Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-13
THANKS TO THE FOG.

Come over to England to settle down, CID
MANI" inquired Val Forester, as he lit another
cigarette, and lounging back in his comfortable
armchair, looked contemplativey up at the
ceiling.
conscious smile lowered round the yellow
tips Of Captain Yiv1ans moustaches. ''Well,
don't know" he said slowly. mean to take a
look round and see what is going on
Whatever you do. eschew good looks. Pleas
ant enough, I'll allow, if you could keep them
for your own consumption; but an intolerabe
nuisance as you can't blind your friends
"Humph! a plain face opposite to you day
after day would be deuced unpleasant"
Eyes, but a beauty is the devil. Poor Corn
wall never got over 1t, when his wife had once
become the fashion. She took all the individu-
atty out OF him, and, as Mrs Cornwalrs hus-
band, he provided carpet for other men to
tread on. Have you got any one in your eyer"
Vivian blushed like girl. "I-I-don't know
just yet It's five years since saw her,
Time for woman to be married over and
over again; or. worse than that. she might have
had the smallpox or lost an eye. What's her
name and where does she hang Out?"
The other leaned forward and lowered his
voice. "Mnd-strlct confdence-Mabe Lor-
aine"
''By jove:" and Val Forester sat bolt upright,
an expression Of disruay passing over his pleas
ant face
What are you looking like that for7 You
are not hard hit It's not a case of I'll have
her-oT die?"
NO, no. nothing of the sort" the whiteness
of his cheeks belying his words II was at
her wedding last MONTH"
Frank Vivian stopped to pick up the cigar he
had dropped 'Her manner" His voice was
calm, but hoarse.
Lady Wavery. Her husbands Sir Guy. He
hnr-n fn, h4pt l,,4 Il =
before it reached the corner. Have B. and
So as Vivian rose in hurry.
Thanks. Can't stop. Forgotten an ap-
pointment. Ia. ia" With his hat drawn over
his eyes he hurried down the steps of the Army
and Navy, up st. James street into Piccadilly,
not caring in the least where he went, only
anxious to get away from the continual greet
ings of his friends.
Knowing that romance was q thing to be
sneered at, that true love was butt for chaff
and contempt, he had buried his dream in the
depths OF his heart, and flirted with the CAL
cutta bellies as gayly as the rest Of his brother
officers.
Now it was all over-the dream as well as the
hope of realization. He had thought that even
in this prOsaic age he had found one verse of
poetry; but the page was blank and the verse,
if ever written by any other pen than his own
cOnceit. had been most carefully erased. IN
less to pull wry face for other men to laugh
at; better to grin and bear it, telling himself
that matrimony was ever lottery and the
greatest prizes had a knack of turning out far
worse than blanks.
1t was the first night of the pearl of opera
singers after lengthy absence and COyent
Garden was crammed from the stalls to the cell
ing. The second act was over, and Vivian stood
up in the third row of stalls to let his glasses
wander round the house on voyage of dis
cOyery A friend tapped him on the shoulder.
Look at Wayerley. He doesn't look much
amiss, although he's inst passed through that
grave OF the affections, honeymoon. His
wifeS sumner, and not a bit stand-oftish, so
they say. Couldn't see her on her wedding day.
her veil had such beastly pattern; but to-
night. by Georgel she repays you" pause
shes smiling at one OF u.s." eXcitedly. You
don't know her, so it must be me. Let Us go
up; III introduce YOU
bitter smile lowered around viyian's mouth.
but he said nothing. She chose to smile at him
with the prettiest lips in the world, with Just
the same blush as when they parted so miserably
under the trees, but his face was grave and
lmpassive. Looking over his shoulder before
ne disappeared through the doorway, he saw
that an old man with gray hair had taken Sir
Guy place in the front OF the box. With Dor
rlnTton on one side. this stranger on the other.
there would be no opportunity for private con-
yersatlOn; but he felt it was worth the journey
from India only to stand within sound of her
voice. within reach of the glance of her eye
worth large sum in pounds, shillilgs and
pence. although to hear her was torture to see
her. madness Love must be very bad for US
when 1t turns the wisest among us into fools.
On their way they met the baronet himself,
slipping into his OveTeoat as he came toward
them.
How do, Dorrington-pretty fit ?"
LAS tit as yourself. was just going to pay
my respects to Lady Waverey. Ny friend,
dying to be introduced
$50 sorry you can't see Ter: but she's laid I'D
with headache. Come and have smoke"
With blank faces they turned round. thinking
a Cigarette poor consolation for their disap-
pointment
1.-The fellow can't be Jealous of ME already"
rumnated Frank. ''unless she told him what she
is sure to make point Of forgetting. | thought
she seemed to want me; but women are queer
creatures-prone to beckOn one minute, and
turn the cold shoulder If you venture to come
/ won't have Anything to do with them; I'll be
hanged if bother myself about them again, he
added theoretically. as re threw the end of his
cigar on the steps.
Nevertheless he was conscious of every move
rnent in the Wayerleys box and his indignation
rose sky-high as he saw man alderman admitted
during the course of the evening Patti sang
her sweetest, bnt he scarcely heard her
pretty girl great ally OF his before he started
for India. looked over her shoulder with Il smile
which would have induced any other man to
take up only too gladly the broken thread of a
past filtration. but lie remained as unresponsye
as block OF stone.
On leaving the theater he refused all invita-
tons to enticing little supper5. such as used to
have special charm for him when he was in the
vein for amusement, ami early the next morn
Ing started for his home IL Cornwall in q pro-
nounced IL OF the sulks.
$50 Capt. Vivian. the faithful and fascinating
Lancer, has returned to the field OF his former
cOnquests. and poor Charles last chance has
gone" said Lady Waverley. looking up into her
cousins serious lace, with {. mschieyouS twinkle
IN her eyes
Capt. Vivian. TO judge from the way his coat
sets. faithful to his tailor but there his fidelity
ents5. roCr IaTy Armstrong. who sat lust in
front OF him. nearly dislOcated her stumpv little
neck in her efforts to look at him, and he didn't
know she was there"
''Flattering to YOU, my dear at any rate"
j don't See why drawing up her own neck
which was ANYTHING but stumpy. IL was too
much occupied With the dear old general to no.
tice him"
Then. perhaps, he was not so cruel to Mary
as you fancied:" a small smile lowering round
her pretty lips.
He bowed to ner once. but that was ALL"
How could you tell if you didn't look at
himi"
II couldn't help looking at him to a certain
extent, when he was just under my nose
1t must have been a disagrceable necessity"
at was used to think he wasn't bad look
ing. Last night he looked hideous"
'But you are short-sighted and he kent at
distance"
Il am thankful he did-old friends arc such q
bore, her cheeks which were as soft as velvet.
cOloring Ike JacquenlinOt rose