Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-25

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| and jug and turned to watch. Then l per-
| celVed what went on; white feet were WISH
bic in the shallow water twinkling in and
| out as the tide rolled out and back
| Il had best employ myself in making
| breakfast ready" said I, turning my back
| But she called out to me again, saying how
| delightful was the cool water So I looked
ana saw her gay and merry. Her hat was
IN her hand now, and her hair blew free in
I the breeze. She had given herself up to the
! JOY OF the moment l rejoiced in a feeling
| which could not share. The rebound from
| the strain of the night left me sad and APP
| prehenslve. l sat down and rested my head
on my hands. waiting till she came back.
| When she came she would not take the
food I offered her, but stood a moment
looking at me with puzzled eyes before she
| seated herself near.
| You're sad.' she said, almost as though
| in accusation.
| Gould I be otherwise, Mistress Bar
bara" asked. Were in some danger,
and what's worse, we've hardly penny"
| But We've escaped the greatest peril -
she reminded me.
| True, for the moment
| "We-you won't be married tonight" she
| laughed, with rising color, and turning
away as though tuft of rank grass By her
| had caught her attention, and for some
| hidden reason much deserved it.
| BY Gods help We've come out of that
| snare, said l, gravely.
She said nothing for moment or two.
| Then she turned to me again, asking:
IF your friend furnishes money, can We
reach London in two days."
I'm sorry, l answered, but the journey
| will need nearer three. unless we travel at
the kings pace or the Duke of Mon
mouths"
You needn't come all the way with me.
Set me safe on the road and go where your
| business calls you"
For what crime is this punishment" 1
asked, with a smile.
No, I'm serious. I'm not seeking COM
pliment from you. l see that you're sad.
You have been very kind to me, Simon.
You risked life and liberty to save me-
We'll, who could do less? Besides, 1 had
given my promise to my lord, your father"
She made no reply, and 1, desiring to
warn her against every danger, related
what had passed at the cottage, emitting
only Monmouth's loud-mouthed threats
against myself. At last moved by some
impulse OF curiosity rather than anything
higher, / repeated how the duke had said
that, sooner than lose her altogether he
would have married her. and how my Lord
Carford had been still his humble servant
in this project as in any other. She flushed
again as she heard me and plucked the tuft
of grass.
Indeed I said, 81 believe his grace
spoke no more than the truth. I've never
seen a man more in love-
And you know we'll what it is to be in
love, don't you?"
VERY well,"I answered calmly, although I
thought that the taunt might have been
SpdIeu Therefore IL may We'll be thdt
some day l shall kiss the hand of your
grace the Duchess
You think desire it?" she asked.
Il think that most ladies would
Il don't desire it," She sprang up and
stamped her foot on the ground, crying
again, Simon, l do not desire it. / wouldn t
be his wife. You smile! You don't believe
me?"
NO offer is refused until it is made -
said |, and with bow that asked permits
sion | took drauSht of the ale.
She looked at me in high anger, her cheek
suffuSed with underlying red and her dark
eyes sparkling.
Il wish YOU hadn't saved me- she said
in a fury.
That we had gone forward to Caiaiso"
asked, maliciously.
Sir, you're inSoient.' She flung the re-
| proof at me like stone from catapult
But then she repeated. Il wouldn't be his
wife,
We'll. then. you wouldn't" said L. set
ting down the jug and rising. How shall
We pass the day? For mustn't go TO
Dover till nightfall.''
Il must be all day here with you?" she
cried in visible CONSERVATION.
You must be all day here, but you
needn't be with me. I'll so down to the
beach. l shall be within hail, if need arise,
and you can rest here alone
Thank you, Simon she answered with
most sudden and wonderful meekness.
Without more l took my way to the sea-
shore and lay down on the sun-warmed
shinSle. Being very weak and without
sleep now for thirty-siX hours, soon closed
my eyes, keeping the pistol ready by my
side. l slept peacefully and without Il
dream. The sun was high in heaven when,
with yawn and a stretching of my limbs,
l awoke. l heard, as l opened my eyes, a
little rusting of somebody moving, and
my hand flew to the butt of my pistol. But
when l looked round l Barbara only.
She was sitting a little way behind ME,
looking out over the sea. Feeling my gaze
she looked round.
Il grew afraid, left all alone" she said
in timid voice.
Alas, / snored when l should have been
on guard!' l exclaimed.
You Didn't snore,' she cried. II mean
not in the last few moments. l had only
just come near you. I'm afraid l spoke I'M
kindly to you"
Il hadn't given thought to it, l has
tened to assure her.
You were Indifferent to what 1 said.'
she cried.
l rose to my feet and made her bow of
mock ceremony My rest had put me in
heart again, and l was in a mood to be
merry.
NAY, madame said I, you know that
1 am your devoted servant. and that all 1
have in the world is held at your disposal"
She looked sideways at me, then at the sea
again.
by heavens, it's true" I cried. "Au 1
have is yours. Sect l took out my prec-
ious guinea and bending on my knee, with
uncovered head. presented it to Mistress
Barbara.
d. She turned her eyes down to it and sat re-
garding it for a moment.
It's all l have, but it's yours said I,
most humbly.
Miner
Most heartily"
She lifted it from my palm with finger
and thumb very daintily, and before knew
what she was doing, or could have moved
to hinder her, if l had the mind she raised
her arm over her head, and with all her
strength flung the guinea into the spark
ling waves.
Heaven help u.s." cried.
at was mine That's what chose to do
with it," said Barbara
(To be continued)
The Piper at Dargaf.
From the London Times.
Mr.. A. C. Andos writes from Sydenham: