Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-10

son. at the present stage. and, IL stop. I
shall get to care for her so internally that
time will do nothing for me. Hang that
absurd inspiration of mine! I'll never
play with fire again as long as liver
She was in the grounds. lying in a ham,
mock, and he went to her with q firm step.
Kate" he said. I'm going back to town
tonight
oh" she said. "are you?"
Yes" said Hopetoun, 80 be nice to me
this afternoon and put your book down."
What am I to do then?"
What beautiful weather we're having"
talk properly"
About yourself. 1 suppose you mean
That's always an interesting subject to a
boy" s,.s. -.
"a boy how old are you. Kate
Forty years older than you. sometimes
think
II remember you," he said, musingly.
| when you wore pinafore and open-w work
socks. and used to make yourself sticky at
dessert"
at isn't true"
You were a nice girl then. You've al
| tered
Eyes, I'm nicer"
Nice" he rema rked. "is feminine
word viii I'll, as you once informed me. may
mean many things. Nicer the compare
tive, know not"
Nicer Well. 1 am 'nicerv All is said
tcnight?"
After dinner. I'll 90 up by the 9:15."
"Why2"
"Oh," he said IT have to! Shall you miss
me?"
Yes. I suppose we shall at first. But
the Hawksleys are coming next week. and
the Kingstons. The house will begin to fill
directly; Do you you know Percy Kingston
with single eyeglass. and perennial
cornf1ower in his buttonhole?'
II should not describe him like that. He's
very clever"
"Oh. is hep Is he coming. too?'
Eyes. of course. and his sisters. Emmie
and Adeline. and para expects one Or two
people who may be useful for you"
"Hor' he said But why did you ask
If I'd met Percy Kingston? You aren't
Don't be so Ridiculous she murmured.
''Mayn't a girl ask a question:"
Her tone did not allay his misgivirg. She
was nothing to him-never could be-but he
should not like to see her throw herself
away on Hon. Percy Kingston. That would
hurt him.
LET US talk about something else" he
said. "Wfat were you reading?' He picked
the book up. "Rossetti"
Yves, Rossetti, but please don't let US
talk about poetry; it would be too dreadful
with your
"a stranger would certainly know we
were cousins" he said. 1T has been
| though by some people that possessed a
fairly wide acquaintance with the work of
the rsHSISE pOerS-
Really said Miss Drillingham. "but it
was not the extent of your reading doubt
ed, it was your capability for criticism
I'VE seem unhappy in our choice of SUBJ
jects this afternoon, don't we? How about
dogs?'
She was undeniably aggravating. and to-
day of all others, when he had been anx-
ions to carry away last pleasant impress
SION
l'If you'll excuse me-" he observed, 'Tll
go out to the kennel and look at them. AL
low me-"
The book had fallen. He restored it to her
and lounged away, and until dinner they did
not meet again.
At the table her manner had altered. She
WAS rad ant and charming. as II to amend.
He had never found his uncle so de trop.
He contemplated her raptly. The dress she
vas wearing was new to him. and he
thought how admirably 1t became her. A
Little spot of color burned In either cheek
and her eyes were brilliant. He marveled
that Drillingham did not think 1t strange
for him to be leaving her this evening"
What man, having the right to stay, could
have parted from her thus? How intermin-
abe the meal was! Would 1t last forever,
or would he have chance Of word alone
with her before the doscart came round?
He often remained with his uncle smok-
ing, but tonight he did not. Kate rose at
lest. and smiled on him as he held open the
door for her.
''Ill go and see to my traps SIR he said
elf may. 1 haven't much time to lose"
Drilling ham bowed indulgently He also
rad been in love more than once In fact,
1t had been said of him that his love affairs
were the only ones he had ever prosecuted
". tn any energy
Hopetoun Joined her. Her pale dress
gleamad in the moonlight, and her face and
hair were mysterious. divine.
I've come to say good-by," he said