Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-07

and Freddie went out to Martinique and
Died of some one OF those horrible scourges
that young men do die OF when they leave
their native land to carry civilization into
other chimes. Poor Freddie!
1 could have forgiven Ruth Jeaffreson IL
1t had been only Freddie Deiamere. After
all, no girl can help not caring as much
for a boy as boy cares for her when 1t
happens once; but, curiousiy enough, 1t al
ways seemed to happen with her. and it
always happened that those l liked best
seemed to be irresistibly fascinated with
Ruth l never could tell why. for she was
really not good looking, her profile was not
half as good as mine. although 1 was cred
tied with having the biggest nose in Blank
hampton: still had a good profile. nobody
could deny it. 1 was fair-too fair-with a
good deal OF smooth fine, almost golden
hair, and a very pale. fine complexion.
looked what l was, exceedingly delicate.
and my hands were small and slim and
very white. 1 was very slim and slight in
build. too. but really was very interesting
looking. AS for Ruth Jeaffreson, she was
broad In the shoulder and small in the
waist. and she carried herself with a swing
and an air that to me, was most offensive
She was quite ordinary in co.ering, jus.
brown hair and a pale face, without a good
feature in 1t; she had rather big eyes it is
true. big and dark, and sometimes she used
to look 80 somber that one almost pitied
her: then the next minute there would
come a CLINT into her eyes toss to her
head, and you could feel nothing-at least
of impotent helplessness to think she could
take everything 50 coolly as she did.
never could tell what the men saw In her,
but they did, they all liked her-at least all
the men that / liked liked her, and that
was what never could forgive Ruth Jeaf-
freson for. There was Tom Ogilvie. Tom
might have married anybody in B.ankhamp-
ton: but though everybody thought he was
going to marry Ruth. somehow 1t didn't
come off. Ruth went sailing along In her
old fashion, and Tom went OF to India.
and nobody heard anything more OF him for
dozen years at least: SO far as blank,
hampton was concerned that was the end
of him.
Then there was big doctor down from
London--by big / mean great Specialist
I danced with him at several little private
dances He always complained OF his heart
told me he ought not to dance, and that he
could not take more than half a turn round
the room, apologized profusely. and asked
me to take turn in the corridor Instead
But he could dance a whole waltz through
with Ruth Jeafrreson. l suppose ! didn't
dance as well she did, or my step didn't
suit him quite as thoroughly. AT the end
Of the second dance l heard him ask her il
she was likely to be going to the parish
next day-we always call the cathedral the
parish" In Northumberland she said
out aloud. with a laugh: No. 1 never go
to the parish" 1 always did. 1 used to sit
In the nave. just at the corner of the choir
seats. and the next day l saw Mr.. Hlnch-
man come quietly in. go lelsurely along and
examine several Of the old tombS, and then
meander along looking at the choir screen
as If he had never seen choir screen In
his life before. Three minutes afterward
Ruth came sailing in. lifted her eyebrows
when she saw him-I have very good sight
and / saw II plainly-but suffered herself,
half unwillingly, half In a testing kind of
way. to be drawn of into a secluded corner
where their best friend or their worst enc
my would have found 1t hard to recognize
them. l had never hated Ruth so much as
] did that afternoon. That affair did not
last long. 1t was pretty heavy while it did