Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-16

she did. She came and she kwied and walked
behind all the way, SO she did"
II guess not. my little man."
"Yes, she did,! retorted the small seaman,
squaring for his word in spite Of past benefits
Yes, she did; yes, she did," said the chorus
of high-pitched voices. "We knows her. Her
father owns this nocean clear out to the point,
so he does. And she kwied, and she kvisd, {"
they repeated. with morbid interest In the sx-
preston Of Hiram's countenancs at this an
nouncement.
"U-m-m!' said Hiram. monotonously, re-
opening the NINE
At evening Hiram sat reAectively in the
library window and wondered il Miss Falkner
would condescend to give him a few moments
of her superior society. That young woman
came in presently and advanced toward him
with queenly graciousness.
Let me congratulate you, Mr.. Spaul-ding,"
she said, sweeuy completing the whole
sentence.
"Why-why SOP" said Hiram. rising in his
awkward, courteous way, and placing for her q
chair.
Because had undertook hesitated
and blushed wildly, suddenly remembering
information had arisen-''that you are en-
gagged"
Of such a thing. At least" he added Che feared
nothing when once launched), 'unless can be
engaged to the girl l want You know very
Hiram had said this before, and he repeated
it rather sadly. without looking for a response
nevertheless there was decided combination
Of the Spauldingville iron and steel in his un-
eXpectant attitude.
Kate, looking at him. thought strangely il
must be very sad to love any one SO faithfully
and long as Hiram had loved her without any
recognition or return. Il don't see why any
one should want such girl as 1 am" she said.
She completed this sentence, too She had re-
turned to her old trick Of gazing out Of the
window, but the bright glow on her face was
pitiful rather than insolent; there had been a
slight choking in her voice.
hiram regarded her with amaze and quick
beating of the heart. He believed now she had
been to the little boys funeral and that she
had cried You are good enough for me, ="
he said, with the sudden speed and force of q
well-turned locomotive.
hate smiled. 1T would-please papa,
wouldn't it?' said she, hiding certain gasping
In her young voice under this cloak Of hlial
regard
this sudden curve with no slackening Of the
brakes
1T is very kind of you" said Kate, intently
absorbed with the landscape. Hiram trembled.
Was she going to pause in the old insulting
wayH Considering, she went on. slight in
tlmatlon OF malice i'll her softened eyes. that
1 am so much too much spun out.
Hiram laughed rapturously. why. darling"
said he, Il wouldn't have one half inch less of
you for all-all the steel and iron in the uni
verse" Kate suffered kiss from the bristling
mustache with as little as possible visible exhi-
biton of fortitude. 'And. dearest" Hiram
went on, i'll his quick, mellow tones, when will
you consent to make your father happy? Say
the old phrase. Kate; it's SO familiar to you.
Say 1t. Just once more! Say It, Kate.'
What phrase?" said Kate, msrveling.
"'At once"
Indeed" replied Kate, very earnestly, 81
won't say"-she darted pathetic fash at him
out of her willful, softened eyes-''at once. u
Hnpers Weekly