Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-09


became more and more impatient to see Muriel
and more anxious to talk Of her to Gertrude.
1t was late one evening when he returned from
spending the evening at Gertrude's boarding
place that his mother told him of Muriers ar
rival. He determined to see her early the next
morning, but before daybreak he was called
out to see patient living at some considerable
distance from the town. 1t was troublesome
case and he did not get back until late in the
afternoon. As he drove into the village he re-
membered that he had promised Gertrude that
he would drive her over to the cliffs at clock.
He hurried home to have fresh horse put in
and to arrange his dress. He could have a few
moments with Muriel before keeping his en-
gagement, but when he looked at his watch he
found that it was fifteen minutes late. He hes
itated moment. He had half mind to break
his appointment and 60 to see Muriol. But
then be remembered how particular che was
herself about such things and that she had
often said she liked to see a person follow the
line OF their duty, even when it lay in the way
OF her pleasure. lie decided to take Gertrude
and tell Muriel all about it that evening. He
thought of this meeting all that afternoon.
When just at dusk he was driving into town he
met MurIel and her aunt driving out toward
the country. If he had been alone he would
have turned around and Joined them, but
Gertrude was with him. SO he contented himself
with leaning far out of his buggy to smile and
bow brightly. As for Muriel, she bowed coldly
and formally and leaned back IN the carriage
so that in the dim light he could scarcely see her
face. When tho doctor arrived at home his
mother told him that she had seen Muriel in
the afternoon and that she had gone to spend
the evening with friends living few miles
from town. The memory Of that long evening
came back to him as he sat in his little study.
How long those hours had seemed, for now he
was truly anxious. He must see her. What
was she thinking of him? He had not called
on her yet, but she had seen him twice appar-
entity absorbed In another woman. Several
times he rose ard paced the floor. On his
desk lay dainty volume bound in vellum
Gertrude had sent it just after they had re-
turned from the afternoon drive. She had
marked the poem she wished him to read by
deep red rose, the kind she always wore-her
city florist keeping her supplied with them.
The little note that lay with it requested that
the poem. as 1t was q short one, might be read
and that he would come over that evening and
tell her what he thought of it, but
the book lay untouched until the heavy
perfume of the rose filed the room. Then the
doctor threw the flower impatiently into the
street, and 1T was many days before the book
was returned. Next morning he did not wait
for his breakfast before he sought to see Muriel.
but only the old housekeeper met him with the
news that Muriel and her aunt had started early
that morning for New York. and would sail for
Europe Immediately. That was the end. for all
the letters he sent came back unopened. The
next year passed quietly away; he lived through
another dreary winter, and another summer
came, bringing with it memories of other sum-
mers and the knowledge that his gentle mother
was passing away. In the earlypfadl he laid her