Evening star., 1903-08-29
D A n GER.
WRITTEN FOR THE EVENING STAR BY LAWRENCE PERRY
Copyright, 1908, by Lawrence Perry)

, tory; Miss Bangs certainly showed him
affection. But surely he was moved by
strange emotions which, however, he barely
understood
Miss Bangs took things as matter OF
course, and when she went off to follow
the drag, she left Chalmers at home with
a book. or let him loaf around the country
club without compunction. Even Chalmers
love for Miss Bangs would not induce him
to ride after her, which, perhaps, was just
as well for his neck. When she returned,
flushed from the ride, with her surround
ing escort of redcoats, she would tap him
on the cheek and say: You poor boy, were
you lonely. You don't know what you miss
by not riding, or something like that.
You see, Chalmers did not meet her in
everything. If she thought about that she
did not mention it, nor did it seem to
worry her. Chalmers did not mention it,
either.
Late each afternoon she took him driving
in her little meadowbrook cart-never at
tached to the faithful old sorrel which the
rest of the family used This was the worst
of all. He was rapidly becoming quite
irritated at her apology, Invariably deliver
ed William let go the bride.
Now, dear, don't mind if | don't talk
to you for half hour, or so. Danger is
trightfully skittish.''
There would follow long. grum silence
as Miss Bangs deftly manipulated the reins
and Piled the animal with terms of endear-
ment
This afternoon Danger was unusually
skittish, and Miss Bangs unusually tender
to Danger consequently this stipulated half
hour of exclusive attention to the steed
was heightened almost a full hour. Chalm-
ers sat grimly silent looking hard at the
flying landscape
Don't, don't do that, sweetheart she
would say when the pony broke. Now,
boy-dont, sweetheart, please and so on
until the pony resumed his swinging trot
Cha liners wished she would talk to h;m
that way. He thought he could talk that
way to her If he dared. Then her voice
would break in again.
Sweetheart won't you be good? Whoa,
won't you? Oh, don't do that! That's it,
my precious-thats good boy.
Finally, when she did turn to him. Chalm-
ers' face was very serious.
Helen, do you really love me?" he said.
Love you? Why. of course, love you
more than the whole world: What
question, What is the matter?'
Il don't know; but l must say I believe
you don't love me as much as you love
Danger" persisted Chalmers
do you know what you are saying,
Jack?" exclaimed Miss Bangs.
Il think l do" replied Chalmers, dogged-
ly. Somehow you are different with Dan
ger than with me. l am silly. know, but
l get fearfully jealous sometimes.
Miss Bangs turned squarely and looked
at him with a serious face.
Il have thought of that she said. II
fear l am a failure as a fiancee-that is,
from your viewpoint No, there is no use
in your saying anything, Jack; you know
it is so. Yet l can understand how you
feel l suppose we don't meet on all
things" she continued rapidly, as though
anxious to get the thought from her mind,
You don't understand; L was brought up
with horses; they have been a great part
of my life, and you-you are absolutely
afraid of them
'I was afraid you were going to say
that, sweetheart"
But" persisted Miss Bangs, as though
she had not heard him, II do love you, even
if we don't meet in all things. Horses are
not the whole world We do have so many
things in common, you know-you do know
that, don't you, Jack2'
But Chalmers had great deal of pride,
and it hurt him that he should play what
he considered second fiddle to a horse. So
he looked straight ahead. grimly silent.
Miss Bangs was full of pride, too, and this
was bad for both of them
Very WELL she said, codly.
1t had come to be a most unpleasant drive
now Miss Bangs gave her entire attention
to the pony, and Chalmers continued to
gaze gloomily at the distant hills
Down toward the river road they went.
ted with canoes, and the pleasant meadows
on either side. came in view. Chalmers
wondered what had happened to make 1t all
seem commonplace. He was dying to
say something, but he did not wish to ap-
pear foolish, and her mouth was apparently
sealed to him forever
Both were very much engrossed in their
own thoughts. So much that they did
not notice a man standing at the sharp
turn which the river road made into the
main road, motioning frantically for them