Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-06
CHAPTER in.
The Man in Possession.

In these days jamie Iyer would have been
lonely but for the majors attentions. Her
father had gone to London on business
showing, to Mr.. Neeld's relief, no DISPOSE
ton to take the Journal with him to read
on the way. (Neeld was absurdly nervous
about the Journal now). Her mother was
engrossed with a notable scheme which
Miss Swinkerton had started for the poor
of Blentmouth; Bible readings a savings
bank and cottage gardens We're so mex
trlcably mingled in il that the beneficiary,
if she liked one, had to go in for them all.
Clearly, Mrs. liver, chief aid-de-camp had
no leisure. Harry was at Blent ; no word
and no sign came from him. Bob Broadley
never made advances The field was clear
for the major. jamie, grateful for his at
tentions, Yet felt vaguely that he was more
amusing as one of two attentive cavaliers
than when he was her only resource. A
sense of ffatneSs came over her sometimes.
In fact, the center of interest had shifted
from her; she no longer held the stage; it
was occupied now, for the few days she had
still to live. by Lady Tristram. Moreover,
Duplay was puZzling. Although not girl
who erected every attention every in
dication of liking into an obligation to pro-
pose matrimony, jamie knew that after a
certain point things of this kind We're sup
posed to go either forward or backward,
not to remain in statu quo; If her own bear
ing toward Bob contradicted this general
rule-well, that was an exceptional case
II Is MOL very ldlleFlIS WQen gentleman
takes too long over considering such a
matter; touch of impetuosity Is more be-
coming She would have preferred that he
should have needed to be put off, and failed
to understand why Gf it may be so ex-
pressed) he put himself off from day to
day.
But Duplay's reasons were, in fact, over
whelming. Lady Tristram lived STILL and
he had the grace to count that as the
strongest motive for holding his hand.
Harry's campaign was for the moment at
a standstii; Duplay had no doubt he would
resume 1t as soon as his mother was buried
on its apparent progress the majors ac-
ton would depend. 1t was just possible
that he could defeat his enemy without his
secret weapon; in that event he pictured
himself writing a letter to Harry, half sor-
rowful, half magnanimous, in which he
would leave the young man to settle
matters with his conscience, and for his
own part wash his hands of the whole af-
fair Among the reasons for inactivity
which Duplay did not acknowledge to him
self was the simple and common one that
he was in his heart afraid to act He
meant to act, but he shrank from it, and
postponed the hour as long as he could. De-
feat would be very ignominiouS; and he
could not deny that defeat was possible
merely from want of means to carry ON
the war When the major recognized this
fact he was filled with a somber indigna-
ton at the inequalities of wealth. and at
the ways of a world wherein not even truth
shall triumph unless she commands a big
credit at the bank
And Nina annoyed him intensely; assum-
ing an aggrieved air and limiting severe
moral condemnation in every glance of her
eye. She behaved fer all the world as
though the major had begun the whole
thing, and entirely ignored her own re-
sponsibility. The general unreasonableness
of woman was his only refuge; but the
dogma could not bring understanding, much
less consolation. with it.
What did you tell me for them" he
cried at last. you were hot on 1t then.
Now you say you won't help me; you'll
have nothing more to do with iti''
Il only told it you as-as a remarkable
circumstance" the Imp alleged with n
wanton disregard for truth.
Nonsense. Nina You were delighted to
have weapon against young Tristram
then"
II can't help it If you insist on misun-
derstanding me. uncle And anyhow,
suppose l can change my mind, if I like,
can't II"
mo" he declared "Tt's not fair to me.
l can't make you out at all. You're not In
love with Harry Tristram are youc''
with that boy?" asked Nina, attempt-
ing to be superb.
That's woman's old nonsense" observed
Dupiay. twirIfng his mustache knowingly.