Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-29

uix1s ana now was the test OF IL.
Wm you take my friendship from me,
as well as my-oh, I won't endure it!''
She had given him his hint In the midst
OF what seemed-her greatest wrath. His
frown persisted, but smile bent his lips
mr.. Dale" said he.I eft is hard to reason
with lady before another gentleman. I
was wrong to hid yen go. But will you
sqH h me to retire to that room again.
'.And." he went on, twill you excuse our
hostess presence for 4 whiler'
mo, won't 70 with YOU" cried Nell.
Nay. but Nelly, you WILL" said he. smil-
| ing now. Come, I'm old and mighty ugly
and Mr.. Dale Is a stfapping fellow. You
must be kind to the unfortunate, Nelly"
she was holding my hand still. The king
took hers. Very slowly and reluctantly she
| let him draw her away. 1 did what seemed
best to do sighed very heavily and plain
! lively and bowed In sad submission.
| his tone was kind.
They passed out together, and I, laughing,
yer ashamed to laugh, flung myself in a
| chair She would not keep him for herself
| alone; nay, as all the world knows, she
| made but drawn battle Of 1t with the
| French woman. but the disaster and utter
| defeat that had threatened her she had
averted: jealousy had achieved what love
| could not. He would not let her go now,
when another's arms seemed open for her.
| To this success had helped her. On my
| life, was glad to have helped her. But
| did not yet see how had helped my own
| cause.
| I was long IN the room alone, and though
the king had hidden me await his return,
he did not come again. Nen came alone
! laughing, radiant and triumphant. She
caught me by both hands and swiftly, sud-
| denly, before l knew kissed me on the
cheek. Nay, come, let me be honest. I
knew short moment before. but on my
honor could not avoid it courteously.
a va cho ind
desire, and you. Simon. are to seek him
| at Whitehall. He has forgiven you all your
sins. and-yes, he'll give you what favor
you ask He has pledged his word j.. to me-"
mo, no, not yet. Oh, that could see his
| face. Don't spare him, Simon. Tell him
| why, tell him all the truth-every word Of
| it, the stark, bare truth"
'How shall say it?''
"Why, that you love, and have ever
loved. and will ever love Mistress Barbara
Quinton, and that you love not, and never
| will love. and have never loved. no. nor
cared the price of straw, Tor Eleanor
Gwyn.
us that the whole TRUTH said I.
| She was holding my hands still. She
pressed them now and sighed lightly:
why, yes, it's the whole truth. Let 1t
be the whole truth, Simon. What matters
that a man once lived when he's dead, or
once loved when he loves no more!
yet won't tell him more than is true"
You'll be ashamed to say anything
else," she whispered, looking up In my
| face.
Now, by heaven. I'm not ashamed"
said I. and kissed her hand.
You're not?
mo, not a whit. I think should be
ashamed had my heart never strayed to
you"
'Ah, but you say strayed."
I made her no answer, but asked forgive
| ness with smile. She drew her hand
| sharply away. crying:
Go your ways. Simon Dale. go your
ways. Go to your Barbara and your
Hatchstead. and your dullness and your
righteousness"
I'VE part in kindness?" urged.
For moment L thought she would an
swer peevishly, but the mood passed. and
reply: ~
AYE; in all Ming kindness me-, =. simon, . and
why, say, simon, that even a severe gen.
tleman such as you are once found some
good in Nelly. VIM you say that for me?'
NAY, I care not What you say" she
burst out. laughing again. "Begone. be-
gone. I swore to the. king that I would
speak but dozen words to you. Begone."
few to me suddenly. ias If to speak. but
hesitated: waited 'fPr her. At last she
spoke, with eyes averted. and an unaccus-
toned embarrassment in her air. rs.
Ill you re HOl aSiiidH6U 10 speak. my
! name to Mistress Barbara, tell her I wish
he her vel, an and Pray her to think as kindly
she has full Cause, to think kindly"
| said I. s'1sd = IL ~ 80 - = .
And viii. therefore. think unkindly. ST.
mon, bid you BECOME" 49,
She held out her hand to me and kissed
| 1t again. "a
This time we part for good and ALL" said
She I've loved you and I'veshated you,
! and have nearly loved you. But it's moth
| ing to be loved by me, who love all the
/ world -
I Nay, it's something" said I. Fare you
| WELL" y. =.
passed out. but turned to find her eyes
on me. She was laughing, and nodding her
I head, swaying to and fro on her feet as
her manner was. she blew me kiss from
| her lips. So went, and my life knew her
no mere.
But when the strict rail on sinners. I
guard my tongue for the sake of Nelly and
the last kiss she gave me on my cheek.