Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-16
CHAPTER ".
She Could an She Would.

In spite of Mrs. Iver's secret opinion
that people with strange names were
likely to be strange themselves, an &C
quaintance was soon made between Fair
holme and Merton lodge. Her family was
against Mrs. liver; her husband was bound
lessly hospitable. jamie was very sociable
Mr.. liver began to teach the major to play
golf. jamie took Nina Zabriska out driv-
ing in the highest dogcart on the country
side; they would go along the road by the
river and get out perhaps for a wander by
the pool, or even drive higher up the val
ley and demand tea from Bob Broadley at
his pleasant little place. half farm. half
manor house, at Mingham. three miles
above the pool. Matters moved so quick
that Nina understood in a week why jamie
found it pleasant to have a companion I'M
der whose aegiS she could drop in at Ming
ham; in little more than fortnight she
began to understand why her youthful
uncle the major was very young now
grunted unsympathettcally when she OBJ
served that the road to Mingham was the
prettiest in the neighborhood. The Imp
was accommodating other peoples secrets,
and was accordingly In a state of high
satisfaction.
The situation developed fast: and for the
time at least JAMIE liver was heroine and
held the center Of the stage. A chance of
that state Of comfort which was his re-
manning and modest ambition had opened
before the major-and the possibility of
sharing it with a congenial partner; the
major wasted no time in opening his cam
paign. Overtures from Blent, more stately,
but none the less prompt, showed that
Harry Tristram had not spoken idly to his
mother. And what about Bob BrOadley?
He seemed to be out of the running. and
indeed to have little inclination, or not
enough courage, to press forward. Nina
was puzzled. She began to observe the
L., asrl> I~oIl
was for Harry, she thought, though he
maintained a dignifed show Of indiffer-
ence; Mrs. 1ver-the miraculous occurring
in a fortnight, as it often does-was at
least very much taken with the major.
Bob Broadley had no friend, unless in
jamie herself. And jamie was inscrutable
by virtue of an open pleasure In the at
tention of all the gentlemen and an obvious
Discrimination to devote herself exclusively
to any one Of them. She could not f1irt
with Harry Tristan because he had nc
knowledge of the art, but she accepted his
significant civilities. She did flirt with the
major, who had many years experience OF
the pastime. And she was kind to Bob
Broadley, going to see him, as has been
said, sending him invitations, and seeming
in some way to be fighting against his own
was well begun. But it is hard to help q
man who will not help himself; on the
/, other hand, 1t is said to be amusing some
times.
Harry appearing Unexpectedly as the rest
were at tea on the lawn. This was his
first meeting with the major. AS he greet
ed that gentleman even more, when he
shook hands with Bob, there was a touch
of regality in his manner; the reserve was
prominent and his prerogative was claim
ed; very soon he carried JAMIE off for q
solitary walk in the strawberries Nina en-.
joyed her uncle's frown, and chafed al
Bob's self-effacement; he had been talking
to jamie when Harry calmly took her
away. The pair were gone half an hour
and conversation tagged. They reappeared
insolently calm, and sat down side by side
The major walked across and took a vacant
seat on the other side Of JAMIE. The slight
est look OF surprise showed on Harry iris
trans face. A duel began. Duplay had
readiness, suavity, yolubility, a. trick OF
fattering Difference; on Harry's side were
stronger suggestion of power, and an as
sumption, rather attractive, that he must
be listened to. jamie liked this air of his
even while she resented 1t; here, in his own
county at least, a Tristram of Blent was
somebody. Bob Broadley was listening to
lver's views on local affairs: he was not in
the fight at all, but he was covertly watch.
ing 1t. The fortune Of battle seemed to in.
out of the talk for minutes together More
for fun than from loyalty to her kinsman
Nina rose and walked over to Harry,
DO take me to see the greenhouses Mr.
Tristram," she begged. You're all right
with uncle. aren't you, Janic?''
JAMIE nodded rather nervousiy. After a
pause of full half minute, Harry iris
tram rose without q word and began I'd
walk on; 1t was left for Nina to join him