Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-31

dignity of their past intercourse in the Of
fee watched with satisfaction her gradual
yielding to the spirit of the last, mad night
of the old year. 1t was all so new, so diff
ferent from anything she had ever seen, and
she betrayed her interest, plying him with
questions with all the abandon of a child
surrounded by new and marvellous toys. The
usual pallor in her face was replaced by
delicate pink flush. Her eyes turned bright,
her lips curved delightfully."- when she
laughed.
Lynde caught himself watching the girl
with a new and curious interest He had
always admired her in distant, impersonai
way, as rather pleasing touch In their
grim Office life. But this was different
girl. 1t was girl who might
That's my advice-marry!'
His uncle's words rang in his ears with
nexplicable persistency. He had not thought
of the injunction since he had left that gen.
teman's private office, but now Nonsense!
He hadn't known the girl or rather this
phase of her character, for three hours. And
then suddenly there swept over him a polg-
nant sense of regret that he had known her
so short time. How many weeks, nay,
months, he had wasted when every moment
should have countedi
After dinner they Joined the swaying,
shouting throngs on the sidewalks, and here
Lynde found himself obsessed by great
happiness in the right to protect the girl
clinging to his arm. Down old Broadway
they swung. She had horn tucked under
crowd to make use of the toy. Her hat had
been turned by the wind to a rakish angle.
The satin-finished braids had become loos-
ened, and delightful tendris of soft, golden
hair framed her face, alight with interest
and amusement.
isn't this perfectly glorous?' she cried
in Harry's ear.
And glorious, glorious" echoed a strong
insistent voice within him. The blood ran
riotously through his veins. He flung his
head and drew her arm closely through his.
Glorious?' Yes, she was glorious, and he
had very nearly missed the momentous fact.
The chimes rang out the old year and
welcomed in the new. Other bells and
whistles and mad voices drowned old Trim
ity in an orgy of sound. Then the crowd
swung back, breaking for cars and ferries
and trains.
Lynde was plotting Helene skilIfully
through the crush when suddenly a huge,
lurching figure drew up in their path, and a
thick voice exclaimed:
'Hello Here's the pretty typewriter cross
the hall! Seem life, little un? Lookin
great-lookin' fine-got t. give you New
Years kiss
1t was all over in a minute! The laugh
ing faces in the throng closing round them
turned grave, the heavy figure of the drunk
en- man bent forward, a straight, sure arm
struck out with unwavering aim, and there
were cries for police, a din that seemed to
rise above chimes, bells and whistles, and
then-Helene found herself in cab. A
policeman was closing the door. A strong,
firm arm was supporting her and deep,
impetuous voice was pouring words into her
ear that somehow did not seem at all
strange unexpected. 1t was all a part
of the new year, the new life, he told her.
James Allerton Grey stood in front of the
unpretentious door of the Ormesby apart
ments at the Glendale He hesitated, even
as his hand was raised to touch the button.
He was taking very serious step. Perhaps
he should have brought his lawyer, or at
least a witness. Then he remembered the
big, empty house he had just left Yes, de-
cidedly, the home needed a mistress worthy
of the setting, so he pressed the button:
After the gloom of the hall the brilliant
sunlight which flooded the little drawing
room almost blinded him. But presently
his gaze adjusted itself to slender,
slightly stopping figure, crowned by snow
white hair. over which was draped a deli
cate lace scarf. and by her side. the more
familiar figure. straight. tall and 1.-the, and
lowering in the background-yes, 1t was
Harry
He returned their greetings in perfume
terry fashion. He could not understand
why his nephew drew forward Mrs. Ormes-
bys chair in a protecting fashion, or why
his hand rested for a moment on the back
of the chair which Helene had taken. They
were talking of the old-fashioned New Year
custom of calling. Mrs. Ormesby had
brought forth some quaint old cut-glass
and a low salver of cakes. She was say
ing tnat Sne ndu uSeu THESE Oh lIle very
day when. at her mothers New Year re-
ception. Mr.. Ormesby had asked her to
marry him. But Mr.: Grey was watching
Harry. What the devil had come over
the boy? What was that new light in his
eyes? Had the wine been too strong? Mr.
Grey slipped it critically. 1t was certainly
mild.
Talk about history repeating ITSELF,
said Harry. looking into Helene's eyes
1T was New Years morning when-"
TIL, girl blushed beautifully and her
mother coughed apologetically.
Your uncle
Il know-I didn't tell him this morning.
[ wanted to surprise him when he came
this afternoon. You see. Uncle Jim, I'm