part in some holiday
scene.
"This has been very hard on me-" murmurs
Vane, bending forward SO that his words are
au dibe to the fair steerer only. my pleasant
afternoon oil spoiled, because"
Because you are foolish self willed boy"
answers the little woman. who albeit some
four years his junior. sometimes likes to play at
maternal airs Come, shake OF your fit Of
blues! be agreeable and stay and dine with U.s."
with u.s. Are you going Cvery low, ito
Certainly am. He is one Of my very
Vane)-and have not seen him TO r years. We
have heaps OF things to say to one another"
Then you will certainly get through them
better uninterrupted" says Sir Reginald. in a
spteful soto vOce. Then aloud: Il am
awfully sorry. Mrs. Fairfax. but l have Just re-
membered that have to dine out tonight. |
am afraid must ask you to land me at Surbi-
ton. SO that l can get home by train. Steer
more to the right, please; you are running us
into that barge"
What. are you growing nervous?" and again
that sweet clear voice rings out, and Vane
grinds his teeth as he feels. rather than sees.
tnat grim smile is Overspreading the face be-
hind him.
When Surbiton is reached at length he
scarcely attempts to disguise his relief as he
springs ashore.
Good bye! Many thanks, Mrs Fairfax, 1
may come over again sOon.''
1T you iike-only it is best to give me
notice beforehand, as l might be in London
for the day. But. yes" softening as his face
iallsI"come when you like. Any day this
week"
The coloners heavy mustache has sustained
sundry pulls during this coloquy and his face
Ia shade graver than usual as he steps into
the vacant seat and possesses himself of both
oars. As with few vigorous strokes the boat
is once more in motion the widows eye for the
first time lights upon the manned left hand, aud
she excams in dismay:
'When-hOw-did that happenf"
I'm South Afrlca-lOng ago Don't be afraid.
My scuiiing may be somewhat clumsy. but | will
promise to get you safely home in due course Of
time"
"Oh! was not thinking of myself. But does
1t not hurt you? am 50 sorry / did not know
before Sir Reginald left u.s. Or stay-could |
help you, l wOnder!"
with those tiny baby hands of yours? No,
no, am getting on perfectly well; but give
that steam launch more space, or we shall get a
tossing after she has passed
a silence follows, during which both are busy
with their own reflections. When Mrs. Fairfax
lifts her eyes TO her companions face it Is SO
grave that she exclains in wonder:
II was gong to say, 4 penny for your
thoughts, but from the expression of YOUR
i,.,
to be worth much more. Won't you be gen
erous and impart them gratis:''
A long pause. during when she leans over the
side OF the boat and idly dabbles one hand In
the water.
Take care" he says, warnngly; "you Will
lose your rings
81 have none on that hand: except"
She takes the little white fingers out of the
water, and gazes halt sadly on the thick gold
band-Jacks wedding ring-placed there six
years ago, and only IS months before Jacks own
honest heart was still aud cold.
Leslie Grahame is looking at it also, and
somehow the sight nerves him to the next words
he has to say.
was with poor Jack when he bought that ring,
and few days later we had orders for India
and go | missed the wedding. But | did not
forget my Old friend or his brlde-nor,' he adds
more gently; did | forget You when sadder
news reached me. Poor jack" he says dream
lily. his thoughts busy with the boy friend of his
youth, and in a manner forgetting that he is
speaking to that friends widow; $50 Young. SO
eyen-hearted and generous"
"All that and more" she said quickly che is
too good for this cold hard world. An me! to
think that Jack. who was so strong should
have been taken. and little ME left TO face life
alone!"
You have your child" Unconsciously his
tone has grown little stern again.
Darling Queenie. Yes. But it is dull. some
times, and one wants some one to consult-to
lean on"
And you think to find that some one in Regi-
maid Vane!"
He is sorry the next moment to have blurted
out the words, but 1t is too late to recall them.
She flashes glance at him. and he meets 1t
steadily, expecting to be assailed with torrent
OF feminine wrath, but is taken aback at meet
ing instead a sudden burst of tears.
'Mrs. Fairfax-what a brute am!-forgive
me. have lived so much alone that | have
fallen into dreadful habit Of speaking my
thoughts aloud"
but how came you TO have such thoughts?"
"COuld | help IT. Only last night | heard
your names coupled together by the voice of
common gossip. and to-day have I not seen
some confirmation OF the report? And would
not presume to find fault. though was once not
only Jacks friend but almost q rough elder
brother to you in the forgotten days of long
ago"
Not fOrgotten?" murmurs stiled voice
'only wondered why you never came to see
me-"
ST vas best not = Joc, lovad and