Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-15

blouse and a very big hat, who was eating
risotto and drinking lager beer. She
sumed an air of exaggerated primness and
gentility. keeping her eyes down toward
her plate, and putting very small quantities
into her mouth at a time. Glad of distrac
ton. Harry watched her with amusement.
At last she glanced up stealthily.
"A fine evening" he said, as he started
on his chop.
Very seasonable," she began, in a mine
ing tone. but suddenly she broke off, to ex-
claim in a voice and accent more natural
and spontaneous. Good gracious, I've seen
you before haven't r."
I'm not aware that I ever had the
honor" said Harry.
We'll, 1 know your face, anyhow She
was looking at him and searching her
memory. You're not at the halls" are
you?"
NO. I'm not at the halls"
We'll. do know your face. Why. yes.
I've seen your face in the papers. 1 shall
get it in a minute now. Don't you tell me.
She studied him with determination. Harry
ate away in contented amusement. Yes,
you're the man who-why, yes, you're Iris
tram!'
That's right. I'm Tristram."
We'll, to think of that! Meeting you!
Well. l shall have something to tell the
girls. Why, friend of mine wrote down
to the country, special, for your photo
THAT must have proved a disappoint-
ment, I'm afraid. The romance was better
than the hero
You may say romance" she conceded
heartily. ITO be a lord and" She leaned
forward. Il say, how do you get your liv-
ing now?"
Gone into the building trade" he an
swered.
You surprise me"' The observation was
evidently meant to be extremely civil. But
there. it isn't SO much what your job is as
having some job. That's what say"
Il wish l always said and thought things
as sensible" and he took courage to offer
her another glass of lager. She accepted
with slight recrudesence Of primness, but
her eyes did not leave him now. Il never
her glass WELL here's luck to you, sir!
(He had been lord. even If he were now
builder) You did the straight thing in
the end
"What?" asked Harry, little startled.
We'll. some did say as you'd known 1t all
along. Oh. don't say so. Some did"
Harry began to laugh. 'It doesn't mat
ter. does it, If 1 did the straight thing in
I'm sure as 1 shouldn't blame you If
you had been bit tempted. I know what
that is. Well. sir. I'll say good evening"
Good evening, miss, and thank you very
His manner had it's old touch Of loneliness.
His friends criticised that sometimes; this
young lady evidently approved.
You've no cause to thank me-" said she
with an admiring look.
Yes. l have. AS 1t happened, I believe
wanted somebody to remind me that I
I had done the straight thing in the end. and
I'm much obliged to you for doing it,
We'll. shall have something to tell the
girls" she said again in wondering tones.
as she nodded to him and turned slowly
away.
Harry was comforted. The stress of his
pain was past. He sat on over his simple
meal in a leisurely, comfortable fashion.
He gained his rooms. A letter lay wait
ing for him on the table He opened 1t
and found that it was from Nina Zabriska.
I'VE are back here she wrote. II am
staying at Blent till my uncle comes down.
l must write and say goodbye to you. !
| merely by chance. 1 am very unhappy
about 1t all. but with two people like Ce-
| CITY and you nothing else could have hap
pened see that now. and I'm not going
| to try to interfere any more. I shant ask
you to forgive me for interfering, because
you've made the results quite enough pun
ishment for anything I did wrong And
now Cecily goes about looking just like you
hard and proud and grim; and she's be-
gun to move things about and alter ar
rangements at Blent. That's what brings
1T home to me most Of all. CAnd to me. ;
interposed Harry. as he rea0 If I was
| the sort Of woman you think me- I should
| go on writing to you. But / shan't write
again. am going to stay at Merton
through the winter. and since you wont
Long long time time anyhow. Oh, you Tristrams!
Poor little ImpG' said Harry. 'She's
right. It's the end of everything" He
paused and looked round. Except Of
these rooms-and my work-and. well, life
| at large. you know" He laughed in the
sudden realization Of how much was left
after there was end of all-life to be
| lived. work to be done, enjoyments to be
won.
But don't believe he said to himself,
slowly smiling. that I should ever have
| come to understand that or to fulfill it un-
| less l had-what did the girl say?-done
out of Blent Well, old Blent, goodbye"
He crumpled up Mina's letter and flung 1t
! into the CRATE.
The maid servant opened the door, 1.-TWO
| gentlemen to see you. SIR" she said.
"Oh. say I'm busy" ne began.
I'VE must see you. please" insisted Mr..
Jenkinson Neeld with unusual flrmness Ha