Evening star., 1901-08-24

L can do" said MIR. Smith, .'is to offer for
the exhibit the use OF my house and my
service"
As he owned many rare pieces Of silver
ware himself. and the public at large was
curious to see the interior of his new home,
he was gratefully thanked, and the offer
accepted.
Two evenings the exhibit lasted. and all
Circletown turned out. The affair was one
Of great social magnifcence. Under noddfng
palms the silverware reposed upon rich vel
vets of ruby, green and gold. Subdued
lights flung their rosy radiance upon gieam-
ing statuary and soft strains OF music
throbbed through a bower OF ferns and
lilies. The host was irreproachable. With
a dignified and reserved yet cordial well
come he put all at their ease, establishing
for himself an enviable reputation. Such
social success had never before been
known in Circletown. The real Mr.. Smith
was having a precedent established for him
that he might find difficulty in living up to.
As was to be expected. Miss Lormer was
the object of Mr.. Smiths most marked
attentions. The town had recognized this,
and the feminine portion of 1t was honest
ly endeavoring to accept the fact gra-
ciOusly.
Now. he will always live here" said the
matrons. wisely nodding their heads. II
he had not fallen in love with one of our
girls he would probably grow weary of SO
small a place and return to Paris"
On the last evening of the exhibit Mr..
Smith escorted Miss Lormer to her home.
hesitating farewell of her.
Think the best you can of me always,
he said. Although no man can be all a
good woman thinks he is, still would have
been all I seem to be had l always had
the opportunities I have now.'
Miss Lormer looked troubled and was
about to speak impulsiveiy, When slignt
cough was heard. and. blushing slightly
she said, Good night!'
When Mr. Smith returned home he found
the servants busily packing up the silver
ware, under the stern supervision OF the
trustworthy Jenkinson. Mr.. Smith mad ex-
pressed himself as disinclined to assume
longer than was absolutely necessary the
responsibility of the borrowed heirlooms,
and had made all arrangements for their
return the next morning. 1t was very
early the next morning when MI. Smltn
arose. Indeed, it was still night 1t was
the day Of the real owners ARRIVAL, ana
with his customary thoughtfuiness OF
Others Mr.. Emley had decided to leave.
be attended to first All over the house he
went, upstairs and down, and not single
sound did he make. 1t was now that MS
great art showed itself. Bolts and bars
opened like magic before the toucn Oh ms Is
slender fingers. and after he had passed 1t
was as though army of strange ants
had been at work. The walls and manteis,
the cabinets, tables and floors were bare
and unsightly. He had taken the precau-
ton of having the silverware packed In
small boxes, but even so, he round dln-
Guilty in loading 1t on the cart he had
driven out upon the lawn. But at o CLOCK
the cart was filled: Climbing into the hish
seat and taking the reins, he turned back
toward the house and smiled.
1T is a very cold day, Jenkinson." he
said
Then he clucked softly to the horse and
began his journey. 1t was a very little
Journey The horse had not taken ten
steps before some one stepped out from
the shadows and caught hold of the bride
rein. Mr.. Emley sprang to his feet, only
to find himself looking into the barrel Of a
revolver.
Il beg your pardon said a soft voice..
but could l speak to you for a few mo-
ments?"
For the first time in his life Mr. Emley
was stunned, helpless. at the mercy of his
opponent The voice was that OF Miss Ior-
mer. Ec
IF you will get down from the cart"
she said, Il will put this gun away. I
am a very good shot," and she laughed,
but the thing makes me nervous"
who would have thought that you were
in the profession, too," Mr.. Emley NUT
tered in dazed tones as he mechanically
climbed down from the cart.
Miss Lormer laughed. again more heart
lily than before, and it was then he saw
that she vas not alone. man stood at
the horses head. One of his legs was ban
daged and he leaned heavily on a cane.
He was a tall, i5ood-looking young man,
and he returned Mr.. Emley's survey with
great interest. Noticing the exchange of
glances. Miss Lormer turned to Mr.. EN-
ley, slightly embarrassed.
ALLOW me to introduce to you, Mr. Smith.
my fiance.
Mr.. Emley started and flushed Quickly
recovering himself, however, he bowed low
to the stranger.
Il congratulate you, sir" 40
THANK you, murmured the real Mr..
Smith.
Yes" said Miss Lormer, ref1ectively,
leaning her head on one side and looking
down at the revolver which she held in one
hand and patted with the other; you see
met him in Paris, and we became en-
gagged. l wanted a home here where I
was born, so he bought The Grange. and
picked out the servants. That is why you
weren't known as an imposter at once. Mr..
Smith was coming here with me, but had
an accident, SO 1 extended my visit I'm
New York, where I was waiting for him
When l got here / was rather surprised to
see you, you know" (she looked up with a
twinkle in her eye); but you were such a
good actor / hated to interfere. OF course,
had to tell Frank. but he always lets
me do just as l please. and here we all
are"
She smiled triumphantly, as though hay-
Ing successfully gathered together q pic
mic party, and Mr.. Smith stood leaning
against the horse, evidently much amused
with the situation. 1t was hard to realize
that the gentremanly Mr.. Emley was a
"And now that we are here what are we
going to dor" asked Mr.. Emley
His voice had a strange, unnatural sound
that made Miss Lormer vince. Perhaps
her conscience was not entirely untroubled
as to her treatment of him. She slipped
the revolver into a leather belt encirciing
her slender waist and held out her hand.
II think" she said gently, "you had
better CO."
Mr.. Emley bowed low over the little
hand. He lifted his hat to Mr.. Smith. and.
turning. walked away from them into the
darkness. When he was far enough away
to render conversation inaudible, Miss Lor-
mer called to him:
wait a minutew
He stood in the darkness waiting and
she fearlessly went up to him.
Il don't like to think Of you going away
without anything" she said; ''here, take
this"
She pulled tea rose from her hair.
thust 1t into his hand and ran back 10
her lover.
Dick" said Mr.. Emley to himself, you
have walked up"
The CamphoP Tree,
From Good Words.
The camphor tree (Cinnamomum cam