Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-06

cerned. With woman it possessed no
more than a moderate significance. With
Tristram woman perhaps 1t had none at
all. A cigar succeeded the cigarette IN
Harrys mouth, as he sat there looking
at his mothers picture and thinking OF his
wife. He did not in the least regret that
she was his wife or that he had lied. He
glanced at the clock; 1t was $50. A sud
den excitement came on him; but he con-
quered it, or at least held it down, and sat
there smoking still.
Mason returned and began to clear away.
Mime Zabriska has ordered some soup
and claret to be placed in the hall for her
ladyShip my lord" said he, in explanation
Of his action.
Soup and claret might mean anything
peace or war, going or staying-anything
except sitting down to table with him. On
the whole their omen was not encouraging.
A sudden thought shot across his brain.
by Jove. If she's taken my cab!' He
jumped up, but in a moment sat down
again. The soup would be g. good one
but it would not beat him. He would walk
to Mngham and get a bed there. He was
quite clear that he would not sleep alone
at Blent. He glanced at the clock again;
to catch the train at F1llingford she must
start at 1o-and so with him. Stay though,
she might go to Merton. Nina would give
her shelter.
went into the hall 1t was 9:45; the soup
and the claret were there. Harry stood
looking at them moment, but they could
not answer his question With an impa-
into the garden. And there his first
thought was not Of Cecly.
1t was Of Blent. Blent his own again,
come back to him enriched by the ex-
life, but the background of that new life
he had begun to make for himself. He was
no longer pulled up by the possession Of it
the new experiences had taught him a
lesson there-but he was infinitely satis-
fled. Blent for his own, In his own way,
on his own terms-that was what he want
ed. See how fair it was in the still night
He was glad and exutant that it was his
again. Was he, too, curmudgeon, then?
Harry did not perceive how any reasonable
person could say such a thing. A man may
value what is his own without being a
miser or a churl.
Nobody was to be seen in the garden
not Neeld, not Nina, nor Cecily. In sur
prise he walked the length and breadth of
1t without finding any Of them. He wen.
then on to the road; he looked even in the
river in a curiosity that forgot the impossi-
BILE. He was alone. With quick step
ne came back and strobe round the house
to the stables. His fly was gone. He
searched for man to question; there was
none; they had all gone to supper or to
bed: And the fly was gone. He returned
to the bridge with an uncomfortable feeling
of loneliness.
Something came upon him, an impulse
or an instinct There was still a chance
She was not in the house. she was not
where she still might be-if. indeed, she
had not fed and left him desolate. Where?
The answer seemed SO easy to him, her
choice Of spot so obvious. II he found
her anywhere that night he would find
her by the pool, walking on the margin
of its waters-where he had seen her first,
and started at the thought that she was
his mothers fantom. He walked quickly
up the valley, not thinking. his whole be-
ing strung to wait for and to meet the an
sWer to his one great question.
On what things a mans life may seem
to hang! A f1utter Of white through the
darkness! That was all. Harry saw 1t with
a great leap of the heart. His quick pace
dropped to leisurely saunter; he strolled
emily she stopped, and, turning toward the
water, stood looking down into it. The
pool was very black that night, the clouds
thick overhead. But for her white frock
he might never have seen her at all. He
came up to her and spoke in a careless
voice.
''Wheres Neeld?" he asked. II can't find
him anywhere"
Hes gone back to Fairholme. Harry
It was late. I was to say good night to YOU
for him.
And what have you done with Mina?"
His voice was level. even and restrained
"Mna's gone to Merrion." She paused
before she added: "She was tired, so put
her In your fly to go up the HILL"
There was silence for a moment. Then
he asked:
Silence again, and then voice Of de-
ceptive meekness, of hidden mirth. an
swered him. mo. Harry"
Il knew you'd be here. IL anywhere"
We'll, I was sure you'd come here to
look for me. before You gave me up." She