Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-09
.EPEDITH NICHOLSON

| pairing for Mackinac or Oconomowoc or
| Wequetonsing, and a few Of the more
| adventurous for the remoter coasts of
| New Jersey and Massachusetts. The
| same people were discussing these same
questions in the same old spirit, and.
| when necessary, cOnfessing with delight
| full frankness their financial disabilities,
| in excusing their presence in town at a
season when 1t was only an indulgence of
| providence that all the inhabitants did
| not perish from the heat.
| AS child Evelyn had played in the
| tower OF the house on the hill, and she
| now made den of it. Some of her child
| ish playthings were still hidden away in
| the window seat and stirred freshly the
remembrance Of her mother-her gentle
| ness, her frailty, her interest In the
worlds work She often wondered
realized all that her dead mother had
hoped for; but she was not morbid. and
she did not brood She found a pleasure
mer nights and watching the shifting
lights of the great railway yards far
down the valley, but at such times she
had no romantic visions. She knew that
the f1tful bell Of the switch engine and
the rumble of wheels symbolized the very
practical life of this restless region In
which she had been born. She cherished
no delusion that she was a princess in a
tower waiting for a lover to come riding
from east or west She had always shared
with her companions the young men who
visited her at college. When they some
times sent her small gifts she had shared
these also. Warrick Raridan had gone to
see her several times, as an old friend,
and he had on these occasions, with
characteristic enterprise. made the most
OF the opportunity to widen his acquaint-
ance among Evelyn's friends, to whom
she frankly introduced him.
On the day following John Saxton's in
PRODUCTION to the house Evelyn was busy
pouring oil on rusty places in the do
mestic machinery, when three cards were
brought up to her bearing unfamiliar
names. They belonged. she imagined. to
some OF the newer people of the town
who had come to Clarkson during her
years from home.
Mrs. Atherton?" she said, inquiringly,
pausing before the trio in the drawing
Two of the ladies looked toward the
third, with whom Evelyn shook hands.
Miss Morris and Mrs. Wingate" MUIR
INJURED the lady identified as Mrs. Ather-
ton. They all sat down.
ITS very nice to know that you are
at home again." said Mrs. Anterior. al
though I've not had the pleasure of meet
ing you before. 1 knew your mother very
well. many years ago. but have been
away for long time and have only re-
Gently come back to Clarkson.
TT is very pleasant to be at home
again" Evelyn responded.
Mrs. Anterior smiled nervously and
looked pointedly at her companions, evil
IDENTIFY expecting them to participate in
the conversation. The younger woman,
who had been presented as Miss Morris,
sat rigid in q gilt reception chair. She
was of severe aspect and glared at Mrs.
Anterior, who threw herself again into
the breach.
"I hope you do not dislike the west?,
Mrs. Anterior inquired of Evelyn.
mo, indeed! On the other hand. am
very proud Of 1t. You know 1 am a native
here, and very loyal"
Miss Morris seized this as II 1t had been
her cue and declared In severe tones:
We OF the west are fortunate In living
away from the artihciality Of the east.
| There is some freedom here; the star Of
+, empire hovers here; the strength Of the