Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08
CHAPTER w.
A Night Call.

do you know Ralph" she faltered, pres
emily, II have faint suspicion that you
are annoyed about something. What is It?
Be frank now, and tell me-
'Annoyed?' I laughed. mot at all, dear
est. Nervous and impatient, perhaps You
must make allowance for me. A doctors
life is full of professional worries. I've had
a trying day at the hospital; and 1 suppose
I'm quarrelsome-eh?"
mo, not quarresome, but just inclined to
be a little suspicious"
Suspicious? Of what?"
Her woman's power of penetration to the
innermost secrets of the heart was mar
velous.
''Of me-"
How absurd!' exclaimed "Why should
be suspicious-and Of what?"
'Well." she laughed, 81 really don't know,
only your manner IS peculiar. Why not be
frank with me, Ralph, DEAR and tell me
what 1t is that you don't like? Have I Of
Tended your
mot at all, darling" fastened to assure
her. ''Why, you're the best little woman in
the world Offend mellow absurd!'
Then who has offended your
I hesitated. When a woman really loves,
a man can have but few secrets from her
Ethelwynn always read me like an open
book.
I'm worried over a critical case" I
| said, in an endeavor to evade her question.
But your patients don't annoy you sure
| ly," she exclaimed. There is distinction
between annoyance and worry
Il saw that she had detected nv SUSPICION
| and at once fastened to reassure her that
| she had my entire confidence.
IF Mary finds her life trine dull with
| her husband it is surely reason why 1
| should be blamed for it, she said, in a tone
| of mild complaint.
| mo, you entirely misunderstood me-" +
| said. mo blame whatever attaches to you
Your sisters actions are no affair of ours
| t. voit,r hot ,Ioa
| error With her husband lying i'll she should
| at least remain at home"
| "She declares that she has suffered mar
| ttyrdom for his sake long enough" my we'll
| beloved said. perhaps she is right for be-
! tween ourselves the old gentleman is a ter
/ rible trial.
THAT is only to be expected from one SUI
| fering from such a disease. Yet il can serve
no excuse for his wife taking up with that
| gay set the Penn-Pagets and the Henni-
kers. l must say I'm very surprised"
And so am 1, Ralph. But what can I do?
| I'm utterly powerless. She is mistress here,
| and does exactly as she likes. The old gem
| tleman dotes on her. and allows her to have
| her way in everything. She has ever been
| willful even from child
She did not attempt to shield her sister
| and yet she uttered no condemnation of her
| conduct. I could not even then understand
| the situation. To me one of two things was
| apparent. Either she feared to displeasa
her sister, because of some power the latter
[ held over her, this neglect of old Mr..
| Courtenay was pleasing to her
] II wonder you don't give Mary a hint
that her conduct is being noticed and re-
marked upon. OF course, don't say that
I I've spoken of it, Merely put it to her In
| the manner of a vague suggestion"
Very well, if you wish it." she responded
promptly, for she was ever ready to exc
cute my smallest desire.
| And you love me quite truly and as
| well as you did year ,ago?' I asked eag-
| erly, strokng the dark tendrils from her
| white brow
Love your" she echoed Eyes, Ralph -
she went on. looking UP into my face with
| unwavering gaze. II may be distract and
| preoccupied sometimes. but nevertheless L
| swear to YOU as did on that summers
| evening long ago when we were boating to-
| gether at Shepperton, that you are the only
| man have ever loved-or shall ever love.
| I returned her caress with a passion that
| was heartfelt. I was devoted to her. and
these tender words of hers confirmed nv
belief in her truth and purity.
| Need 1 repeat what I have told YOU SO
| many times, dearest?" I asked in a low
| voice, as her head rested upon my shoulder
and she stood in my embrace. Need tell
you how fondly love you-how that I am
entirely yours? No. You are mine Ethel
| wynn-mine."
'.And you will never think i'll Of me?" she
| asked in faltering tone. You will never
| be suspicious of me as you have been to-
| night? You cannot tell how all this upsets
| me- Perfect love surely demands perfect
confidence. And our love is perfect-is ii
| not"
"It is" cried "It u.s. Forgive me, dear
est Forgive me for my churlish conduct
! tonight. 1t Is my fault-all my fault. ]