Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-23
you play something while am waiting for
Aunt Lisa

you play something while am waiting for
Aunt Lisa
But as she stepped forward to open the
piano she recollected herself, and the BAN
tering expression left her face.
II am very sorry" she said. quietly, but
forgot myself for the moment. / am only
the housekeeper here"
NO. really?' But she recognized with
pleasure which surprised herself that there
was more of incredulity than consterna-
ton in his voice.
"Yes-but here comes your aunt now.
Good morning.
The next evening the young man called
on his Aunt Lisa again. And the next DAY,
and after that two or three times each
week. Aunt Lisa was pleased with his de-
votion. gave him small errands to execute
and allowed him to turn her music while
she played. and chess-loving Uncle van
Maurice grew more and more urbane, ana
actually told him after an especially dull
evening that he really played a good game
The young man went through it all
heroicaIly, and never even by change or
expression indicated that he was bored
And for reward he saw Miss Esther several
times in the distance, and once actuahy
spoke to her as she passed through the haii.
why don't you bring your friend with
YOU occasionally Harold?" asked Aunt Lisa
one evening. HE must be a remarkable
young man. Your mother was telling me
about him the other day.
He is a remarkable young man. salo
Harold, warmly. Just now he is absorbed
in a new invention and can hardly De
dragged away from it, But perhaps can
bring him out tomorrow
The next evening they were all gathered
in Mrs Van Matrices coy music room
when the hostess suddenly turned to he:
guest.
would you mind telling something
about yourself, Mr.. Fitzgerald?' she asked.
Something about your meeting Win
Harold, 1 mean. 90 1t must have been ro-
mantle
The young man looked embarrassed.
at was nothing he demurred. 1 just
pulled him out of q hole. Avn
"Hole" echoed Harold, Indignantly. DO
you call a crevassa like that a hole! Anu
is my life nothing? Look here, F1tz, II you
can't tell a better story than that, Just
keep still 1 will do the EARNING myself
Hole. indeed! IT.,
He settled himself comfortably In nus
chair and then looked across at his frlend:
You don't mind my giving the Who!e
warn. do YOU, Fitz?" he asked. 'AuEt Lisa
getting interested in you, and will not be
satisfied with less than the WhoIe sloi9'
Well then, here goes.
I'm the first place, and as sort OF pref
ace, l wish to say that am a member OF
Fits family He has told me SO much
about himself and his people that his broth-
ers have become my brothers, and his sis
ters my sisters. I have never seen any OF
them, but l going across some day 10
put in my claim HIS father Is senllemai n
of large estate and colossal mortgage ana
numerous children. Cormac. the Oldest
was given a fine education and two years
On the continent and then Joined the Royal
Engineers where he is now shining light.
Reginald Guam Fitzgerald the second SON
our friend here" with a low bow carry
displayed signs of mechanical genius. he
received the customary education and tour,
which was somewhat curtailed by an I'M
fortunate stringency of the family purse
1t on this trip that he pulled my IN
worthy self from a hole, and thereby en-
danCered his neck and broke an arm. Nat
1Iy vowed eternal friendship ana
continued the trip together When 1t was
finished l induced him to cross the Atlantic
with My father was an extensive man
ufacturer, and it seemed to me that this was
a golden opportunity for the encourage
ment of fallow genius. Time proved l was
right. Reginald Guam Fitzgerald among
burning building. Before we could collect
our dazzled senses he had flashed across
the horizon of inexperience into position
as superintendent of the works.
He paused moment to sip the tea which
Mrs. Van Maurice handed him. and then
went
THE third scion of the family is Miss Es-
sic, musical genius, who was Obliged to
assume charge of the household on account
of her mothers invalidism. Stress of
finances and this duty has hitherto kept
her somewhat in allegiance, but now, Wav-
ing his hand toward Reginald, this young
Croesus comes forward with his savings of
four years and beSeeches her to cross the
big pond and avail herself OF all the mus-
cal advantages offered by our proud city.
There is a family consultation in which it
is decided that Elizabeth Tara Fitzgerald,
the fourth aspirant, is competent to as
sumo the family dictatorship, and that sup
pressed genius, IN the shape of Miss Essie,
shall find it's natural expansion in America.
And-er-I believe that brings US down to
contemporaneous history" glancing al his
friend.
Yes, 1 suppose So answered Reginald,
with a WY face. when / have occasion
for a biography l shall certainly apply 30
you" Then his face grew serious. ut
seems strange that l have not heard from
home. Essic wrote that she was all ready
to start and at least five or six steamers
have been in since then. But at this season
father usually goes up to Baflyshannon for
a few weeks hunting, and perhaps she con-
cluded to wait until his return"
1T is all right, undoubtedly said Har-
old. From what ! know of her she is
like the traditional pussy-or more happily
like her own illustrious brother. When she
strikes America she will be on her feet"
During the conversation Mrs. Van Maui
rice had occasionally regarded her guest
with puzzled lnquiring expression. She
had never seen him before, but somehow
his features seemed familiar; and that pc
culiar way he had of throwing back his
head-why. she had seen t dozens of times
Suddenly a mirthful CLEAN of recognition
swept the shadow from her face. and she
rose quickly. With lier a thought was to
act.
Il suppose you and your sister resemble
each other, Mr.. Fitzgerald" she asked.
People used to say so, / believe; but
Essie appropriated all the beauty and grace
which rightfully ought to have been divided
between US"
Those attributes naturally go to the s.s-
ters," said Mrs Van Maurice, smiling. But
would you mind going down stairs with me
moment? l have something to show
YOU
As they left the room Mr.. Van Maurice |
rose with the remark that he would go into
the library after the chessmen. Hardly
had he disappeared when Harold heard Il
slight rustic at the hall door.
rs Mrs. Van Maurice here?"
Esther" Harold's face was in a glow as
he stepped eagerly tow;trd her. NO, don't
co. she drew back "I must speak to
you, dear. l have been coming here for
catch glmpses of you as you fitted through
some distant door ! cannot endure it any
longer. Uncle Van Maurice and the others
will be back in minute, and l want this