Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-25

reproaches for having been the cause of his
leaving the place, by her kindness to John
Mercer. Yet even as she did SO she saw
that she had not really been so much to
blame. She had never had any serious
thought of marrying Nigel, who had always
appeared to be well content with such small
favors she chose to bestow on him; so
that when John Mercer came forward she
had been justified in looking upon herself
as a free agent, able to receive his atten-
tons or not, as she pleased.
1t was not indeed until She had got over
the first excitement of the great Johns at
tentiens that she had realized how dull a
companion any man seemed after her faith
full old friend. and it was when this con-
seriousness was dawning upon her that Nigel
had received that blow to his feelings which
had resulted in his being driven away. She
had never asked John Mercer any further
question concerning Nigel's father, for it
hurt her to hear the conte,nptuous way in
which her well-to-do sutton spoke of his
humber rival. Now she WAS torn. there
fore. between her ignorant fears of the pos
sible temptations brough. upon Nigel by the
fact of his parentage and, her longing to
draw him back from those perilous ways
upon which he seemed to have entered.
OF course. the subject OF Nigefs mystic
rfous good fortune came up for discussion
at the family tea table that evening" but
every one was little shy of it; and as no.
body but Piety herself knew the exact
terms on which he, and she had parted and
as she was very reticent on the matter, the
conversation WAS soon turned into another
channel.
No doubt he would soon be calling
again.. Mrs. Rede said and Piety said
nothing, though her heart was heavy with
doubt and dread. x
Her fears were not unfounded. On the
following day. which wasFriday, she was
at her glove counter. when one of the other
shop assistants came laughing mis-
chfeyOusly to her with the news that young
Treveddoe your old sweetheart you know,
Miss Rede.' had Just driven by, such a
swell" with Nan Philpot. "dressed up to
the Mines" on the seat beside HIM
Piety shrugged her shoulders and said it
didn't matter to her. But she would have
given the world for the Opportunity of
good cry. AS she crossed the market place
on her way home t. evening walking her
bicycle slowly .lrough the crowd which al
ways filled the road at that hour, she saw
the very group about which she had >been
thinking all the afternoon Nigel. with his
face rather flushed. Laughing boisterousiy;
Mamie Philpot wearing ashat in the fash
ionable and hideous combination of mauve
and blue. which exactlyssuited her semi
barbarous taste. and the smart dog-clrt
waiting behind them wiafia they chatted to
q couple of friends.
They had been waiting Apr her Piety felt
sure. Nigel. indeed. wosld not meet her
eye. but turned sharply 10 his companion
as the girl came up. ButaNanpie uttered a
coarse laugh and starad sihsolently in
Piety's face as she went by
There goes Miss Piefyf aerimface!" cried
she, turning on her heel 10 ybaWl after the
girl whom she had always looked upon
hitherto as her successfuEEivaLs why don't
yQu give the stuck up sfhing. look as
on, with push whchsw*s rough enough
to set man staggering -Fou haven't
arr SPIRIT, you hayeRt;It 10 lgt girl look