Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
,rous Play of Brother and Sister.

DIRE W oil his wet SOChS, anu Win SiSiiS VI
prodlgious comfort endued himself with the
consolation of warm wooden upon his feet.
not hurrying himself greatly in SO much as
he wished to think over certain things be-
fore he betook him to the warm parlor and
sisterlv tete-a-tete to which he had been
invited.
That he did not love Yvette Foy and that
he did love Flower-o -the-Cern-so much
was clear to him. But. all the same, there
was a feeling in his heart both angry and
Indignant. What had he done that she
should thus treat him an outcast-hold
him not only at distance. but refuse to
come near him. as though he carried the
pestilence about with him?
Yet there was in him no thought of I'M
truth No. he was all in favor of pure
''sisterly affection and the commerce Of
souls. without knowing poor lad) that these
things are vain between men and women
unless provided for by the family circle and
the parish register.
Yvette Foy, on the contrary. had no such
fraterno-sororial Illusions She understood
making love. its beginning, middle and end,
as it were; it's high, low, jack and game!
But as to anything milder-no, thank you!
She would leave that for girls like-well,
like Frances Wildwood, whom they called
Flower-o the-Corn.
And she looked In the mirror as she ar
ranged her hair. just long enough to catch
the scarlet dash of her red ripe lips upon
the ivory of her face. They were smiling
scornfully, and she liked to see them so.
She looked across to where Frances Well
wood was busily reading books out of her
fathers library in which (strange as it may
appear she found at that time her chiefest
diversionl
She looked up at her friend looping up and
arranging cunningly the great dark masses
of her hair.
Why have you to go down again." she
asked; surely you have had enough to fret
III loyr A,,I NIL 80 do
anything to help you. 1 could cry for very
idlenessi'
Yvette went over to Frances Wildwood
quickly and kissed her.
Dearest she said, II did not bring YOU
hither but for to give you such rest and
peace as you need. Rest thee, then, honey
sweetnessl 1 am but a poor innkeepers
daughter and 1t behooyes that 1 attend
upon my guests! Pardon me that l leave
your!
And so, snatching up the warm socks and
slippers from the hearth. she went out.
For my father and his friends" she said
they wait for me!''
And so she vanished with a lovely and
loving smile upon her face And Frances
Wildwood thought within herself that
never since the world began had there been
given to any girl a friend so dear and I'M
selfish as this Yvette Foy of the village Of
La Cavalerie.
And as she thought a tear stole down
from under her long dropped Iashes-per-
haps for the love she bore her friend-per-
haps for the lack of something which was
not in her life, but which, even in it's own
despite her soul longed.
Then peacefully and sweetly Yyette as
ever did any maiden, went down. She had
told no lie with the tongue. Her father was
beneath. and she had gone to attend on the
needs of his guests.
She found Maurice Raith with the ra-
diant face which unexpected kindness al
ways produces upon the unspoilt and really
supplemented
why are you so kind TO mep'' he said
quickly.
Impllsively and like young girl, Yvette
held out both her hands for him to take
Because" she said frankly, IT have no
need one SOL,
But the pastors daughter-Mistress
Wellwood?' suggested Maurice.
1nstinctively Yvette knew that to say
word against Flower-o' -the-Corn would
undo all that had been done
She looked about wildly. and then speak
ing as II constrained to utterance. she
murmured: Must 1 confide in you?"
He looked at her slaughtered. o,iet
reliable. as one who could keep all secrets.
either Of his own or other peoples.
Well" she whispered in his ear, this Is
a secret which must be kept-most of all
from Frances Wildwood. Her father is
here as spy and a traitor.'
Maurice gasped.
'Impossible," he began ct have known
him He stopped. He was but Pierre
the WAGNER and had no right to reveal the
secrets of the late chaplain of Ardmillan's
regiment.
Il believe it." she said. II have discover
ed his past-all of 1t. | know whence he
came and that ne is here without any au-
thorlty from his superiors, either of the
church or of the army
she waited for her words to take effect
and then continued. The sentences. as if
driven from her by the stress of circum-
stances, We're punctuated by the great salt
tears dropping down her checks
or Ill !,
cannot! She is SO sweet and good. 1t
would XIII her. | dare not tell the Carni
sards chiefs or Jean Cavalier or my father.
Ihey would have his life on the instant.
And-oftentlmes do not think hardly of mel
i am so driven that 1 know not what 70
do. 1 am only girl you see"
she was sobbing now undisguisedIv the
great understanding gasps almost like those
Maurice stepped forward quickly ana cangbt
her about the slender body No man least
OF all no brother. could have done less
DO not-do not" he stammered eagerly.
perhaps you do the man wrong"-
oh. indeed. If l could believe II bou
harpy would l bei' sighed Yvette. but 7
have here first-hand evidence of the mans
sult. lie Is in correspondence with the
turer' ~ '-e Ia
And on the back Of an unopened enveIone
sealed with a coat of arms appeared the
signature Aug de Ia Baume" the family
chal of France
Maurice turned the missive thourhtf,I1,,
over and over in his hand. His brow dark
ened. "ai n
The mtss've was clearly addressed N
Mons lie Pasteur Patrick Wildwood dir de
Geneve.' And in the corner was written In
the same hand as the signature "To be de-
Hvered only into the hand of the person ad-
dressed ii S''-
What must do? Oh what must doo"
sobbed fvette, her bosom swelling and the
great globed tears chasing each other swift
~ down her checks lam only a girl
girl In the midst of mems affairs and ali
alone And-you are the only one whom
dare to consult"
- our father?' suggested Maurice
me girl made little contemptuous move
ment. very characteristic
Yes. she said. IF / wanted to see the
blood or Patrick Wildwood staining rho
Ioad one hour after-then / would go 10 nv
Iather Indeed. might as well go to Cati
nat put instead have come to YOU
ANA she raised her great eyes TO his rich
NelNety black, brimming with unshed tears
Ihan which eyes can look no more entranc.
ingly. e Gill '''ie-
Il come to ask you," she said And
smlled-ever so family.
This time she was successful. There
was no restraining music upon the street
now, no chanted psalm to stay the kiss