Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-02

down at her hair, her face, her gown bathed
with the pickering light; the few flowers at
her waist.
You mustn't mind Thayer and his little
joke he went on. Hes a blunt sort of
fellow a true westerner, though, with big
heart and heavy hand. He's had quite
history, too!'
And in terse language he described the man
and his associates, from which narrative
of golden success, remarkable as an Ara
bian tale, he was unconsciously led to speak
of himself and his own plans and projects,
unbosoming himself as he had never done
before.
Did she hear? Was she listening? This
world of his was new and a strange world
to her Stocks; bonds; railroads; money!
A little frown had gathered on her brow.
1T seems odd my speaking to you of all
these matters" observed Richard Strong,
after while, not noticing her preoccupa-
ton. II have been so accustomed to keep
ing everything to myself all my life that It
Las become almost second nature not to
talk, but to think. When a boy, / was
silent taciturn; 'sullen,' they called me.
Richards mind is a blank said my father.
Perhaps It was. 1 wish he were here to see
me now" he added suddenly.
you were very fond of him?" she asked.
arousing herself.
1--WE lived in the saddle together; drove
the cattle from Texas to Missouri; when he
was shot in the Wilderness as they called
one of the bad spots in Arkansas, l buried
him with my own hands. 1t was a boy
who knelt by the grave and whispered the
prayer his mother had taught him; it was a
man who rode away!"
Did you--ever find the person that shot
him?"
From beneath his heavy brow look, like
a spark, flashed to her.
Yes" he said simply.
st should imagine you would always seek
vengeance, If any person wronged you"
She regarded him quickly.
"Vengeance?' he replied No"
"Only justice" she returned.
He was silent.
But the gladness of the day soon won him
from the thoughtful mood those memories
evoked. Around them the leaves scarcely
whispered in the thicket, and the hush of a
solemn peace pervaded the deeper recesses
of the forest. A little brown thrasher, shy
and retiring in its habits. flew far away on
their approach; a gray squirrel scampered
higher. and. from its lofty perch. barked
fearlessly.
The sequestered path seemed maiiS but for
them, yet other couples had walked that
way-doubtless wrapped In transport of
mutual inclination-and Richard Strong,
with smile, called her attention to sundry
hearts and initials crudely carved on tree
and sapling, some newly done; few old,
almost obliterated He even insisted upon
stopping and deciphering those amatory
efforts of the signing SWANS who had
preceded them down that redolent forest
path, and once, while doing SO, his hand
closed upon hers. She laughed nervously
and glanced around.
Seer she said
Through the trees. Graded In the bosom
of the hills, they could look upon the shin
ing expanse of little lake whose placid
surface was unmarried by ripple.
Let US go therc!' she added, and half
ran down into the glen. His eye lighted as
he followed her.
.Fllinort' he called.
"E,l-i-nori--" came the answering echo.
Again he called. She seemed surrounded
by voices summoning her from every side.
With scream, a water-bird arose from
the bushes the bank and shot out
straight as an arrow across the water.
Did it surprise your" he asked, ap-
preaching.
Her expression answered him. The half
startled look had a charm of its own; her
cheeks wore the eloquent hue of the rose;
her lips were parted from the exercise. He
could not take his eyes from her.
Nearer he came; nearer
'"Scuse me, sahi Am yo' Mistah Strong?"
A strange voice broke In upon them, and.