Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

Morley paused at the tor Of the brown
stone steps and glanced down the hlsh
stoop. From his earliest boyhood he nad
mounted those steps with good news and
bad. The Blanchard home had been his
refuge In childhood marred by the moods
of a nervous semi-invalid mother; during
college days, interrupted by the first init
nation Of his fathers mental and financial
collapse, and in a young manhood burden
ed by the task of recuperating family for
tunes. And always on the other side of
the big bronze doors he had found surcease
and comfort. But what could Hal Blanch-
ard or his pretty wife or his stately mother
say tonight to soothe the fresh wound? He
could not tell them of the note tucked into
the deepest corner of his pocket.
Miss Remington regrets that she cannot
see Mr.. Morley, either tonight or at any
other time"
Not another linel His violets had come
back that morning, and when he had tried
to reach her by telephone, her maid had
replied that Miss Remington was engaged.
MOI decidedly this was not a matter to dis
cuSs even with the Blanchards. 1t present
ed a problem he must solve for himself.
Nevertheless he turned to his friends house
as instinCtively as a wounded animal fees
TO the safest retreat of his woodland
haunts
The door swung back and Jenkins, who
had been in the Blanchard service for thir-
ty-fve years, greeted him with an express
sion of positive relief.
Mr. Blanchard In his study" said Nor
ley as he handed the old butler his stick,
coat and hat.
mo, sir" replied the man. Madame
blanchard, Mr. Blanchard and his wife
were all called to Philadelphia very sud
denly, sir, by the death of madame
brother this morning. Mr.. Blanchard Will
,trl1+ ined
sir?'
Morley hesitated. and IN the moment of
quiet and indecsion a sound was borne
down the broad staircase. gust OF childish
sobs.
Whats that Jenkins?"
Miss Isabel sir. And that was why l
was SO relieved TO see you. We are having
a terrible time with her. Mr.. Morley, and
If you wouldn't mind
Philip Morley was half way up the stairs,
with Jenkins at his heels.
Has she hurt herself?' the young man
demanded.
No sir" replied the butler. 1t Is this
way. Just before Mrs. Blanchard left
But already Morley had flung back the
hangings al the library door and was strid-
ing toward a disConsOlate little figure in
white huddled in the very biggest and
blacklist chair the room afforded Freight
and lamp glow disclosed a tear-stained face
raised at their entrance.
"Oh. Uncle Morley, I'm so glad you've
come! When l heard the Dell ring was
sure 1t was an ogre or giant. You see
the wicked fairies have been working In
this house all day"
II should say they had, Judging from
your face" replied Blanchard. settling her
on his knees and stroking her fine golden
hair, which crowned high-strung nerves and
vivid Imagination. And what particular
spell have they worked today?'
First. the fairy of bad tempers got into
Miss Drake. She said I didn't know my
lessons, and my French was perfect dis
grace to her training. But II wasn't true
so l cried. and she cried, and said her
throat hurt her dreadfully. and then Mary,
the cook, sent her some white of egg and
sugar. but It didn't do her any good, and
then Jane. the second girl, said her mother
always used vinegar gargle, and that made
Miss Drake cry again; and then Uncle
Hugh-you remember Uncle Hugh-he
always had funny little chocolates in
his pockets with the teenest white