Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-02

4 iou ORC very much surprised, said this
giri. IN low, mystery Voice. making a very
| pretty picture of herself as she stood grace
iully outlined against the dark wall with the
| lamp hight shining full upon her And, indeed.
Badger. who fancied he had upon his person a
rule never 20 De taken OFF guard at anything
was omewhat startled and biushed in spite Of
| several consecutive efforts TO the contrary.
| All the people are in their little beds but
US. she continued. with an expansion of sim
plIclty that gave the good young man an al
most fatherly feeling toward her. Nobody
can know L am here, unless-unless-(w a
very slight iustallment of the bitter-sweet
laugh) you choose to tell them knew Won
| would De up. Tor students are always decreas-
| ing the oil products Of the country while other
people dream lou said, little while since,
That was to let you know when you could
| serve me. l told You / would. Well. I have
| come to let you know"
Badger had recovered his ruIe neyer-to-be-
| surprised from the pit into which it had tenn
| porarhy fallen and waited calmly for further
| information. though with a considerably accel-
| Grated movement of the heart
| Il thought you didn't mean it. Won know =,
| continued the young lady looking nj him
gravely and steadfas:ly. But / got to think
ing afterward and decided that you did. l will
| tell you what 1 want in a very few words and
you can do It Tor me easily-I want you to
| elope with me-"
Goodness. mercy! What does the cir,
means unused poor Badger. He lost his rule.
ever-to-be-surprised, this time, Completely
and unreservedly, and admitted it. even 10
| himself. ~
| You surprise me, very. very, very much. i"
| ne SAID, In a hoarse whisper. what in the
| world can you mean? Why, here won have
| known me only four or five hours and now wan,
to elope with me. What can you be thipkino
abouti'
'.lou heard every word said, !" iusistel the
young lady, with a lovely dignity that pre.
eluded any idea Of ''softness'' or Intending
forwardness. Il believe you can be trusted.
And want you to elope with me tonight :"
Mr.. Mcpherson felt fat.ered-why should he
not!-eyen IN the midst of the horror aroused
by the proposed enterprise. To be sure. he
knew that he was attractive enough. Won
Know. and had some ways of his own. OF
course, and he believed-that is, he couldn'i
help believing, he was somewhat maenetic
you see. and girls would fall in love with MIN
once In while OF course-so he must do tbs
father, brother and spiritual adviser act ali In
one, In tais case; II would make very pretty
and creditable story to tell Tom and one n,
two others-though the best girl at WiIminptou
must, of course, never hear anything abont il
and 1t would be right. He neryed and com
posed himself for the contest with this daint,
little morsel OF misdirected sentiment.
My dear girl, he murmured quietly and
friendly, taking one Of her hands in his with !
somewhat awkward paternal air. ..You mus
pardon mo for solemnly warning you agains
this infatuation."
Bat what use is it to warn me?" asked tn.
girl, looking him straight in the eyes with an
air OF graceful honesty that he could not bu
respect while he admired. There is no es
Gaping the infa'uation: 1 do not think heave,
meant me to escape it."
''Oh. yes. 1t did. =" insisted Badger, quite posi-
lively. Heaven ALWAYS intended so lovely
girl should escape everything wrong; and. be
sides. it would be impossible for me ever /.
join my fate with yours in the bonds of hol,
nairimony. ! am-am-sm-eugaged." III,
best girl at Wilmington. Del, shed her benigr
influence upon Badgers sense of memory an.
gave him q gloy OF pride that he was able to b,
thus faithful in the midst Of dire temptation.
.Oh, the stupid l am, slie exclaimed, be
remark like soft music In = dream. Il didn'
tell you all Il is nosyou am infatuated with