Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-12

rosy face and eager gray eyes, Minnie
Thorning came in sight of the twisted
chimneys of Carnway Abbey. in its hollow.
But the sun was uD and had entered the
list right heartily to fight the frost. And
the sky was as blithe as the face of Min
ME herself
The abbey lay in the hollow like the dead
house it was. with tall elms about 1t.
stretching their white and black boughs
toward il as if they pitied It's forlornness,
though themselves also forlorn just then.
One mere thread of blue smoke rose from
the scattered pile.
But to Minnie Thorning nothing could
have looked more winsome than this half
ruined building, thus panoplied as 1t was
with loneliness and desolation. She wheeled
her cycle down the final lane which led to
the abbey portal. with its pompous stone
escutcheOn, telling of the days when a GER
tain Sir Stephen Carnway got a grant OF
the abbey and it's lands and set up his
household goods where the Benedictines of
old had prayed and done other deeds less
worthy of them. And here she paused and
began to frown.
He hasn't GOMEZ she murmured: and,
truth to tell she was dismayed as well as
impatient. almost to the point of anger.
And then the Impotence fed. and she
smiled as only Minnie Thorning could
smile. The tinkle of bell that called to
her, and Alexander waving his cap as
he rode recklessly down the lane from the
other side of the valley.
We'll, angelr' he said, he jumped TO
the ground. This is heavenly"
She gave him both her hands, and he
held them with both of his Their cycles
were barricades of a sort between them,
but their hearts met as well as their hands.
That you could tell by their eyes.
60 har coll IN ct har
grounds than her love
Il sent you the line, Alec" she said, be
cause l was feeling bored at Bowerdale,
that's ALL And the weather seemed so set
tied and nice. / wanted to see you, OF
course. but ii was because things were so
dull at the manor"
"How's your father" asked Alexander.
He did not seem to quite like such justih-
cation his sweethearts part.
Papa is very WELL thank you. He won't
hear your name mentioned. When mother
said you were down from town the day be-
fore yesterday. he said, We'll, won't have
him philandering here. You will please
both understand that.
Yes l know said Alexander bitterly
with the look of an earnest pugilist instead
OF lover. Il suppose our natures are in
evitably antagonistic-
No. Alec. it's your circumstances that
are that said the girl And-your hands
have warmed mine quite enough. thank
you. dear. Shall we inspect the abbey?'
"Oh. bother the abbey
we must see it. Alec At least I must.
I wrote to Mrs. Roadway last night to say
/ should be over. Sometimes, you know,
SIZE goes away to married daughter In
Manchester, and stays for time. But, Of
course. we must go inside. Ring the bell,
please, dear"
You mean. angel, that your con-
science
Yes. Alec, my conscience-and papa, I
must have some excuse. you know. Papa
is very proud, too, though he is only mill
owner whereas you are a barrister and
gentleman, and he will not think"
Minnie
YES, Alec
Don't talk in that wretchedly ironical
tone. that's all. Your father is a gentleman,
and try TO act as one, though 1 have only
two or three hundred year and hopes If
/ hadn't the hopes, I'd feel disposed to
shoot myself"
Indeed, What they them"
She feigned intense surprise and curiosity
as she looked at him for his answer.
They are you said he.
obi said she. shruggin- slightly. us
that all? Poor Alec! But do ring the bell.
We can talk inside. Mrs. Railway won't
act the guidebook to me-
Viper said he.
They smiled at each other. and he rang
the bell. II changed Electrically within, and
several jackdaws came forth from a hole
in the Once-ornate portal and screamed to-
ward the ivy which decked the upper sto-
ries of the building right to the battle
ments.
I've been thinking of having another in
terview with your father, SWEET said Alec,
while they waited.
''Oh, no; not yet Something must hap
pen first | mean you must make a sensa-
ton in court The well-known eminent
and rising junior. Mr.. Garston,' and so on,
you know All. here she comesr'
But 1t wasn't Mrs. Radway-that sedate
and strong minded old dame who for years
had spent the winters fearlessly alone
with her cats and memOries) in this grim
skeleton of house, six fierce miles from a
Hoo IL Sats Of Ear
He FASTENED to explain. after glance at
Alec, which had a curious crestfallen
quality
My mother has had TO go to Manchester.
miss he said. She thought, l was
here. she might run the risk. I'm not long
back from America myself
He impaired the information heavily,
and again his eyes rested on Alec far from
cordially.
I'm afraid you're a bit of a bad egg."
said Minnie, smiling. We'll, come in. Alec.
Mr.. Railway won't be angry if 1 spare you
introduction TO him"
Alec laughed. He trundled the machines
inside, and the door was swung to Us
socket again and locked.
You can give me the keys" said Minnie.
Its not weather for dungeons. Well
stick to the sunny side. eh, Alec?'
It's trouble. miss said Railway.
But. really, there's need to come
Il think I'd better. miss, for start. The
rules are mighty strict Lord Sunbrook'S
been complaining of bits of James the
First's velvet bed cover being missing. Not
that I'm meaning anything against a lady
like you. but dutys duty
I'm glad you've made that discovery at
last, Michael" said Minnie. drily. Lead
on"
Roadway looked unhappy, as well as
rather guilty.
They've got so rusty, too" he said
sheepishly. My mother says not souls
been in the abbey for a fortnight
Else, I'm sure you should have them and
welcome
Lead on. said"
Minnie was severe. But only toward
young Roadway, for when Alec slipped MS
hand upon her arm she beamed on him,
nay more, she winked. 1t was just Ii
she had said that she knew how to treat
rascaiy fellows who sponged on their old
mothers and wouldn't settle to steady, hon.
est work anywhere-didn't shei
Roadway did lead on. His shoulders had
a hangdog look. And he pondered many
things in his mind
1t was the fellow with Miss Thorning
who played ;he mischief with his sweetly
simple plan. Alec was big, clean-limbed,
evidently OF athletic disposition. And
he had fastened his eyes upon MIN,