Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-20
CHAPTER X-Continued.

he rang lIIS p''i'
This" he acknowledged to himself is
the toughest proposition that ever l was
nm against. for sure" And then he rang
a white-faced girl met him at the door
a Girl whose beauty, he said to himself was
inferior to her picture. But he did not
could not know that this girl had spent
night after night, wide-eyed and despair
ing. and all on his account. He could rot
know all this.
Miss Peggy Robson welcomed him with
a smile She was a fairminded girl. she
recognized the fact that the unfortunate
situation was in no sense due to the 1auit
OF the man who stood before her Ana
beyond that, she entertained considerable
respect for Mr.. Ellington Okeefe.
Mrs. Patricia Jelffe Robson did not at
this juncture make her appearance. A
Slight breach of the proprieties, perhaps
and with more heightened caller, she
would have done other wise. But she knew
that Ellington Okeefe was there to see
her daughter, and that nothing would
please him more than to be alone with her
Mrs. Robson knew a thing or two. MISS
Robson intimted to the caller that her
mother would make her appearance later.
And so Constitutional Smith, impersonat-
ing rough and ready, genial gentle honest
Ellington O'keefe, sat in the small room
lust off the han and listened to all that
say And she had much to say.
MIR. O'Keefe,' she began in clear voice,
In which there was hardly note of hesita-
ton there are some things that l want
to say TO you, and when l nave said them
i hope you will understand me thoroughly.
If you do l know that you Will forgive me
thoroughly. l am going to ask your par
don first Mr. O'Keefe, for my rudeness of
the other night. Mother was shocked, but
l was overwrought. l never meant to say
those things. l don't know why L said
them l never stopped TO think. VIII you
pardon me for once?'
Mr. Smith, realizing the fact that 1t was
an easy task, Immediately nodded his head
and begged her to go on.
Mr., OKeefe,' she went on, 'you-you
have asked me good many times to
marry you. l know that l have refused
you many times. But l don't want you to
think that l do not appreciate the honor
yes, honor-which you confer upon me. l
know that there are lots of girls here in
town who would give anything almost to
TO marry you"
Mr. Smith blushed. mo, no. he insisted,
don't say that" The girl smiled in spite
of herself. Il ought to be very grateful to
you myself. 1 understand that. And 1 am
grateful. But before 1 say any more, /
want to tell you now that l accept your
offer, Mr.. O'keefe. and that l will marry
you If you will have me after what l am
going to say
Mr.. Smith carefully depressed any senti-
ments of Joy that might have arisen to his
lips instead he pulled out his pocket
handkerchief and wiped his brow"
Yes miss, was all he deigned to say,
''go on"
You know already" said Miss Peggy,
that really do not love you. 1 know
that 1 respect you and that Ives, that 1
admire you. l know that you are congenial
and good-hearted and gentle. and that you
would always be a good husband to any
girl / know, too, that l would try to make
you good wife. 1t is possible. Mr. OKeefe,
that some day would really love YOU"
Exactly, answered Constitutional
Smith, feeling as he might If he were in
Ito be sure. Some day. No doubt" Again
he wiped his brow.
But" went on the girl at Is but right
that you should know the whole truth. 1t
is your right. You have always been hon
est and open-hearted with me, and now,
before any mistake is made, l want to be
very honest with you. l have told you that
do not love you. There's more reason for
that than you may think. 1t Is because I
am IN love with-with somebody else"
isis he in-love with you" gasped Mr.
smith seeing a possible opening.
The girl flushed slightly. "He-he is."
everything. It's John Lorimer. the chem
Smith slightly started. "Lorimer." he
exclaimed, putting his hand to his head,
to be sure Yes. yes. John Lorimer. on.
yes He had remembered. Hes young
man with fine voice. l know him"
of course you know him." answered the
girl, looking at him with a queer express
sion of countenance. Mr.. Smith straight
ened up.
And then" he prompted
The girl smiled sadly and shook her head.
That's all-that's the whole story" she
returned I've told you everything I've
been honest with you. You know just what
to expect. But ! promise you that 1 Will
do my best-I will be good wife-not so
good as others might be, but I'll do my
best. Mr.. OKeefe. And i've made up my
mind. And l shall be glad to marry you
II you will have me under those conditions
and after hearing what have said. can
not Justify my position-I cannot explain 1t.
Many people might think / was playing a
queer part. ] cannot help it-they do not
understand. All that l know Is that you
have asked me to marry you and have
told you everything there is to tell. And 1
shall marry you If you will haye me. /
cannot say anything more"
She sat silent for instant. Mr.. Smith
embarrassed and she knew 1t. She
misconstrued his embarrassment. She rose
and went to him and held out her hand.
He took Il. and released 1t almost imme-
diately. He was thinking the thing out.
Now he knew the facts. He read easily be-
tween the sentences This was easier than
no had anticipated. Yet he must be wary.
He knew that the woman whom he had TO
deal with was not this woman, but another
"a woman of the name of Patricia Jellire
Robson.
Finally he bowed somewhat stif'iy to the
girl. Tiff could only see your mother,
he announced. Il want to do whatever Is
customary. II want to talk to her. She
comes first. l suppose" he added tenta-
lively.
Yes" assented the girl, "she comes first
first and last"
The girl left him alone and sent her
mother in. Constitutional Smith picked
from the table book that he had laid
there.
Mrs. Robson. madam" he gravely
said, Il have followed your directioRs.- I
have brought you this new book, The
Chilled Soul May you enjoy IT.
BE seated. Mr.. O'Keefe," insisted Mrs.
Robson, with an air. be seated" Mr..
Smith complied with the request.
Mrs. Robson" he continued, I'm a
business man. plain, blunt sort of
business man" This was a saying of
Ellington O'Keefes. IT'S only right to
you TO say that have proposed marriage
to your daughter. and that she has, in a
sort OF qualified way. accepted me"
Accepted your exclaimed Mrs. Robe
son, with an astonished air. Dear me,
you surprise me. Mr.. OKeefe. Why how
long has this been going on? The sly
girl. She never told me a word of all
this. And you. too of all men. Why din't
you tell me before? Dear me-"
Yes, ma'am." said Constitutional
Smith. ('Gee, she's finn Hammer" he
commented inwardly) And so II seemed
to me just well to come to you and