Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08

why do you want to know?" he queried
He isn't any of your affair, Is he?"
Not just a t present. but he wants to be.
He has asked me to marry him."
The dev-reafly?"
Eyes. really. You gave me the letter this
afternoon"
Wasn't it nice of me to give you the letter,
after you said you didn't want anything I
could give your
Come now" she sad sharply
This isn't fair Helen"
THAT doesn't make any difference-you
are under bonds to tell the TRUTH
Wait till tomorrow"
81 won't wait till tomorrow. What do you
know about him?"
A footstep sounded outside, and Kerwin
looked for an interruption, but there was
none.
81 am waiting" Helen reminded him.
He rose and went to the window, thrust
ing his hands into his pockets
L don't know much about him, Helen"
he said, in different tone. 'FTne man IS
a cad-that's all I'd rather see you dead
out emotion, even, IL I didnt-if didn't
think so much of your brother and sister,"
he concluded, lamely.
His manner nettled her. You're sure
you're not Influenced by personal inter-
eSt?' she inquired.
The kindly shadows hid his face. mo"
he said. judicially, after a moment Of deep
thought. I'm sure I'm not 1 shall never
ask you again. That part of my life is
all sealed up and, for the present forgot
ten. In the after years L hope it will be a
pleasant memory. L am fully satisfied-it
Is happiness enough to have loved you
even without return"
His voice sank and the last words were
in husky whisper. There was no sound
| for moment, save the rain beating against
the windows, then Helen rose, with soft
silken rustic, and came toward him.
Thank YOU" she said, gently, "for great
deal"
He made no reply, and inwardly blessed
the darkness that sheltered him. She was
trembling, for his use of the past tense had
thrilled her with sudden pain. A lump
came into her throat, and she went slowly
out OF the room. He sighed heavily as she
closed the door
At dinner kerwin was graciousness itself
| to every one else, but he did not speak to
Helen. She carefully avoided him, but no
one seemed to notice it. He was extrav-
| agantly gay in his manner, ard no one
would have guessed that he had heart
ache, so well was 1t concealed. He be-
slowed graceful compliments on Mrs. ClaX-
| ton. and laughed at the jests of his host to
| such good purpose that the irritattons of
/ the morning were quite forgotten.
II don't see that this is any different from
| other dinners said Miss Jeffries, medita-
| lively. We're getting on all right, even
| If we are speaking the truth. You're wrong.
. Mr.. Kerwin-veracity wouldn't make US a
| nation Of hermits, each in his own little
hut"
| " dS II ldHCy, Oh Olu d Suduo CEOSS Ills
| face.
| Pm sure 1 can be agreeable without
| lying" returned Mrs. Claxton. with dis
tinct emphasis on the personal proroun.
You could not be disagreeable, no matter
how hard you tried" answered kerwin,
calamity.
There's a Roland for your Oliver, Do
| rothy." said Jimmy Claxton.
Goals of fire, rather" commented Miss
| Griffin. II think we're all fitted for polite
| society except Mr.. Kerwin. I expect to see
| him In his little hut before very long"
YES, OF course I'll have day at home -
he replied Il think I'd make a nice aer-
init. don't your"
The thought of Reginald Kerwin as a
hermit raised general laugh, in which
| Helen ostentatiously Joined, but a close
observer might have noticed that her laugh
| had no mirth in 1t.
After dinner. some Of them gathered in
| the drawing room and others went to the
| billiard room and the den. Miss Claxtou
got a book and drew chair UP near the
lamp. Kerwin watching her narrowly.
| "Oh, Reggy." she called.
| Yes: what's the troubie?" he responded
| without moving.
| You may get me cushion K you want
| to-" she said, sweetly.
| He felt his heart humping nadly. but
| he managed to compose himself enough to
| say: II don't want to get 1t, but will"
| When he came back with Il she leaned
forward and he put 1t between her shout
ders. Why didn't you want to get it?'