Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-29

word about there being anything to tell.
There's a secret. What Is it?''
He was glad to tell 1t. He had carried
his burden long enough.
We've all made great blunder. Harry
is Lord Tristram after all.
Nina stood silent for moment. ON!
she gasped. And he's married Cecily
without telling herr
That's what he has done, i regret to
say And I take it that he means to tell
her tonight
Nina sank into chair. What will she
dor she murmured What will she dor
There ,o WAS aaa al SIR or Rahaop
Edges death. His brother knew It III
tell you the details, IL you like. But that
the end and the sum of it. AS to why ne
didn't tell-er-his wife sooner, perhaps
you know better than L.
"Yes, know that" she said. And then
1t was most inconsiderate, most paintul 10
Mr.. Neeld-she began to cry. Unable TO
bear this climax of excitement coming on
top of her two days emotion, she sobpeo
moaned what win happen! oh, Mr..
Neeld And I know he'll expect me to De
calm and-and to carry it ofr-and be COM
posed. How can I be?''
Perhaps a glass of sherry?" was Mr..
Neeld's not unreasonable suggestion.
No. the old brown would not serve here
But without its aid sudden change came
over Nina. She sprang to her feet and ieft
the tears to roll down her cheeks INTENDED
What splendid thing to do! Oh. how
like Harry! And it's to be settled tonight!
What can we do to make 1t go right?
II intend to take no responsibility at all,
protested Neeld. I'm here to speak to the
facts if I'm wanted. but
"Oh, bother the facts! What are we to
gave another sob "oh, I'm an idiot!'' she
Mr. Neeld?"
He shrugged his shoulders peevishly.
HarS ,trif foil lin
Il see. Yes, If shelf she doesn't take
it properly he'll go away again, and I'm to
be ready to stay here
Another change in the barometer came
in a flash. But she can't help being Lady
Tristram now!'
It's all a most unjustihable proceeding
He tricks the girl
Yes. He had to. That was the only
chance. If he'd told her before"
But, isn't she in love with him?'
"Oh, you don't know the Tristrams! Oh,
every kind and degree of emotion, Nina
seemed to find nothing to do.
And I'm bound to say that I consider
our position most embarrassing Mr..
Neeld spoke with some warmth, with some
excuse, too. perhaps To welcome a newly
married couple home may be thought al
ways to require some tact; when 1t is
toss-up whether they will not part again
forever under your very eyes the situation
is not improved.
I'VE must treat 1t as a mere trif1e," the
Imp announced, fixing on the thing which
above all others she could not achieve.
Yet her manner was so confident that
Neeld gasped.
and if that doesn't do, we must tell her
that the happiness of her whole life de-
ponds on what she does tonight" Variety
of treatment was evidently not to be lack
ing.
Il intend to take no responsibility of any
kind. He's got himself into scrape. Let
him get out of it, persisted Neeld
Il thought you We're his friend
Il may be excused if L consider the lady
a little, too.
4 suppose | don't care for Cecily? Do
you mean that, Mr.. Neeld?"
My dear friend. need We quarrel, too?"
Don't be stupid. Who's quarreing? l
never knew anybody so useless as you are.
talk about responsibilities She was rang
ing about again, diminutve tiger of I'M
usually active habits.
She had wandered round the room again.
She burst out, 'Oh, but it's something to
see the end of it,
That was his feeling too, however he
| might rebuke himself for it. Human life at
first hand had not been too plentiful with
him. The Imp's excitement infected him.
And he's back here after ALL" she cried.
AT least-heavens they'll be here directly
Mr.. Neeld.''
Yes. it's past - said he.
Come into the garden. Well wait for
| them on the bridge" She turned to him as
they passed through the hall. "Wouldn t
you ike something OF this sort to happen
to you?" she asked.
No. He was perturbed enough as a spec
tator. He would not have been himself en-
gagged in the play.
why isn't everybody here?" she de-
manded, with laugh that was again nerv-
Gus and almost hysterical. why isn't Ad-
die Tristram here? All. and your old Chol-
derton?'
"Hark; hear wheels on the road" said
Nina looked hard at him. "She shall do
| right" she said, land Harry shall not go. -
Surely they'll make the best Of "a
II can't bear it," whispered Nina.
He'll expect you to be calm and CON-
posed" Neeld reminded her.
Then give me cigarette" she implored,
despairingly.
II not smoker" said Mr. Neeld.
''Oh. you really are the very last man!
| Well, come on the bridge" groaned Nina
| They waited on the bridge, and the
| wheels drew near. They spoke no more
| They had found nothing to do. They could
| only wait. A fly came down the road
There they sat, side by side. Cecily was
| leaning forward, her eyes were eager, and
| there was bright touch of color on her
cheeks. Harry leaned back looking at her
not at Blent. He wore quiet smile, his
air was very calm. He saw Nina and
| Neeld and waved his hand to them The
| fly stopped opposite the bridge. He jumped
out and assisted Cecily to alight. In a
| moment she was in Minas arms The next
she recognized Neeld's presence with a lit
tie cry of surprise. At loss to account
| for himself, the old man stood there in en-
| barrassed wretchedness.
II want you to wait" said Harry to the
| driver. Put up in the stables, and they'll
| give you something to eat. You must wait
| until send you word"
Wait? Why is he to walt, Harry" ask
| ed Cecly. Her tone was gay; she was
| overlooking with joy and merriment
Who's going away? Oh, is it you. Mr..
| Need?"
II have a trap from Mr.. Ivers," he
! stammered.
Il may want to send a message" Harry
explained. kind of you to come, Mr.
| Neeld.'
II must wish you JOY" said Mr. Neeld,
| taking refuge in conventionality
We've had capital journey down,
| haven't we. Cecily? And I'm awfully
! hungry. What time is it?''
| Mason was rubbing his hands in the
| doorway.
Dinners ordered at 8, SIR" said he.
And it's half past seven now. Just time
| to wash our hands. No dress tonight, you
know
I'll go to my room," said Cecily. "WIl
you come with me- Nina"
glance from Harry made the Imp ex-
n 10 Nv