Smyrna times., 1902-07-16
The Little
Blind God.

l want your advice, and as he spoke
he drew letter from his pocket and
laid 1t on the table. ''Read that" "
Hugh glanced from the paper to his
brother IN perplexity. ''You mean me
to read this? Is it quite fair?"
Frank laughed savagely. "Oh. 7
don't suppose she'd mind: every one
has to know about it sooner or later
Read it.
Hugh took up the letter reluctantly
I'D rather you'd tell me yourself
whatever there is to tell" he said
slowly.
Cant you guess? She's Tilted me-
thrown me over; that's the bare fact
unadorned."
Evelyn has broken off her enpaoa-
ment to your exclaimed Hugh, in.
eredulously.
Even SO. You can guess how
pleased L feel"
Hugh put down the letter deliberately
It's all nonsense, Frank. It's a
mere tiff, and you are taking it too
seriously. What possible reason could
she have?"
That's just it. Oh, she puts it very
prettily. The only consolation is that
so very few people really knew of the
engagement, although, of course.
great many suspected it."
never could understand WHY Won
did not publish it. Perhaps she is
hurt at the delay"
Nonsense, and yet 1 remember
soon after you came home she did sug-
gest 1t; but it can't be that. No;
there is evidently some one else.'
Hugh did not answer. 'Some one
else!" The idea came to him as a pain
full shock.
Evelyn Drayton as his sister-in-Iaw
had not been so utterly impossible.
but that she should marry some one
else
Il don't believe it, he broke out
roughly.
Believe what?"
That she really means it." She
isn't that sort of a girl Why don't
you go to her and have it out?"
'She would not see me. Besides.
II came to ask you to do it, Hugh.
You two were always chums; you can
say things couldn't, don't you see?"
Hugh turned away abruptly, while
his brother went on: "Things about
the advantages of my position, and ali
that, don't you know"
''You think that is the line to take?"
exclaimed Hugh, wheeling around
suddenly. cit never struck me that
Evelyn was ambitious"
He hesitated a moment eyes I'll
go, if you wish it, he said, rather
coldly, at last; "and, of course, I'll do
my best"
Dear old chap, exclaimed Frank,
enthusiastically, as he pressed his
brothers hand, ''and you'll go soon
at once-and let me know the result?'
When Frank was gone Hugh paced
his room thoughtfully. He had been
out of England for two years. When
he left, Evelyn Drayton had just been
presented. Hugh had danced with
her half a dozen times during the
beginning of the season before he left
for the front; had met her as often as
1t was inevitable that he should, being
IN the same set.
What could be more natural really
than that it should have been Frank
whom Evelyn had chosen?
1t was three months now since
Hugh had returned, three months in
which he had met Evelyn almost ]
daily. He had worked hard to con-
vince himself that he had been a con- {
eelted fool and an abject idiot, and
now all at once there came this new
Development; and it was he who was
70 90 to Evelyn and beg her to resume s
the engagement which Frank had so
clearly demonstrated was to the advan-
tage of all parties.
Hugh set out for Wilton Crescent,
where Miss Drayton lived with her :
aunt, IN no very cheerful state of
mind. Hugh had half hoped that
MISS Drayton would refuse to SEQ him; '
out on the contrary, she had greeted
uin cordially, and now they sat
opposite each other in Lany Framlin's
ufawing room in silence.
1ou have guessed why 1 have
'ome| asked Captain Mostyn.
she did not answer, and little flush
rose to her face. !
frank has told me; but 1 cannot
SsiieVe 1t. You did not mean it, real !
=, Evelyn? 1t can be put straight?"
Miss Drayton gave little rueful
4lgh. There is nothing to be put !,
s"slght; that is the worst and best Of