Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-18

for himT He did listen; he told you of his
ridiculous doubts OF you. What right has
ne TO doubt you. to make conditions. TO de-
mand explanations? Explanations from a
woman like your
he has a right"
He has no right-he's a beggar Mt your
table! III he can't hold you, It's his fault,
not yours. And he can't hold you-he's too
weak every wayi An. could hold you!''
fes-perhaps even beat met
lie looked at her, his eyes agleam.
Perhaps he agreed, his mouth working
with eagerness. Perhaps should. But Il
did you would stab me in the night
again; she gazed a him. half-fascinated.
=, Yes, she said intensely; ''yes-I should
like to do Il now,'
HIS eyes flashed with sudden triumph
ANA yet you think yours in love with
Drysdale" he cried. did he ever awaken
a wish like that in you?"
NO; thank God! and she shivered
slightly.
He was radiant. assured.
Nor any other feeling except baby
liking! Yet you yield 10 his fanc.e. right:
you promise TO explain to him! And 1t
was 10 do that you came here tonight"
who told you that?''
He did,"
Then why isn't he here?"
He preferred to commune with nature"
Tremaine answered, in an ndescribab bic
tone. Think OF any man preferring nature
TO you-preferring anything to you - life.
honor-anything, Do you know what I'm
In my arms and hold you fast and kiss
you on those red lips of yours-kiss you,
kiss you"
He was half out of his chair. leaning over
her. Another instant-but his ears caught
the opening OF a door.
Here comes Delroy." he said In another
tone. rising suddenly his hands grpped
tense!y al his sides. 'D-n him.
She lay back In her chair, relaxed sud-
denly, painting with exhaustion.
I'm CO." he added hoarsely. 81 can't
keep up the farce of polite conversation
besides have some letters to write. Good
night
For an hour or more Delroy sat alone
before the fire reading. At last he yawned.
laid down his book, arose and walked 10
the door The wind was rising; he could
hear il roaring in the trees; and every
minute broad fash of lightning illumined
the clouds on the horizon.
There's storm coming" he said to
Thomas, who was nodding at his post. Il
wonder where the devil Drysdale went?
He'd better be getting in pretty SOON"
AS though in answer to the thought, a
dark figure appeared suddenly on the walk,
strobe up the steps and opened the door.
1t was Drysdale.
He took off his coat threw II to Thomas
and went on into the inner hail. where he
stood rubbing his hands before the fire.
with face SO hopeless. fierce. despairing,
that Delroy was fairly startled.
You may go to bed. Thomas" he said
then he went to Drysdale and laid hand
upon his shoulder What's the matter
Jack%" he asked. You're looking regu-
larry done up
Drysdale turned with a start
'Oh, it's you. is It, Dickie7 Where 10
Grace?"
Upstairs with my wife"
Where has she been this evening"
Shes been down here talking with Tre-
maine most Of the time-but l say-hold
on-what ails the fellow?" he demanded
staring after the other he bounded up
the stairs. We'll. that beats met
9th .~tv, f>ra..
peared the landing and came down, a
packet of letters in his hand.
II want to put these in the bag he said,
$50 they'll get off by the early mail"
Its the rack out there" Delroy re-
piled, and the other went past him into
the outer hall. He was back In a mo-
ment.
That's a good evenings work. he said,
with sigh of satisfaction. But what's
the matter? You look though you'd
seen ghost"
'Drysdale came in just now looking as
though hed seen one. all nerves and raw
f1esh-and stalked upstairs as mad as a hor-
net about something.
"Ah,' said Tremaine. with just the flicker
of an eyelash, land yet one would have
thought that a walk through the silence of
the night would calm his nerves There
comes the rain.''
There was hiss, flash and great
crash of thunder split the armament apart
and shook the house to Its foundations.
They could hear the rain dashing in sheets
against the windows.
That's storm for sure; listen to the
wind. Drysdale got in just in time But
l never saw him like that before: some
thing extraordinary must have happened
to him. He's been out of humor
for a day or two. l wonder, now.
if he was caught in that steel crash?
BY Joye, / did hear him say that he d
bought a block of stock on Margin
CLEAN of triumph indescribable flashed
into Tremaines eyes.
That may explain It," he said with
studied carelessness.
"Yes-but it doesn't excuse It, If a man
can't keep his temper when he loses, he
hasn't any business TO speculate. Hello.
who's thar
Some one was pounding at the outer door.
Delroy strobe to Il and threw back the bolt.
It flew open and young Graham staggered
rather than walked into the hall. hatless.
coatless, soaked with rain, his eyes staring.
his face rigid with horror.
Good God, man: what is it?" cried Del
roy.
He opened his mouth, but only low
rumbing came from his throat.
Gomez cried Delroy sharply. BE a
man! What is it?'
BY mighty effort Graham pulled HIM
self together.
Fathers killed. he whispered hoarsely.
Ito be continued tomorrow