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

in Ms arms. He kissed her again apa
again. His restraint was quite gone. His
breath was heavy with wine, and she
shrank from him half frightened.
What IL It. darlingf' he asked. wen
get away safely-if that Smith doesn't
manage to appear. as he has at everything
SO far. He laughed. with his arm still
| Edtha seemed to be awakening from Q
| dream. She was leaving her home for .
man whose very touch made her shivsr.
She had not known II would be like this.
Her one impulse was to escape.
oh Reginald. take me back! Forgive
me. but don't want to be married like
thiSt l."
MY dearest. you're just a little nervous.
Tomorrow you'll be glad didn't mind
you." he laughed. kissing her again.
| She struggled to free herself. her fear
| turned to anger. Reginald De Kaye let
| me go this instant! No. don't love you!
| l was mistaken. II you really loved me
you'd take me back before It's too latei
Mr.. Smith would take me back-stop-" A
queer. deadening grayness seemed TO be
| floating around her. She wondered IL she
was fainting. She never had tainted
A light few past the carriage window.
ment. The wheels ground and crushed over
something. The carriage stopped with q
| jerk that threw her from her seat The
door was opened from the outside. Peter
| her upon the curbing.
De Kaye jumped out and hurried toward
him. threatening and cursing. With q
| swift movement Smith laid hold of his col
| lar and dragged him out OF Editha's sight
| behind the carriage. She caught the older
mans words. abduction" and your past"
| to her again: No. not even to say good
| bye" De Kaye ended by ordering the
| driver to catch the IL 10 train: the carriage
| dashed off down the street.
Smiths bicycle lay wrecked on the pave
| ment. where the carriage wheels had
crushed it He left ii where 1t was and
| helped Editha to her feet. She was trem-
| bling so she could hardly stand, and leaned
| on him heavily. The street was quiet
one. and the rescue quick that they had
attracted no attention. After short walk
Editha did not speak. but her eyes 'Ques-
toned him.
Il kept you in sight from the moment
you started" he said gently. 81 didn't
| dare stop you TIL was sure you had time
| to realize what you were doing. You might
not have come back with me-"
.o Editha shudde sN; But my note" she
| his pocket and handed it to her. She tore
| 1t up quickly.
Il slipped into your room and got It be-
| had left one. Nobody but you and 1 will
ever know anything about it, and we'll
forget 1t as soon as you are safe home
again" She hid her face In her hands. but
he continued to talk soothingly. You
! mustn't reproach yourself. My presence
| here helped drive you to 1t. I'd have gone
| the moment 1 saw 1 couldn't teach you to
care for me. only had known De Kaye in
New York and thought L saw what his
game was. He'll not trouble you again,
and I'll go away tomorrow"
Editha scarcely breathed. He was going
| away!
| His quiet voice went on, We'll get out
| here and walk the rest Of the way SO that
| If the others are home we can say we've
been for a stroll. If they haven't come yet
you can run upstairs and get this travelling
| dress out of sight"
| Editha >obeyed him like child. They
| went leisurely up the walk to the front
door. He opened 1t for her with his latch
| key and then sat down to wait
She came down again in her white dress.
| and he led her into the garden. She chung
| to his arm: she had ceased trembling. but
her lashes were heavy with tears.
II cant, ever tell you about 1t; can't
Don't. Editha-I couldn't bear It. Nothing
| has happened and I'm going away tomor-
| row. LIE me just walk with you tonight.
| VIII you have this white rose2 His voice
| made her heart stand still. She stood look
| ing at him with his rose in her hand.
but something has happened! You must
| not go. want you to stay" His face was
stern as he replied:
II must go. I can't take gratitude
ut is not gratitude-it ISL"
Hello. you moonlit sentimentalistsr"
| They turned to see the doctor and his wife
approaching. Peter Smith greeted them
| brightly.
Same to you! have the Lady Editha
OuI Ill tue dlT ueT uedudCue.
II see. but it's bedtime for everybody"
ut is not" he commended; I'VE shall
! stay here good hour yet, but you may be
dismissed. By the by. doctor, think may
have to run to New York tomorrow-wfll
| talk it over after breakfast. Good night"
| The doctor looked at him curiously.
Goodnight" he said, as his wife pulled
| at his arm As he passed Editha he stop
ped to murmur:
ASK him to stay, Elder
The girls white figure was outlined
OF met hoc ~ oil hoI-
| lyhocks. Peter Smith stood looking down
| at her.
"Will you stay?" she asked simply
He lifted her hand and kissed the white
in