Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19
Eyes, go on. remember Harry Clarke

/
sYou do?'' and Hereford laughed again.
| We'll, he needed ninety-five dollars, needed
/ 1t the worst way, and-well, to make long
story short, / gave it to him; consequently
after tips at leaving, etc, l arrived on the
| train with two dollars"
"Ohr involuntarily. What a shame!
| But why did you do such foolish thing?
81 rather expected that I'd meet some
man I knew on the train, and also be-
cause" he paused again.
Yes, because
Because" the excitement OF her presence
and the lack of food were making him
| bit nght-headed and he blurted out the
| truth Because 1 thought he was your
husband"
What" She looked at him in amazement,
her breath quickening sharply. 'Why-but
| how could you
81 knew that he followed you to Europe.
1 knew that he loved you, and 1 heard
somehow, somewhere, a report of your en-
gagement. Erroneous, 1 now see. but all
these years l have fancied you as his wife. -
Two pink spots were turning to crimson
in Mrs. Bronson's cheeks; she spoke hur-
riedly.
And you did not ask him?"
lie was in hard luck, said his wife was
i'll. How could 1 mention your name?' an
| the lids over her traitorous eyes.
| "You-you did it for me-" she murmured.
You have not quite forgotten, then?'
Forgotten" the mans voice was hope
!
! "Ah!' Mrs Bronson drew a long breath
| that was almost a sigh. DO you remember
Irritation Walk with its cool green trees?
Do you remember the mess hall with the
moon shining on it hop nights? Do you re-
member the broad river, where the boats
hoated past on summer evenings, cleaning
| with jeweled lights, the honeysuckle just
beyond Her voice was vibrant with re-
pressed feeling, and the man put out a pro-
testing hand
''Oh, don't" he cried, brokenIy. DON'T"
And then was taken aboard" Her tone
| shook in spite of her efforts but she went
steadily on. Mother must not speak
hardly of the dead-yet l feel that I ought
to tell you-it was only few days ago that
found your letters in her desll-unopened."
Hereford passed a hand over his forehead.
You mean
Il never received them" came the almost
1naudible answer" Hereford drew himself
sharply up.
And then?"
Il never knew. And Mr. Bronson
mother wished-I was only seventeen, re-
| member; don't blame me too hardly" i'm
plorinsly. How could / judge"
Blame you. l could never do that he
faltered. You were free. And you
i was happy enough. My husband was
| much older than ]: but he was kind to me.
We lived abroad; he was rich; we travelled
a great deal; saw foreign cities; learned
new tongues. And then my boy came. But
L never forgot-West Point" Again her
voice broke off, and Hereford gazed I'M
|
all traces of conflict We're gone
THANK YOU" he said simply. TT was
good of you to tell me. Now, should we
never meet again, 1 shall be satisfied
Never? But why"
Surely it is best that we should not"
said Hereford
GU mean puzzled.
Il mean that I could not trust myself"
he broke out with sudden intensity. Il
would not dare. For you it would not mat
ter, but for me- unsteadIy, Mrs. Bron
son uttered soft exclamation
All, L see,'' her eyes fingered on him
pilfully Il see. You were always loyal
ana true. But-my husband has been dead
three years"
"Dead"' Hereford gasped for breath
Everything danced before his eyes Dead"
Her husband was dead Then she was
Tree. free. Free to love him again, free
to--for moment the blood raced in his
veins. his breast beat wildly but sudden
thought brought him up short What was
1t she had said about riches? All yes, he
remembered now. She was beyond him
again; what had he to offer, a poor army
captain, invalidated home.
The woman, watching his face read his
thoughts in flash of intuition and felt
that she must act at once Reaching out
she laid her hand on his arm.
"Winton," she said softly This is
Christmas day. Have you no present for
me?'
No" he answered stupidity, not compre-
| lieiluIilS. y "dIlI PINK SuIINSeu ner lace
| till it glowed like rosy sea shell, but her
eyes never waVered.
Then may 1 give you one? Winton, will
! you dine with me?"
Are you trying to offer me money
| again." began the man confusedly, thrilling
| to her touch and tone. "Marion-''
For moment she bushed like girl and
dl opped her eyes. Then she lifted them,
| filled with a glorious light that fairly daz-
zled him.
Il am trying to offer you myself" she
whispered.
Outside the darkness deepened, the land
scape grew barely visible. The porter came
and lit the lamps, the dining car waiter
passed down the aisle.
Dinner is ready in the dining car he
called. First call for the dining car
Hereford leaned forward and picked up
the sleepy boy who had slipped silently
back and now lay browsing in the seat just
ahead. The boy smiled and put an arm
around his neck and Hereford's heart gave
a sudden throb of realization.
Come, my son." he said tenderly Let
us go and have our Christmas dinner"