Evening star., 1902-03-22

cook. who was kept" at the manse OF
kflgour, had been dispatched in charge OF
the Caesars army" as they were called
throughout the district
Il fear you have found mother more
than ordinarily trying this morning." Yer
onica began cheerfully, without any other
greeting
"She certainly talked rather wildly" ad-
mitted John, "and once or twice seemed
SO Ill that she quite frightened me"'
Veronicas lips, lovely designed and lying
upon each other with the large ease of
those OF Athene Parthenos. were compressed
a little more as John spoke.
HAS she been abusing you or me?' she
INQUIRED, without the shadow Of smile.
10th, said John, equally gravely.
AM When l was ten l found my
mother out. Could any childs reverence
nave survived such an upbringing? Won
| der / am not indeed the perfect tyrant and
neartless wretch she tells every one l am.
Perhaps in some ways she Is right But
think how many things / have borne in
silence, and how much 1 know. l don't
tEink that that these extenuating. circumstances
are quite adequately provided for in the
nrst commandment with promise"
There Is no one in the world so kind as
you. vera,' said John. soothingly. you
work harder than a whole staff of servants.
You are score of nurses all in one-be-
sides governess: tutor, sewing woman.
housekeeper--"
II am the daughter of a house without
| head, said Veronica without looking I'D a
| moment from her work What l do is pure
| ly selfsh-perhaps done to quiet my con-
sc1ence-that may render with my hands
refuse"'
L would give the world If I could help
| you. Vera." said John looking down at her
with great pity in his heart.
Ihe girl looked up with single. swift
| look Of anger. then as quickly dropped her
eyes upon her work again, and went on
mechanically as before.
Your She cried with little laugh bit
ter to hear
Then, milder look coming gradually into
the wide gray eyes. she added: All my
BOY, you have your own troubles. | know
and am sorry. l did wrong to be angry
with WITH you when you came here last time.
Inat. again, was my selfishness.
They have been telling YOU tales to nv
discredit. l hear" said John You have
been told that THAT T.
He paused. for the words which ought to
nave come next seemed to choke him.
Il have been told what l never for a mo-
ment believed" said the girl lightly Il
laughed at those who maligned YOU Lad
ole, nave spoken many edged words to
you, but L am your friend. 1 never loved
you or any man as woman ought to love
the man she is trysted to marry But do
you think that In all these years 1 have
not seen to the bottom of you-aye. as If
you were made Of clear glass? l think there
are deeps in you which no one has ever
Fairiie." ~
1ou nay { HedTu ABOUT ner-What does it
mean?' said John. grateful for even SO du-
blous word Of encouragement.
That have no guess at" she answered.
at least not more than guess so remote
ana rant that dare not put it into words,
even to myself. But let this abide In your
soul, John. Dark things may come to light
Ih1ngs painful assuredly will But thev
shali not stain little Fairlie any more than
1t Is gone,'
John was immensely touched His heart
bc cuEded with gratitude Vera" he cried
lmPulsively, catching the girl in his arms
you are the noblest woman Co5 go
made" e'e'
He would have kissed her on the Inns and
Ior single quivering moment the girl
$1,000 motionless as if she might have per.
free and turned away
NO. John. she spoke slowly and dis
tlhctiy, Keeping her back to him. and going
on an the time with her polishing Of the
aoinm nin1.ure am not noble or self-sacri-
Ilclng. or indeed anything adjectival But
happen not to mind work. and to the aver
age nina that covers a multitude of sins"
ana SO 1t ought" cried John. II have
ue oeen "a lazy lazy dog, but l will not remain
sc enc hour longer. You never cared y
pfass farthing for me, except to lecture ami
10 tease And you can do that now as
If.ucn as ever. AS for me, you know that
one in all the world. You have aIwavs
peeh my world-my friend-mother-siste
ana. indeed. all my universe"
Except queried Veronica, quietly snin-
ping thread between her small even
teeth. ii' even
Well stammered John, "except what
you would not let me ber' ~
it is certainly most comforting" said
veronica Caesar, sweetly
ana she rose holding out a hand to her
some time fiance ~ hei
Wen, John. All your universe excent,
has her fathers lunch to take m to bin1N
good-bye!' she said ~ A''ii
(To be continued)