Evening star., 1901-05-25

cracks fell, smashed, on the floor. Cecny
laughed, glad Of LIE excuse to seem at her
ease.
Hang the thing! If you'd loved me
you'd have been ashamed TO do it!''
Il was ashamed without loving you.
Cousin Harry"
'Oh. do drop Cousin Harry
well. proposed to. But you wouldn't
Her only refuge now was in the quips and
verbal victories. They served her well. for
Harry, less master of himself than usual,
was hindered and tripped up by them.
still, If we ever meet again IL say Harry
if you like
"Of course. we shall meet again. She
surprised that out of him.
It'll be awkward for me now" she
laughed lightly. But her mirth broke off
suddenly as he came closer and stood over
her.
Il could hate you for coming to me with
Almost hating herself now, yet sorely
wounded that he should think of hating
her, she answered him in a fury.
"w ell, then, shouldn't l hate you for CIV
ing me Blent? That was worse. You could
refuse. l couIunt. L have it; l have to
keep it. In her excitement she rose and
faced him And because of you can't be
happy!' she cried resentfully.
Il see. l ought to have drowned myself,
instead of merely going away oh, 1 know
l owe the world at large apologies for my
existence. and you in particular. of course.
Unfortunately, though, l intend to go on
existing. l even intend to live life of
my own-not the life Of a hanger-on-if
you'll kindly allow me-"
would any other man in the world talk
like this after"
ANY man who had the sense to see what
you'd done I'm bound to be a nuisance to
you, anyhow l should be least of nui-
sance your husband. That was it. oh,
I'm past astonishment at you"
His words sounded savage, but it was not
their fierceness that banished her mirth.
1t was the new light that they threw on
that impulse of hers. She could only fall
back on her old recrimination.
when you gave me Blent-"
Hold your tongue about Blent." he COM
manded imperiously. If it were not mine
on my conscience; you fret me; you worry
me! Marry me and 1 shall be more com
Portable" What then?"
'Why, it would be just like you to do it,
she cried in malicious triumph.
The sort of thing runs in the family.
then" She started at the plainness of his
sneer "Oh, yes, that was it. Well, what
would your answer be? Shall tell you!
You'd ask the first man who came by to
kick me out of the room. And you'd be
right"
The truth of his words pierced her. She
flushed red. But she was resolved to adj
nit nothing. Before him. at any rate, she
would cling to her case, to the view of her
own action to which she stood committed.
He at least should never know that now at
last he had made her bitterly and horribly
ashamed with a shame not for what she
had proposed to do herself, but for what
she had dared to ask him to do She saw
the thing now as he saw it Had his man
ner softened had he made any appeal, had
ne not dashed her with the bittereSt words
he could find she would have been in tears
at his feet But now she faced him so
boldly that he took her flush to mean an
ger. He turned away from her with
SrDrnfu laugh. and picked up his hat from
tha chair on which he had thrown it.
We'll that's all, isn't it?" he asked
BEFORE she had time to answer there was
a cry from the doorway full of astonish-
mtnt, CONSERVATION and lit must be added
outraged propriety. For it was past :
o'clock and Nina Zabriska, for all her
freakishness, had been bred on strict lines
Of decorum. "Cecily,' she cried. And ~. nd
vou!' she added moment later. they
turned and saw her standing there in her
dressing gown, holding 4 candle. The sud
den turn Of events, the introduction OF TINS
new figure, the intrusion that seemed so
absurd overcame Cecily. She sank back
in her chair and laid her head on her hands
on the table, laughing Historically. Harry 5
frcwn grew heavier.
you're in it, too, 1 suppose? I've al
ways had the misfortune to interest you.
haven't l? You wanted to turn me out
first. Now you're trying to put me IN
again, you? on. you women; can You
leave man aloneE
Il don't know what you are talking about.
And what are you doing here? Do you
know it's half-past 2?'
TT would be all the same to me if it was
half-past D." said Harry, contemptuously.
you've been here with her all the time!
"Oh, Lord, yes. Are you the chaperon?.
he laughed as he unceremonously clapped
his hat on his head. We've had an even
ing out, my cousin and l saw her home.
And now I'm going home. Nothing wrong
1 hope. Nine. Zabriska
Cecly raised her head: she was laughing
still, with tears in her eyes.
Nina looked at her. Considerations OF
propriety fell into the background
But what's it all about?" she cried.
"I'n leave Cecily to tell you. He was
quiet now, but with a vicious quietness.
Eve been explaining that have prefer
ence for being left alone. Perhaps it may
not be superfuous to mention the fact to
you, too, Nine. Zabriska My cabs walt
ing Good night" He looked a moment at
Cecily and his eyes seemed to dwell lit
tie longer than he had meant. In tone
rather softer and more gentle he repeated,
Good night.
Cecily sprang to her feet. 81 shall re-
member" she cried. Il shall remember"
Her voice was full of bitterness. Her man.
ner proudly defiant
grimly. Il shouldn't be able to complain
of that" he said, as he turned and went
out to his cab
Cecly threw herself into her chair again.
The bewildered Imp stood staring at her.
Il didn't know where you Were" Nina
complained.
"Oh, it doesn't matter
Fancy being here with him at this time
of night!'
Cecly gave no signs of hearing this su-
perficial criticism on her conduct.
You must tell me what's it's all about"
Nina insisted.
Cecily raised her eyes with a weary air,
as though she spoke of a distasteful SUBJ
ject unwillingly and to no good purpose.
Il went to tell him he could get Blent
back by marrying me-.
1I-f acxa cd
into the cry. What did he say?"
Ceciy seemed to consider for a moment
Then she answered slowly:
"WeL, he very nearly beat me-and l
rather wish he had" she said.
Announcing a Change of Policy.
From the Chicago Tribune.
Now that the warm weather is upon
u.s. wrote the editor of the Hickory Ridge
Missourian. I'VE take occasion to say We