Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-04

|
| such IL considerations"
| glance or a whispered word of his? He
never had made love to her as other men,
| why should she blush and pa1pitate? We'll,
! positively this Is the first real mystery 1
ever came across in my life. 1 feel SO diff
| ferent, so very different"
| She began walking the floor of her little
| room with reStlessnesS that would have
astonished Mrs. Warning could that lady
have been a spectator. Yet they say
| musing to herself. zone reads about it
until one is weary and yet one is drawn On
| just the same, and 1t is always new
| The deep disquiet of her soul beWildered
| her. There were some trinkets on her bu-
reau and she arranged and rearranged
these. scanning the. effect each time as
| though the result were matter of grave
moment. But her thoughts were all the
obeying an impulse; she put on her best
| walking gown and set forth for Noers
| studio. She had grown very fond of the
| studio, but this was the first time she had
| ever gone alone, and she. wondered now
| what her mother would say. But she must
| see him. analyze him in the light of this
new regulation if she couldn't analyze her
| self. She knew that 1t was his working
hour so she opened the door and walked in.
He was painting away with all fervor,
with dirty, heavy-mouthed, droop-eyed
child before him a model.
why, Miss Warning. Miss Warning" he
cried. delighted. I'm so glad you've come
| today. I've been wishing all morning hat
you could lie here. 1 wanted you to see
tangle in her hair, and what long eyelash-
es she has. 1 found her on the street ard
asked her to come up with me. She makes
a fine study in color with that yellow
drapery behind her."
Barbara was not artistic enough to easily
reflect his enthusiasm. yet the picturesque
ness OF the child was not entirely lost upon
her.
'She is very good" she agreed. absentlv.
and walked around to look at the picture
on the easel. She was flushed and breath
less from rapid walking. and now that she
stood in his presence wished that she had
not come. please go on with your work
she begged after moment. 81 shall feel
sorry II you don't, and talk to me about
your model. Where did you find herr"
ION the street. Do sit here on this chair
where can see you, too If am to work
while you are here"
But she was too restless, uneasy over
| the holiness of her visit. to sit down
| She continued to walk around looking
| at sketches and odds and ends of draw
| Ing. Noel's eyes followed all her move
ments and his interest in his work tagged
| When Barbara saw the little model steal
ing softly away, some shining coins in her
| dirty little hand, she felt that she too
| must go.
MOT just this moment" he pleaded,
But 1 only came in for a moment I
| have some shopping-an appoihtment-'
she stammered, blushing and confused
Then she looked up at him they stood
| facing each other, and he took one of her
| hands between both of his.
rs it true, Barbara?'
rs what true?'
II love you, love you so. Do you love
| me little? II seem to read it in your
eyes"
'Oh. you must let me CO." she breathed,
| suffering an intenser fright over her own
| emotion than over the improperly of the
situation, standing there alone with him
| in his studio.
Eyes. this instant, sweetheart. but I'm
| coming this evening to see YOU
Yes, come" she faltered, as she van
ished through the doorway and fled down.
| stairs.
| The engagement was publicly announce
| in few days. Mrs. Colonel Warning be-
| lieved in letting the world appreciate her
| triumphs. She confided the story of Noers
wealth and high connection to two or three
| figured largely in the story, too. Little
| notices crept into the papers, and Barbara
| was envied as well as admired. Noel was
too blissfully happy to heed anything out
| side of his sweetheart and his picture.
He had been accepted, and so had they
at the spring exhibition, and discriminate
ing critics had given them high praise.
| 1t was about this time that Tom Warning
returned from California. A lucky finan-
cial deal had edded considerably to his for
| tune and he was gay accordingly, yet his
smile grew trifie grim when told of Bar
| baras engagement. II thought she'd make
| him forget the other woman, but I'm
| afraid men are faithless creatures. any
way. I'm true as anybody to love. but not
to its personification. l thought 1 had left
my heart safely in New York, and now
| believe it's in Mexico. Stunning creature
! I met down there"' But sentimental re-
| grets could not cloud Mr.. Warnings salts
| faction in his financial success. He BEAM
ed upon the world like full-risen sun and
| returned thanks for his good fortune in
| liberal donate to favorite charities and
a diamond pin to Barbara.
| 1t was two days after his return that he
received another foreign letter, and he rec
ognized James Noers handwriting before he
| broke the seal.
Dear Warning: 1 regret exceedingly that
1 troubled you with that former letter about
my son. He did not sail for America, but
secretly married the widow. The bad taste
| of the matrimonial affair still fingers bit
ter around my mouth, but there's use
| worrying now, and our daughter-in-law is
| staying with us. By the way"
| Warning did not stop to turn over the page
and finish the letter. He felt his hair ris-
ing and an ague creeping down his back.
| Young Noel still abroad and married. Then
what of this other man who bore his name,
who had won Barbara? An adventurer?
The thought was awful.
| Twenty minutes later he rushed into Mrs.
| Warnings apartment, breathless, turbulent,
| the open letter still ir his hand. The draw
ing room was free of visitors Mrs. Col.
| Waring recined by the open fire, absorbed
in a book, while half way down the room
| Barbara sat radiant, talking with Noel.
Waring felt like springing upon the young
| villain for holding the girls hand, but re-
| strained himself, because such course
| you'd be unwise well as lacking in dig
| nifty. Still his anger increased with every
/ stride he took forward into the room. Mrs.
| Waring sprang nimbly to her feet.
! Good heavens! Tom, what's the matter?''
1.-THE devils to pay" he cried fiercely
| That man is a-a-the Lord only knows
what" his voice failing him, one finger
pointed at Noel.
What is the matter?" inquired the young
| man, also rising.
Matter. sir, matter you ask me the mat
ter? Read that and you'll find out. Oh, it
shows You up wel'' thrusting the letter
into his hand. Mrs. Waring looked on in
disgust, dsqueted and yet firm. Noel read
the letter hastily, his face clearing. He re-
| menbered Warning as he had first seen him,
| and thought he comprehended the situation.
You are little excited now he said
pleasantly, even amusedly. Il think you
must have missed part of this letter. 1t ex-
plains the situation pretty well, and
and" He broke into hearty laugh. Il
feel very much though had stepped out
of a pink-bound story book. He has mis-
taken my identity. Barbara; he has mis-