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


Most assuredly. Am I man to drown
with half a miles swimming in smooth wa
ter?" Again laughed.
She leaned forward and spoke In an agi-
| tated voice, yet imperiously:
Tell me the truth Were you indeed I'm
danger and distress?"
Not a whit" said I. composedly. But
you wouldn't wait for me-
Slowly came her net question.
1T was trick. them"
And crowned with great success" said l.
"All trick?''
Throughout" | answered.
Her face grew set and rigid, and II it
might be, yet paler than before I waited
for her to speak. but she said nothing She
drew away the cloak that she had offered
me, and wrapping it about her shoulders
Withdrew to the stern of the boat. | took
her place and laid hold of the oars
whats your pleasure now, madam"
asked.
What you will" she said, briefly.
L looked at her. She met my gaze with a
steady regard. had expected scorn, but
found grief and hurt. Accused by the
sight. wrapped myself in cold fppancy.
There is small CHOICE said /. The
beach Is there, and that We have found not
pleasant. Calais is yonder, where certainly
we must not go. To Dover then? Evening
rails, and If we go gently 1t will be dark
before we reach the town.
Where you will. / care not " said Bar
bara. and she folded her cloak so about her
| face that l could see little more of her than
| her eyes and her brows. Here at length
was my triumph. AS sweet such joys
| are, malice Is their fount and they smack
| of its bitterness. Had followed my heart
L would have prayed her pardon. sore
spirit had impelled her; my revenge lacked
Justice Yet would not abase myself, be-
ing now In my turn sore and therefore OBJ
stinate. With slow strokes | propelled the
| boat toward Dover town.
For half an hour l rowed dusk fell, and
l saw the lights of Dover. gentler mood
/ tod
| leaning forward. said to Barbara:
Yet l must thank you. Had 1 been In
peril you would have saved me-
No answer came.
Il preceived that you were moved nv nv
| fancied danger" l persisted.
! Then she spoke. clearly. calmly and
| cOldly:
! Il wouldn't have a dog drown under my
| eyes" said she. 1.-The spectacle is pain
| full
l performed such bow as could sitting
| there, ana took up my oars again. l had
made my approach. II such were the well
| rowed slowly on, then lay on my oars q
while. waiting for darkness to fall. The
| night came misty again and chill. i grew
cold as l waited (my clothes were but half
! dry) and would gladly have thumped my
| self with my hands. But / should have
| seemed to ask pity of the statue that sat
| there. enveloped in the cloak, with closed
eyes, and pale, unmoved face. Suddenly
| she spoke:
Are you cold, sir?"
| ''Cold? 1 am somewhat everheated with
| rowing, madam" l answered. But, pray
| you, wrap your cloak closer round you"
II am very well. l thank you, SIR"
Yet. cold l was, and bitterly. Moreover,
| vas hungry and somewhat faint. Was
| Barbara hungry? / dared not ask her
lest she should find fresh mockery in
| the question.
| When I ventured to beach the boat n
little way out of Dover 1t was quite dark,
beirg hard on 10 o'clock. / offered Bar
bara my hand to alight, but she passed
| 1t by unnoticed. Leaving the boat to its
! fate we walked toward the town.
| Where are you taking me?" asked Bar
| bara.
| ITO the one person who can serve u.s."
| l answered. We'll your face, and 1t would
be Wen that we shouldn't speak loud"
Il have no desire to speak at ALL" said
| Barbara.
| l would not tell her whittier she went.
| Had We been friends. to bring her there
would have taxed my persuasion to the full.
| as our AFFAIRS stood. ! knew she would
| lie the night In the street before she would
CO. But II got her to the house I could
| keep her. But would she reach the house !?
| She walked very YEARLY, faltering in her
| step and stumbling over every loose stone
| l put out my arm to save her once. but
| she drew away from 1t, as though I had
| sought to strike her.
At last We came to the narrow alIev
Making sign to Barbara turned down It
The house was in front of me; all was
| quiet: we had escaped detection Why
| who should look for US? We were at Calais
| with King Louis; at Calais where we were
| to be married!
! Looking at the house found the upper