Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-02
CHAPTER ".
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

Sunday afternoon ia the time whom all the
prentice youth of London male and female
are walking out together. If it is summer thew
are In the park, proudly arm in arm. If it ID
the winter they are on their way ..out to tea "
This afternoon should have been numbered
with those of the sweet spring season, because
it was nearly the end of April, but a cold
northeast wind and occasional driving showers
forbade the thought Of spring. On the north
side of Pail Mali girl walked up and down the
pavement.
II any one had stopped to look at her instead
OF hurrying along as if lashed with a whip by
this abominable wind be would have remarked
trst-generally, that here was an extremely
pretty girl. and secondly, that here was a girl
In trouble. Indeed, if anxiety were ever de-
picted upon any face 1t was upon this girls
face, an anxiety which showed itself in a
trembling OF the lips, in quick, short signs as
she walked, in eager glances along the street az
II she were asking when-when would he come?
1t was at O'Clock, just the sun was set
ting and the iessening light like messenger
proclaimed the fact from its hidden lord, that
he did come. He hurried into Pail Mall from
st. James street, and walked rapidly along
looking down: young man.
Il accept he had replied shortly Mark
that this man, who seemed to the girl 80
noble and so brave, had become suddenly.
at the touch Of his fathers hand the merest
cur and coward Of a man; he had promised
q thing which wanted to carry it through.
the falsest the coolest, the cruelest of hearts.
Fear Of poverty and dread of his fathers
anger we're the ruling forces which trans
formed lover, manly, true and tender, into a
cur. The thing makes one tremble Under
what influences, brother Of mine. should we
two put off the armor of the knight and re-
veal the craven tail of the mongrel cur2
Yet this man who was going to do 40
mean and villainous a thing, at his fathers
bidding, had 80 much Of his fathers courage
In him that he was ready to tell the girl in so
many words, face to face with her alone, what
he meant.
Come ON. he he said add was going to write to
ward. Better have it out in words"
"Harry-what is it? What has happened2
Why do you look SO stranger
Come upstairs" He led the way. His
chambers were ON the first floor. He raked up
coal.
.'Sit down." he said; "you must be cold"
She waited for him to take her in his arms
and kiss her. as was his wont. He offered no
caress at all She sat down, however. and
warmed her hands and feet. She was yery
cold. Then she started up again
Il don't understand you today Harry, WHY
can't you look me in the face? What have YOU
done?''
When came back to town found ont that
it wouldn't do. ! couldn't exactly explain to
you why it wouldn't do. Besides. to tell the
truth, hoped it would do. Knight have been
made a partner without conditions. or-or
anything may happen. The truth is, of course.
as 1 suppose you guess" and he raised his ewes
and faced her boldly, SHAT they want me to
marry n lady"
Good heavens! Why, we are married Have
you forgotten that?"
care we?"
"Are We not?"
"Married-ah! we'll, Of course, don't pretend
to believe that you didn't see through the trick.
Whara Cd
"At registry"
"Where was that registry"
81 don't know. You took me there"
81 took you to an Office. But, my child, It
was sham registry" He turned away his
head Cold and selfish as no was he coniJ
not face her as he told this internal lie. ga
sham office" he went on, land took a false
name. You are no more married than your
sister Miss Ruth Heron" He forced himself to
face her.
II don't know-I don't know" she said not in
iact knowing what she said. Then she stopped
do you mean all you say-sll2" she
asked.
CALI mean IL all. Hang it, Ruth, nobody
wants you to come to any harm. I tell YOU
frankly that will buy back all the letters. I"
She bent forward and whispered.
He sprang to his feet with an oath and
walked across the room. When he came back
to her his face was logged and obstinate Is il
had been with his father. Unhappiiy the girl
would not meet him with equal stubbornness, /"
'What does that matter TO me?" he asked her.
with brutality incredible. do a. you like.
Only when you come 10 think it over you viii
say that the best thing you can do is to follow
my advice. Give up all the papers and I'll see
you through-buy you business-send you
abroad--snything you please"
Remember that this man up to this moment
had been her passionate lover; one who would
not ind respect too great or worship too COM
plete. What did say? Fear Of poverty re-
duced him in one moment to this level Again
say-it makes one trsmble lest through some
temptation We too
The girl stared ct him. TWAS 40 IL beneath the
visor Of the mighty helmet. where moment
before had been the face Of man, there should
be grinning the ugly features Of q mocking