Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17

said. "but I can't bear this-always with
that man-never a look for me-
Its all. I'm not to blame People
leave us together purposely. 1t may not
be his fault either. but" >.
''It is his fault" De Kaye said. Cant
you see how he uses the advantage your
brother-in-law is purposely giving him!
What chance have I against quiet chap
like that who knows how to pose for a
saint? Heaven knows I'm no saint! But
you could love me into being almost good
enough to deserve you" His rich voice was
low and pleading. Editha listened and was
lost. You don't love him. do you? They
cannot force him on you till he makes you
think you DOR His voice trembled.
No" she hesitated. but I don't
think T."
''Oh. Editha. you don't know yet what II
means to me: think about 1t till tomorrow.
I'll come to the garden at 4" His gentle
ness. his eagerness touched her. She would
not say that she loved him, but she would
think about It. When Smith came back
they were both q little excited, but he ap-
peared to notice nothing
The next day Peter Smith saw Editha
only at luncheon. She stayed upstairs. A
little after she went out into the garden.
De Kaye called at the house. talked awhile
with Mrs. Kenworthy, and after carelessly
inquiring for Miss Allyn, said he would go
out and talk with her bit.
AS for Editha the young fellows plead
ing as for his very life swayed her girlish
y,
next. The girl was in a dream. The ro-
mantle delight of secrecy was upon rler.
She began to think she did love him. and
ne begu1led her into admitting it. He
brought her an exquisite red rose every
day. and his restraint satisfied her natural
fine reserve. Since the night at the lawn
party he had not SO much as touched her
hand. He told her that one kiss on her
hand had changed his whole life Almost
unconsciously she compared him to Peter
smith. Smith certainly didn't need her.
She rejected the unbidden thought that she
needed him, and as her feeling of constraint
with him increased, her delight in meeting
De Kaye became greater
AT last she promised De Kaye that she
would marry him-some day-and agreed to
ten no one. He supplied plenty of good
reasonS-Smith's presence there, the doc
tors prejudice. He made the scientist seem
a prosecutor.
People still continued to pair Peter Smith
on with her in tacit recognition of their
supposed mutual liking. Editha forgot that
1t was as hard for the man, who hadn't the
Woman's privilege of openly avoiding whom
she chose. as 1t was for her. She forgot
that he behaved most delicately at the doc
tors. that he never claimed a word from
her except cOnventionally.
lie seemed to cultivate De Hayes friend
ship De Kaye told Editha he was trying
her that Smith had known him in New
York.
De Kaye began to plead for an early mar
rage since ner people would doubtless
raise a great fuss. why mention even their
engagement till 1t was all over? Why not
be married quietly and forestall any at
tempt to separate them? They would go
to Paris and stay till the storm had blown
over. Society would forget 1t in six weeks
Her family would forgive them, especially
when they saw how he loved her. AS for
him, he had nobody but her to care for.
He sighed pathetically. and Editha prom
Used.
It was Saturday. They would slip Off
Wednesday evening like two naughty chill
dren running away from school, for DIR.
and Mrs. Kenworthy would be at a musi-
Gale at Arkwright's. a few blocks away.
1t would be like a story. happy ever after.
Wednesday night was calm and starry.
with high white moon. Between 8 and 10
Editha, in her travelling dress, stole out to
the side gate. She carried nothing. De
Kaye told her to bring only her precious
self Involuntarily she glanced up at Pc
ter Smiths window. It was dark. With
sudden vague sinking of the heart she
wondered why she was not rapturously
happy.
Reginald met her with a tender greeting.
He led her few blocks to side street
and put her into carriage. Editha could
hardly wait to be on: she wanted to have
1t over with. De Kaye jumped In after
her, and they ratified swiftly away over the
pavement.