Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-22
Hope
- sSETSS

Neeld could maintain no interest in the
conversation. 1t had to proceed all along
on baseless presumption. to deal with
state of things which did not exist What
might be wise for Harry-Harry Nothing
at-all-might be unwise for Trstram of
Blent, and conversely
Il must leave it to him." liver concluded
But l shall tell him that hope he won't
CO. He's got his way in the world 20 make
nrst. He can try politics later on if he
No doubt you're right" murmured old
Neeld. both uneasy and uninterested. He
was feeling something of what he had ex-
perienced once before; he knew the truth,
ana ne mad to keep his friend in the dark.
In those earlier days he had one confidant,
one accomplice, in Nina Zabriska. The
heavy secret was all his own to carry now.
AS a consequence of his preoccupation
jamie lyer found him rather unsympathetic
and with her usual candor she told him so.
You don't really appreciate Bob" said
she. Nobody quite knows him except me.
L didn't use to. but now l know what a
strong character he has"
unwontedly cynical thoughts rose in old
Mr. Neeld. Had he come down to Fair
holme to listen to the platitudes of virtu-
Gus love?
"And it's such comfort to have a man
one can lean upon" jamie pursued, looking.
however, admirably capable of standing
without extraneous support.
There it was again, She'd be calling him
her master next-as the heroine does in
the third act. to unfailing applause. What
was all this to ears that listened for a
whisper of Harry Tristram?
The most delightful thing is" jamie pur-
sued, that our marriage is to make no
change at all in his way of life We're go
ing to live at Mingham just as he has lived
all his life-a real country life on farm!'
There was no hint that other ideals of ex-
istence had ever possessed allurng
charm; the high life with Harry, the broad
and cosmopolitan life with the major
where were they? I've insisted on it, the
thing I've had n
Bob was being transmogrified into man
of iron. if not of blood. Vainly Mr.. Neeld
consulted his memories.
And Mingham's so bound up with 1t ALL
I used to go there with Nina Zabriska"
She smiled in retrospect; it would have
been pardonable If Neeld had smiled. too
Il haven't seen her for ever so long"
night" All. If he might give just the
barest hint to Nina now!
Bob isn't particularly fond of her. you
see, so we don't meet much now. He thinks
she's rather spiteful."
Not at ALL said Neeld. almost sharply,
shes a very intelligent woman"
'Oh, yes, Intelligent" She said no more.
If people did not agree with Boutwell,,
there II was.
The evening came-Neeld had been i'm
patient for it-and they drove over to Blent,
where Bob was to meet them.
It's a fine place for a girl to have" said
liver. stirred to sudden sense of the beau
ty of the old house as it came into view.
They We're all silent for a moment Such
a place to have such place to lose!
Neeld heard Mrs. liver signing in her good
natured, motherly fashion. But still Harry
was not mentioned.
And if they had business man-with
his head on his shoulders-to manage the
estate. it'd be worth half as much again"
This time it was liver who sighed; the idea
of anything not having all the money made
out of it that could be made offended his
instincts
She'll have a husband, dear" his wife
reminded him.
Il wonder if Bob'n get there before we
do said jamie. with the air of starting a
subject of real interest in lieu of continu-
ing idle talk.
The evening was hot and the hall door
of Blent stood open. Cecily was sitting in
the hall, and came out to greet them She
seemed to Need to complete the picture as
she stood there in her young fairness gra-
ciOusly welcoming her guests. She was
pale, but wore gay air. and did the hon
ors with natural dignity. No sign Of
strangeness to the place, and no embar-
rasSment were visible.
"Oh my dear. how you remind me of
Lady Tristram," good Mrs. liver broke out
Need pressed the girls hand with a grip
that she noticed; she looked at him in a
sort of question, and for moment flushed
a little.
It's very kind of you to come she said
to him. softly.
How are you Mr.. Neeld?" The INN
had suddenly darted out from somewhere
and was offering her hand. I'm staying
here. you know" And in a whisper she
added That young man of JAMES has
been here quarter of hour and Cecily
wasn't dressed. and I've had to talk to
him. oh. dear She had her hand on his
arm and drew him apart Amy news of
Harry Trstram? she whispered
"Er-no-none.
Her quick eye looked at him in suspicion:
he had hesitated little.
You've seen him. she asked.
Just casually. Nine. Zabriska"
She turned away with peevish little
pout. Then you're not very interesting"
she seemed to say. But Neeld forgave her.
she had asked him about Harry He could
forgive more easily because he had delud-
ed her.
of the dining room now, and Cecily's place
was under 1t.
My first dinner party Although it's a
small one, she said to Iver as she sat
ne first at Blent"
The first anywhere-actualIyr' she
laughed, and then grew thoughtful for a
moment. glancing out into the dark and
listening TO the flap of bats wings
against the window.
You'll have plenty now" said he, as he
watched her admiringly. He forgot. man
that he was. that girls do not find perma-
nent happiness in dinner parties
1t was evident that Neeld ought never to
have come to Blent that evening For tho
talk was of futures, and. out of Difference
to the young hostess even more of hers than
OF the engaged couples. CeciIy opened
more topics ana Sne herself was willing and
seemed even eager to discuss them She
fell in with Mrs. 1vers suggestion that she
ought to be center of good works in
the district, and in pursuance of this idea
should accept the position of patron to
Miss Swinkertons complicated scheme of
benevolence. She agreed with liver that
the affairs of the estate probably wanted
overhauling, and that a canabIe mon
should be engaged for the task, even at
some expense. She was, in a word, yery
much the proprietor. 1t was difficult for
Neeld to sit and hear all this. And oppo-
slte TO him sat Nina Zabriska rather silent
and demure, but losing no chance of re-
minding' him by stealthy glance that this
ordinary talk covered remarkable situa-
tomas. indeed it did. but not of precise
nature that Nina supposed.
w hen dessert on the table Iver true
10 mis- habits and traditions, felt that it
was the occasion for few friendly in
formal words: the birthday and the ma
Jority OF young Lady Tristram demanded
SO much recognition. Admirably concise
ana simple iii ordinary conversation he
became, like so many of his countrymen
rather heavy and pompous when he got
on his legs. Yet he made what everybody
except Nina Zabriska considered a very