Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-06

floated out to him moekingly. He Won
dered whether Evelyn was there, as he
passed on. beating the rocky path with his
stick.
Evelyn was not there, but her destination
was that particular lawn and its tea table.
Turning fresh bend in the path he came
upon her. He had had no thought of seeing
her; yet she was coming down the path to-
ward him. her picture hat framed In the
dome Of blue parasol. He had renowned
her for all time and he should greet her
guardedly: but the blood was singing In
his temples and throbbing in his finger tips
at the sight Of her.
This is too bad" she exclaimed as they
met. II hope you can come back to the
house."
She walked straight up to him and gave
him her hand in her quick, frank way.
I'm sorry. but 1 must go in to town on
this next train.' he answered. He turned
in the path and walked along beside her.
This happened to be one of our scatter
ing days for all except father.
I'VE had a nice talk, he and I. Your place
| is charming"
came to the villa where the tea drinkers
| were assembled.
Don't let me detain you. I'm sure you
were going to join these lotus EATERS
Il don't believe they need me- she an
swered. evasively. 'They seem pretty busy.
But If you're hungry. or thirsty, can get
something for you there" They passed the
| gate. walking slowly along. He knew that
| must hurry on to catch his train: but it
was too sweet to be near her: this was the
| last time. and it was his own!
Il seem to remember your tea drinking
ways" she said You use only sugar and
| the hot water
But that was in the winter he re-
| sponded. He wished she had not referred
| to that afternoon. when he had been weak
was steaming slowly into the bay. 1t was
| a pretty. white plaything. and they paused
and commended it's good qualities with the
easy certainty Of superficial knowledge
They walked on, passing the lighthouse
| and slowly nearing the entrance to Red
Gables. She led the talk easily, and her
| lfght-heartedness added to his Depression
every step he took was an error; but he
, would leave her at the gate when they
| came to 1t and go on to the village and his
train. She paused abruptly and looked
across a meadow which lay between them
and the Red Gables orchard.
II really believe It's q COW; yes 1t is a
cow" she declared. with quiet conviction.
Il thought 1t was yacht. Was / as
dull as that?' he demanded.
BE 1t far from me to say; but I was
getting little GREATNESS. Even the pro-
fessional monologists in the vaudeville have
to rest"
He was not in humor for frivolous
conversation; but she had never been so
gay He had committed himself to general
chaos, and yet she was smiling amid the
ruin of the world.
II don't believe there are any letter boxes
along here" she continued, looking straight
ahead. He remembered his letter; he was
stupidity carrying 1t in his hand; his fingers
were cramped from their clutch upon it.
1t was not easy to resist her mood and he
now laughed In spite OF himself.
I'm disappointed. ] thought they had
all the necessities Of a successful summer
resort here-even mails"
Rather poor. don't you think? suppose
you were carrying the letter to get an
opening for that"
They paused and John held open the
little gate in the stone wall. He was grave
again, and something Of his seriousness
communicated itself to her. Clearly, he
thought, this was the parting OF the ways.
He had not relaxed his hold upon the let
ter; 1t was a straw at which he clutched for
support.
won't you come In? There are plenty of
trains, and we'd like you to dine with u.s."
A great wave of loneliness and yearning
swept over him. Her invitation seemed to
create new and limitless distances that
stretched between them. In fumbling with
the latch OF the gate he had dropped his
letter. The wind caught and carried it out
into the grass.
He went soberly after 1t and picked 1t up.
There was logged resignation in his step
as he walked slowly across the grass.
she sat down on a rustic bench and waited
for him.
1.-THE fates don't agree with you about
the letter. Mr.. Saxton. You were looking
for q letter box and they tried to thwart
you."
I'm not superstitious." said John. smil-
ing q little,