Evening star., 1898-10-22

haven't deserved any of the kind words
that were said before the day was done.
But never mind about me just now; tell me
how you got on. Wasn't it your visiting
day? did any one call?''
so you were thinking about me in all
your troubles.-his wife put her arm
round Hatchards neck-"and you We're
afraid | should be deserted because you
were victimized by those Spectators! Now
confess
well, you know, Amy, society is not
very merciful, and | think women are the
crueiest Of all " hat hits a man, if he
is unfortunate, worse, is that
his poor wife is made to suffer. If her hus-
band has done l, mean has acted
foolishly, well, say, has lost money. MS
wife is neglected and cut and made to feel
miserable It's beastly shame, and 1
was afraid that
Il would be sitting all alone today be
cause we are poor. Do you know, Tom, |
was just tiny bit nervous, too, although
l would not have told you this morning
for worlds. And now l have splendid news
to give you; our friends are true as
steel. Now answer a question, Tom, to SEE
whether you and l agree about the diff
ference between acquaintances and friends.
Mention the names of the three families
You would expect to stand by US in our
trial.
The oxleys. OF course, wife, and-I
would have said the BeaZleys, and, let me
see. yes the Macfarlanes, although their
manner doesn't allow them to show what
they feel: am l right"
To a man (and woman). they all called
tCday-the women, l mean: l daresay the
men called on you. And they all said the
incest things, and what is best, they said
| the incest things about you; yes, they lid,
and If you doubt my word we shall sepac
ate-do you really think l would chaf to-
day?
sit there. just where 1 can lay my
head on your shoulder, and 1 shall describe
everything 1t was go when ! began to
watch the clock and wonder whether any
Cne would come; have other people had the
same feeling? About a quarter tC 3 the
! bell rang. and my heart beat; who would it
| be? 1t was nothing-a tax paper. and be
gan to think what | would have done if
the same thing mad happened 10 one Of our
friends-how 1 would have simply rushed
along and been in the house the first de-
cent minute after lunch, and how !
would"
Il know you would. Pet. and that is why
they did it to you. Well, drive on
Exactly at eight minutes to 2-oh, L
know the time today without nlistakc-thc
door opened, and in came Mrs. Macfarlane,
and do you know what she did?"
She didn't" cried Hatchard, not kissed
you?"
Yes she did. and a real kiss: ara she
took ME in her arms, and / saw tears H.
her eyes and-and 1 cried for
minute: / couldn't help t. and it was quite
a comfort She hadn't said a word al this
time. and that was Just right, wasn't it?"
I'm never say word against the Scots
manner again" said Tom. huskiy.
But she spoke quite beautifully after
ward. and told me of some ais no one
knows which they had ten years ago, and
how they had never loved one another SO
much before. When reticent people give
you their confidence ii touches your heart,
and We used to think her voice harsh, and
/ to laugh at her accent"
God forgive me-" said Thomas; I'm
| fool"
she said: You know how quiet Ronald
| is and how he hardly ever gets enthusiasts
| tic. Well. ii would have done you good 20
| have heard him speak about Mr.. Hatchard
| this morning. He said
Don't tell me, Amy-it hurts.
| but I'm grateful. all the same and will
never forget it. And who came next?'
Mrs. Oxley: and what do you think? We
| are TO have their house a Hoylake for Au-
| gust; so the chicks will have their holiday.
| Mr.. Oxley has been quite cast down. she
! says about you. for he has such a re-
| spect-"
| It's good of them 10 think about the
| children. but never mind about me-"
| You are very unfeeling. Tom to stop me
| at the best bits when had saved them up
| and committed them to memory; perhaps
| you would get vain, however. and become
| quite superior. What do you think of your
kindness and your generosity and your
| popularity and your 'straightness? You
| are shivering: are you cold?"
No. no: but you haven't told me II Mrs.
| BeaZley was Kind to you; did she call be-
| tween and So
! Yes how did you know the hour?'
| "Oh. / guessed because she -
| was last wasn't she?'
She apoiogized for being so late: indeed,
| she was afraid that she might not get
| round at all; bat I'm so glad she came for
| no was more glowing about YOU
| saw, of course, that she was just repeating
| MIR. Beazley's opinion. for every one can
1 see how he admires-"
| Tom, you are very ungrateful, and for