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

could not pierce his humble Imagination. And
she was only waiting tor the right moment to
let the faintest dawn Of hope glimmer on his
slow mind.
They were out in the boat trolling for fish
together, Mrs. Hills securely Watching them
from a ccmfor table seat on the beach.
Il have been insulted, Rodney" said Kate.
All! the victims of the past who would furi-
ously have grasped the cudgels at such An in
timation.
"shoy" said Rodney, without further speech.
But it was not Miss Falkner's lmagination; his
blue eyes were wistful, sad, today.
'And by dear friend of my father. too. 1t
was simply inhumanr
"Waaf now what did'he say to you?"
''He said"-Miss Falkner lifted her magnetic
eyes with dark look which forbade any less
serious Interpretation OF the crime-"he said
fancy it from a gentleman-he said that was
too spun outr"
WAL, you would make rather a wafty igger-
head" said Rodney. YOU'D lean some to
nor wester reckon"
How drol you are, Rodney" said Beauty
Falkner.
But Rodney looked ANYTHING rather than
merry. He labored faithfully at the line, for
he was earning his daily bread; but 1t was
evident that for some reason today 1t would be
an easy matter for the tears to gush forth and
down mis- cheeks.
Miss Fsakner could put but one Interpretation
upon thissbftness: it was poor Rodney's artless
way of being in love. And yet she meant to
play with him little before elevating him to
the final pinnacle of bliss.
"a wafty figure headr" She laughed me-
.odiously. That term in itself compli-
ment being the highest work of art along
shore. Then, don't you think in a north
wester, as you say. should need very-a
very strong arm to lean on, Rodney?'
There was no mistake about it now; the
tears were standing out in the young mans
wistful sea-blue eyes.
Rodney, If you could have your choice
among all the women you have ever seen,
those you might love and those you dared not,
you know-and yet for once suppose you
mlght-suppose you might, Rodney-which
would you choose5"
why, Annalrce. in course" said Rodney.
"But want thinkn' much about that. was
thinkin' about my little boy"
"Your little boy!" Hates red lips parted
breathlessly. Then the color left them as they
compressed; her eyes grew very black and
large.
Rodney did not see. He was hastily draw
ing his sleeve across his own eyes, Yes,
mas am; he's very sick. Miss PhPbus she's in
helpin Annaluce, but he's been CROWN weaker
ever since Saturday"
.How many children have you, Rodney?"
Hates tones were as even and cool as though
she was discussing the weather with society
acquaintance.
Three. There's little Rod that's sick and
Annaluce, and the baby Abe"
And your wife is also-Annaluce-is she
mott"
Yes"
''Is she one Of the natives along shore, as you
say?'
mo. married her while we was up in
Canada. She's some part Indian"
oh! said Miss Falkner, tossing her proud
head with charming laughter; shes only one
OF those wives that you buy for $50. then,
Rodney"
Il don't know bout them sort of wives"
said Rodney; but $4,000 nor 10000 times
that couldn't buy Annaluce from me-" I'VE
was married" said he, Jest the common way"
and repeated, i'll his abashed sing-song tones.
for richer or poorer, for better or worse, till
death do us part.
But there was steadfastness as simple and
profound as the depths under him looking out
OF his innocent blue eyes.
Miss Falkner had shot her last shaft and il
had returned to her powerless. Still she spoke
coolly, almost insoently. If Rodney had been
skilled to detect that fine quality i'll her tones.
May call and see your wife, Rodney, and
your homer
Its only that little cottage way down there
the brown one; the smallest one. When do
You want to Gomez"
AT once"
Rodney, with an answering heart now
pulled swiftly to the shore.
The cottage was very small, very brown.
Annaluce was - ust the common" looking sort
of woman Kate Fakner thought More than
that, her face was disfgured with care and
tears, her hands worn with labor, her poor old
cotton frock simply shocking"
The embarrassment which Annaluce would
ordinarily have suffered under the visitation
Of so brilliant and wonderful a guest was en-
tirey lost sight of in her humble distress over
her sick child. She nodded to Kate, regar ding
her vaguely through her tear-stained eyes, and
went up to Rodney.
The doctor told you he come" said she
but he hasn't. They always tend to others
first. They never hurry about coming
to the likes OF u.s.. And little Rod, he's worse;
and he suffers So"
Doesn't come! He shall come" said Kate.
He shall come to you at once. know Dr.
Giles. My name is Falkner."
With these magnificent words, uttered in
very sweet voice. she began to walk swiftly
then to run, toward her fathers house on the
bluffs.
In two moments after reaching it she was
galloping down toward the Point, the star tied
James following at full speed.
The doctor came.
this child, DOCTOR" Kate SAID. She stood firmly
and nervously tapping her boot with her riding
whip. 1t must be done. Send for other ply
sicians; give him attendance nights. You I'M
derstand. have set my heart on it 1t must
be DONE"
And from that hour everything that skill and
care could do was done for little Rodney in that
poor cottage by the sea. But they could not
save him, and so at last he lay with his noble
little face IN passing peace. framed pictur-
esquely, like his fathers, in Its rich light curls.
Kate had been constantly back and forth In
attendance, eager. unwearied, humble, plead
ing even, in her efforts to help and save.
When they pointed her early one morning to
the still little form covered ON the bed she
turned, and a sob broke from her sharp and
quick, as though some mortal pain had pierced
her too.
She went over where the poor mother was