Evening star., 1899-06-24

me, awes me, my tongue refuses to speak.
Nor can 1 write; words are cold, dull
things. Besides
The women were in the hall now, and
Philisamay continued in a lower tone, but
with equal feeling:
Tomorrow she leaves here; this was my
last chance, and IL have thrown it away.
MIR. Derric." Mrs Hughlet said from
the doorway, pray come and tell use what
the Latin in this script over the fireplace
means? We're having such a dispute
Philisamay turned to the door.
It's all up he said. over his shoulder
to the men. T'-and he went nearer to the
door.
Look here" said Alton, quickly. IF
her2''
No, no. Philsamay whispered back. 'I
don't dare risk it. II tell you l get
speeches. before her when l try to talk
of it, Coming, Mrs. Hughlet," and he
went into the hall.
The Vandals looked at each other.
- He's hard hit" Alton said, hard hit
She goes tomorrow and it's his last chance
He's been a good chief and he's d good fell
low. Fellows. there's only one way If he
cannot propose for himself, we must pro-
pose for him.
the men locked doubtful and the silence
was not one of approval Finally Joyce
spoke up
It's deuced awkward, it's the most i'm
pertinent thing l ever heard Of" he said
pulling his mustache he spoke. She's
here as our guest, and we shouldn't subject
her TO anything so embarrassing. It'll be
falrly bad if she doesn't love him hut it'u
be infinitely worse if she does Has she
got TO confess to twenty-three asses like
US that she loves man who can't do his
own proposing?"
Besides" spoke up another, suppose we
mess the whole affair. Suppose she gets
mad and We ruin Phil's chance?"
~ ms under our own roof, too" Joyce
went on. We owe her protection. I'm
afraid it won't go, Alton"
on, OF course" Alton said, bitterly. Put
yourselves on the safe side. Why need il
be SO awful? 1t isn't as if Phil knew any
him so that he can't talk to her of il and
we want to help"
The curtains were parting, Eugene was
coming.
meS'' "'i-'ieieu Are you with
A murmur of assent. Eugenie had parted
the curtains. f
"A secret confab?'' she laughed. do in
| terfere? Shall 1 go back? You look lust like
consDirators on the stage"
she stood by the doorway and turned a
LiiusLihg lace toward them. She had her
hand. III iier
NO no, Joyce answere quickly. Come
IN; slt down here. Let US enjoy you. PhiTs
talking Latin script that means he 1ron,t
finish for an hour" 0ii
he pulled a big chair up to the fire and
Patted the cushions invitingly. Eugene sat
down ioosenins her wraps.
les, she said, hes a marvellous sneak
| er, isn't he? He's she broke off n,,th
laugh and leaned back in the chair She
looked pale and tired and kept moving her
| fan before her face
Hes great" Alton said enthusia sticaIlv
ne $ ne broke off vaguely as Eu-
| genie had, and laughed lamely Outside
| the regular rise and fall of Phil;sa rna,,s
voice could be heard. and the calculations
OF the women He'll hold 'em," Alton
| thought.
The men had gathered around the fire
| IN a semi-circle. Eugenie smiled at them
secretly the compact group made her ner-
| vous.
| grave? Has anything happened?" She half
| rose from her chair and looked around as
| if for aid.
No. no." said Alton, penitently. moth
| ing. on my honor. We were'-with a burst
| of admiration-"we were thinking how L
| beg your pardon. Miss Hughlet, I'm sure,
| but you make men,
| Miss Hughlet leaned back
| "Of course" she said hurriedly, then
| more colleetedly. I'VE have had such a
| lovely evening
Alton drew in his breath. and gave q
! look from the corner of his eye at the men;
satisfied by the set of faces he went on:
Miss Hughlet, want to begin back
| wards, ask your pardon first, and offend
| afterward. We know you are under our
! roof, but you go away tomorrow and we
want to ask a favor. It's our only chance
you see. Don't think that we forget that
we are your hosts As soon as / say any,
| thing you don't like, just raise your hand
| and I'll stop. and 1t shall be dead from
that second on. Now may / speak?"
| Miss Hughlet glanced at the mems seri-
Gus faces and smiled.