Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-02
The Plot ThickenS,


threw his arm across my shoulder. And
why shouldn't he have been glad? We had
been boys together, played hooky many
school-time afternoon. gone over the same
fishing grounds, plunged~ into the same
swimming holes, and smoked our first cigar
in the rear of my fathers barn; and 1t is
the recollection of such things that cements
all the more strongly friendship in man
and man. We recalled a thousand episodes
and escapades, the lickings got, and the
lickings others got in our stead, the pretty
school teacher whom we swore to wed when
we grew up. Nobody else had a chance to
get a word in edgewise. But Nancy laugh
ed aloud at times She had been a witness
to many of these long-ago pranks.
What! you are not going to the ball?'
1 asked, observing that he wore only IA
dinner coat and pair of morocco slippers.
mo ball for me. Just as soon as you
people HE forth off comes this billed shirt,
and l shall probably meander around the
house in my new silk pajamas. 1 shall read
a little from Homer-Jack, let me have the
key to that locked case; I've an idea that
there must be some robust old, merry old
tales hidden there-and smoke few pipes.
But you are not going TO leave Mrs.
Warburton and your sister to come home
without escOrt?" l expostulated.
Where the deuce are you two men go
ing?' Robert asked, surprised. Somehow,
l seemed to catch a joyful rather than "a
sorrowful note in his tones.
''An important conference at midnight,
and heaven only knows how long 1t may
last said Jack Il wish you would go
along, Bob"
pretty little wife He has got to stay
now, whether he will or no. William will
see to it that we women get home all
right" and she busted herself with the
salad dishes.
Suddenly l caught Roberts eye, and we
stared hard at each other
Chuck, you old pirate " he said present
ly, what do you near by coming around
and making love to my sister and getting
her to promise to marry you? You know
you aren't good enough for her"
l confess to no small embarrassment. Il
i know it,!
What do you mean by it, them
"Why-er-that is Confound you, Bob,
l couldn't help it. and besides l didn't
want to help it! And if you want to have
it out
"Oh. pshaw. You know just as we'll as I
do that it is against the law to hit man
that wears glasses. Well call it quits if
you'll promise that in the days to come
you'll let me hang around your hymeneal
shack once in a while
why. if you put it that way!'--and we
were laughing and shaking hands again
across the table, much to the relief of all
concerned.
whole world see how much l love you. For
where exists mans strength if not in the
pride of his love?
What time does the kid get to sleep?'
asked Robert
He ought to be asleep now" said Mrs.
w I'VE shall not reach the embassy until
after 10. We have reception first and we
must leave cards there. Won't you be
lonesome here. Bobby"
Not the least in the world and Bobby
began TO laugh.
whats the joker I asked
He looked at me sharply, then shook his
head. TN tell you all about it tomorrow,
Chuck. It's the kind of joke that has to
boil a long time before it gets tender
enough to serve
I'd give a good deal to know what is
going on behind those eyes of yours, Bob
Nancy's eyes searched him ruthlessly, but
she might just well have tried to pierce
a stone wall. you have been laughing all
day about something, and I'd like to know
what about. It's mischief L haven't known
you all these years for nothing NOW, don
do anything silly, Bob.
Nancy -reproachfully-'I am man al
most thirty; | have passed the Rubicon of
cutting up tricks. Go to the bail, you
beauty, dance and revel to your hearts
content; your brother Robert will manage
to pass away the evening. Don't forget
the key to that private case. Jack as the
women left the table to put the fihlslhhg
touches to their toilets
Here you are said Jack. But nina,
you must put those books back as you
found them, and lock the case. They are
rare editions.
with the accent on the rare, no doubt:
Il am student, pure and simple SAID
Jack lowering his eyes.
Il wouldn't swear to these adsectives'
returned the scalawag. If l remember,
you had the reputation of being nigh
jnks man in your class at Princeton
Sh. Dent you dare to drag forth any
of those fool corpses of college, or out you
l.,,yc Ia
ously around the room and toward the hall.
MY dear fellow, your wife wouldn't be-
lieve me, matter what L said against
your character. Isn't that right, Chuck?
Jack you are lucky dog, if there ever
was one. A handsome wife who loves you.
a kid, fine home, and plenty of horses l
wonder if you married her for her money!
Jacks eyes narrowed. He seemed to
muse Yes, | believe l can do 1t as easily
as l did fifteen years ago
DO wh2t?" | asked.
"Wallop that kid brother of mine. Bob.
l hope you'll fall desperately in love some
day, and that you will have devil of Il
time winning the girl. You need something
to stir up your vitals. BY George, and L
hope she won't have cent of money"
"Lovable brother that!' Bob knocked
the ash from his cigar and essayed at
laughter which wasn't particularly feltci-
tous. "Supposing l was in love, now. and
that the girl had heaps of money, and all
thai -"
and all that" mimicked tie elder
brother. What does and all that mean?'
"Oh, shut upr'
well / hope you are in love. 1t serves
you right. You've made more than one girls
heart ache, you good-loolling ruffiani''
Then we switched over to pnlitics, and
Robert became an interested listener
Quarter of an hour later the women re
turned, and certainly they made picture
which was most satisfactory to the mascu-
line eye. All, thou eager-fingered Time,
that shall, in days to come. wither the
roses in my beautys cheeks, dim the
fire in my beauty's eyes, draw my
beautys bow lips inward. tarnish the
golden hair, and gnarl the slender, shapely
fingers, little shall heed you in your pass
ing if you but leave the heart untouched!
Bob jumped to his feet and kissed them
both, a thing / lacked the courage to do.
How pleased they looked! How a woman
loves f1attery from those she loves.
Well, William is in front with the car
riage; the women are putting their
cloaks. and I am admiring the luxurious
crimson fur-lined garment which brother
Robert had sent to Nancy from Paris. You
will see by this that he was not altogether
a thoughtless lad. Goodbye, Mr.. Robert;
leave you and your guiding star to bolt the
established orbit; for after this night the
world will never be the same careless,
happy go-lucky world. The farce has its
tragedy. and what tragedy is free of the
ludificatory? Youth must it's course,
a1ra bae WILD hrn rio ont