Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-17

| that Henry sailed, the flowers you received
and the message?"
Yes" murmured Lefty; She had grown
| lit was not Henry who sent them, ;,
| meant 1t as joke on Henry. never
All. don't look so. I've written to him. I've
| told him to come home he will, he must.
Don't look so, please he begged. Lefty.
her lips quivering pitifully. lifted wide
You" she whispered. You. And I
thought. But why should he come back.
What do you mean?"
"Why.why didn't you expect him?" blum
dered Nicholas too earnestly to be tactful.
Don't you care for him then?' a flash Of
hopefulness illuminated his face. Don't
you?' The girl, trembling and indignant.
flung up her head.
"I-care for him." she cried, her voice
shaking. And he thinks so, too. OH with
| sharp little cry of distress. You are
quite mistaken" she went on after a pause
Il care nothing for your brother" with icy
precision. Nicholas drew long breath.
lin mighty glad to hear It," he said
sincerely, hes not half good enough for
you; No one is for that matter but
sionate haste, glad You are not half SO
glad as 1 am. How 1 would hate. hate to
be connected with-with any of your fam
iiy, she ended fiercely Nicholas took
hasty step forward.
You mean that" he demanded unstead-
give me them
Lefty, who had hidden her face, remained
silent and Nicholas watched her with visit
full eyes, till suddenly to his CONSERVATION,
the girl broke into perfect storm of tears.
The sound of her weeping seemed to drive
away his last remnant of self-controL
Lefty he cried frantically. Lefty"
The girl. sobbing harder than ever, retreat
ed pace.
How dare you call me Lefty" she
Vo,,h ~I~Ix
Miss Ferris then. Only stop, please
stop. l will go away, 1 will do anything
only stop. Oh, Lefty, can't you forgive me.
do try You say you don't care for Henry"
Then there Is such a splendid way to
prove it to him. Only you'd have to for
give me-
But l won't" came the voice, still muf-
fled behind the handkerchief.
We'll, don't forgive me then. But marry
take"
Marry you!"
las With you to reform me I'd be per-
feet angel. Won't you try it? Since you
won't be my sister. won't you. All, Lefty,
won't you be my wife,
Marry you, when a moment ago you
wanted me to marry your brother" sobbed
the voice. still unconvinced.
Wanted you to-" cried Nicholas. WANT
ed! Oh. Lefty you cannot imagine how 1
ry1ng any other man. For / love you so
dearly, sweetheart. Surely you know that.
You must know it; everybody else does. But
your happiness came first and for that.
But you say you don't care for him; then
isn't there chance, just the least chance
for me? Do YOU can you love me, even the
smallest bit? Lefty" in his excitement he
gave her a little shake. Answer me- Let
tyr
That night Nicholas and 1 composed a let
ter to Henry:
Dear Henry:
Il am sure that you will be interested to
learn of Miss Ferris engagement While
not yet formally announced, she wishes her
old friends to know of it and. of course,
you.
THE KID is perfectly delighted. as she is
to be bridesmaid: already she and Madge
and Lefty are quareling over the shapes
of the hats; but the wedding is not to take
place until June for, although 1 cannot see
anything unlucky in May-except, perhaps
its length-grls superstitious
Il hope you will be back by then and
ready to act as best man, for the groom. I
believe forgot to tell you, is your tremend-
ously lucky brother NICHOLAS"
But he never would have told her If It
hadn't been for me.