Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-23
''But il is I who would have made her har

''But il is who would have made her happyr'
thought poor. obstinate Johnny.
ANY matches?" said Fleming. with his fin
gers in the tobacco-iar.
Johnny made no answer. and the other
fumbled in the pocket Of his coat
by Godr'
This time Addenbrooke was reused. and came
over to the table. What's up" he said
Fleming pointed in silence to a stamped and
addressed envelope lying at his feet
Johnny picked II mp, with dull sense OF
relief that matters had been more OF less taken
out of his hands He knew before he looked
at II, that II was addressed 10 Miss GREY, and
that i. was Jennings customary carelessness in
the matter of posting his letters which had
wrought the mischief.
Lawrence was much excited. 1T had slipped
behind the lining of the pocket | have lust
taken the coat from my portmanteau. D. that
poor girl. that poor girl. what must she have
thought of me all this timer
Addenbrooke faced him suddenly. DO Won
intend. he said, in low voice, 'endeavoring
to repair the Mischief
1t is possible that he had a low opinion of
Fleming's constancy.
Il viii go TO her tomorrow cried Lawrence
sudden pang of personal anguish, an intol-
| cradle sense of bereavement, shot through
Addenbrooke.
He thought: after all. perhaps. am moth
ing but jealous devil who begrudges my girl
her happiness"
Aloud he said: There may be difficulties at
first. In fact. Miss Grey is engaged to lie mar
ried."
Fleming rose with an exclamation.
The two men stood facing one another: Law
renee. flushed. excited; Johnny, pale with tense
eyes and nostrils
Lydia engaged, Lydia. The women are all
alike. Could she have no patience, no trust,
but she must needs throw herself away in a hit
of pique on some fellow who is not worthy Of
herr"
She is engaged to me- cried Addenbrooke.
with sudden passion. And. by Heaven, 1
think 1t Is L who am too good for her."
The passion of such men as Addenbrooke is
terrible thing.
Fleming quailed before it. He gathered up
his papers in silence and went from the room.
Mrs Grey swept up to Addenbrooke he
ing-room door.
oh. Professor Addenbrooke, am SO SORRY"
she cried.
so am l." he answered. curtly
1t was two days after the events of the last
chapter. Lydia had made her choice, and now
al her own request, was to take farewell of
Addenbrooke
As she came forward. with flushed checks
and SHINING eyes, TO meet him, it struck him
mat she resembled the picture OF a Bacchante
ne mad seen somewhere. A Bacchante in
tailor-made gown. with the neatest of cuffs and
collars-poor johnny,
Il wished" she said. when their greeting was
over. Ito thank you with all my heart"
anu i. ne sdlu. WISH 70 tell Won this DO
not think that merely took advantage of you
believed that L could make you happy-i be-
lieye 1t still
She smiled sadly. and Addenbrooke broke
into sort of laugh.
20, Johnny johnny she cried
He had no intention of being pitied, even by
Lydia
Don't distress yourself about me. LYDIA
he said; Il nave had nv chance Perhaps L
ought to tell you that 1 do not think you have
chosen the better man."
They talked little. aimlessly: then Alden
brooke held out both his hands in farewell 1t
was Lydia. who, drawing him toward her,
kissed his face for the last time.
She knew. as he stood there facing her. that
he was passing out of her life forever. For the
moment he seemed TRANSPORTED no longer in
significant; a tender but inscrutable presence
pltylng. ironica. Some inarticulate voice IN
her heart cried out to him not to leave her: I'M
consciously she pat out her hand, and then he
was gone.
Not long after Fleming was with her.
lie had his arm about her waist and was kiss
ing her lips as Addenbrooke had never kissed
them.-Amy Lery, in "BylgrdUla"