Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-03
CHAPTER I-Continued.

CHAPTER I-Continued.
With many an obstacle 70 keep them
asunder. there was yet one ovcrpowerinS
force TO link .neir lives. In his moments
OF graves. d.scoUra cement Fame found 1t
impossible to think of throwing up the de-
tai and going elsewhere, so long as she was
here. If only, he thought and prayed, II
only he could meet her and talk with her,
win her confidence-he knew he had her
faith and friendship-even such unappre-
ciated toll as his might yet; through her
sympathy, be blessed and gloriied. Day
and night he thought of her, dreamed of
her, lived for her, bearing the poor mothers
querulous complaints, the sisters scorn of
her surroundings, the sense of utter incon-
gruity in his strange lot, the sings and
arrows of odd, if not outrageous, fortune
bearing all that he might sometimes see
her lovely face, breathe the air she breathed
and live in hope of speaking again with
her uninterrupted and alone.
And at last marvel of the marvellous, the
time had come. At the base of this little
cedarcrested cliff and at this sweet houf
of early sunshine, before the busy day was
fairly begun at the brink. of this beautiful,
placid, mst-breathing mirror, one DAINTY
foot perched on a little boulder at the edge
of the tapping waters, her hat hanging by
it's strings from her wrist her eyes liked
upon the distant shore, there stood the girl
of his dreamland, and at sound OF his SWIFT
coming she turned, startled. and through
swimming tears there was not time to brush
away looked straight into the eager, light
ing face of the man she knew to be her
lover 1t was too late to deny him. 1t was
too unlike her to think of flight.
They told me you were in Chicago, she
said very simply, as she withdrew her hand,
also the swimming eyes, for both his clasp
and gaze were ardent.
Il was" he answered until last night.
l went with Col. West that far and in hopes
of meeting a brace of our trustees, but they
had gone, and he, to my sorrow, is going.
rs she SO ill.,?
The eyes were drying now but it was still
unsafe to look at him.
THE doctor says she must have long
sea voyage They sail next week. L feel
as though my only friend and advocate were
leaving me-
Not that. Mr. Fane-Capt. Fane!' she
corrected herself, with a shadow of smile
II hear from many people who are in posi-
ton to know of the great work you are
doing with the students and the interest
you have inspired
Among many, yes" he answered; "but
what makes 1t calling is that so many
others are. allowed to evade duty and then
to triumph over those who have to attend.
1t breeds discomfort and trouble. But
that is not what l should be talking with
you about. There are a thousand things l
wish to ask. to know, for, believe me, l
know nothing" And in his eagerness Fame
haQ stepped close 10 HeT SlUe, MS VOICE, HIS
lips trembling a bit he did She
noted both and drew back pace, whereat
he followed.
Don't ask; don't-know," she answered.
Il never speak of it to anybody. Moreover,
L should not see you here, or anywhere, in
fact" Then bravely she looked up and at
him. She spoke abruptly: You know me
well enough to know that had 1 dreamed
of your coming here l would not have
come. know you, 1 believe, well enough
to say that l am going now and you are not
to follow. That is the way to Cedar Point.
is it not? Thank you-yes good-morning,
captain.' And leaving him half stupefied,
she turned away.
Not ten steps had she taken when with
prodigious splash something heavy and
massive, hurled from overhead, plunged
into the ripping surface close at hand,
showering him and sprinkling her with
spray. scramble of footballs, a smoker
ing laugh, sound of swapping twgs and
slashing branches came from the ledge
above them Quick the leap of a
panther Fame darted into a little pathway
that led to the back of the rocks. Three
or four supple forms went bounding away
through the underbrush. One young fell
low, less lucky, stumbled, sprawled at
length and before he could spring again
to his feet Fane's grasp was his coat
collar, and, with fury in his eyes, the young
officer whrled him about in the effort to
see his face
Let me go, you! You've no
rlght to maui me-" savagely, desperately
cTled the prisoner, and a furious unge SUD-
plemented the words. Fane's answer was
to thrust his fingers within the shirt collar.
too, and further to the front. Now the cap
tive had to look up, and a livid, scared,
s~eating lace II was, and one that Fame
knew at a glance
Slowly. gradually the young officer loosen
eo MS grasp upon the culprit his eyes still
burning into the fellows hang-dog face.
IL was moment before he could command
himself to speak:
But for the fact that I have reason To
know you and your name' said he IT
should march you to the president as YOU
are. You are Stetson, mechanical engineer
ing student-the man that submitted that
lying physicians certificate. Now go,'
The scowl blackened on the swollen
quivering face and the instinct of the
plackguard Missed in every word The an
swer came with a curse:
GU can't prove the half on me- by God
'hat can prove on you-and I'll do it."
Perhaps 1t was Gods mercy that Fame
mad but single arm available