Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-01

1
| ing her by the hands.
You do look pale he said. ''Paler than
thought at first. Are you sure there is
nothing you want?'
NO, she replied nothing"
Then I'll go and see to things
lie turned, glanced back at her once and
was gone. The girl walked to the mantel.
leaned upon 1T. The day had been long:
the ride on the train, fatiguing. 1t is true
the trip had been accomplished with ex-
ceptional CELEBRITY; tie engineer. under in
structions from the master of Harlem. had
opened wide the throttle. But in those
days, before the consolidation of the Hud-
son River and New York Central. heavy,
solid vestibule trains We're unknown. and
the tracks were lightly ballasted. In con-
sequence they had dashed with many a
jolt, jostle and bumr
AT times Elinor had held her breath: then
had put her hands to her ears as a pierre
ing Shrek marked their progress. She
called brief intervals OF rest at the sta
| tons folowed-alas-by more shocks and
knocks.
Isn't this rather fast?" she had ventured
to ask.
Il should say SOL Richard had answered
with enthusiasm. Almost forty miles an
hour. Well beat the record to Albany
Beat the record. The journey seemed
designed for that especial purpose. She re-
membered thinking that she should not
have minded going slower; in less mod
ern-more romantic fashion perhaps. The
golden chariot, the noisy monster-how I'M
like they were. In the books honeymoons
We're full of flowers, sunshine. perfume:
they two that day had raced madly in a
| cloud OF dust dirt and cinders! Slowly,
| mournfuly. the shades of twilight had
| gradually descended the world, and the
depression of the hour had seemed to lay its
| finger her spirits.
She could feel 1t now, and, deeply, Ques-
| tioningly. she looked at herself In the mir
ror, the while the events of the past few
months marshaled themselves in her mind.
| For some time she stood there without
yr7nv hnr far md ,r,yhr
full Then suddenly, with an impatient
gesture, she turned away and raised her
hands to remove her hat.
Meanwhile Richard Strong had walked
down the hall and was slowly descending
| the stairway.
TT is only little fatigue" he told him
| self, and repairing to the office, made in
quiries about his baggage.
AS he moved across the lower corridor
| the sound Of music caught his ear, and
| turning, he found himself at the entrance
| of the ball room. AT Saratoga, where dress
Ing was an all-absorbing matter to the fair
sex, the dance, or the masquerade In the
evenings afforded the supreme opportunity
for the display of gowns. The Entire Nous
waltz or the Kangaroo galiop found. there
fore, many devotees every evening in the
week-Sundays excepted-while those who
preferred something newer became ready
victims Of the fascinating and alluring
dip
1t was the dip that engrossed the COM
pany, Mr.. Strong stood near the door
| way. Ladies with bare shoulders, dipped;
matrons whose arms and necks cleaned
with the luster Of gems In barbaric profu-
sion, dipped; young girls in the splendor
of gowns from the inexhaustibe arks, or
trunks. they had brought with them, Dip
ped: black-garbed figures, with white gloves
and streaming coat tails each one as like
his nefghbor as one Jumping-Jack resembles
another, dipped.
Above the varied faces OF the jewellers,
the graceful and the grotesque figures,
m ca
face and form. He regretted now he had
brought her there, in the midst of that gilt
tering, pretentious throng, and wished he
had sought some quieter spot, some more
modest retreat for their honeymoon.
But he had thought to please her,
and after all, there were many beau
tiful walks and drives. the lakes and the
wayside resorts. One could be in the
Snowy world and yet not OF it; beyond the
crowd and the hum and 1.-The shock of
menu
Conceivfng sudden 'iistaste for the Law
ish spectacle, he stroGe back into the hall
and out upon the veranda. Here also,
We're many people, old and young; we'll
dressed and over-dressed. Here. Also
sounded many voices, engaged in discussing
the merits of the waters; the relative speed
of this or that horse: the croquet contests
and bowling tournaments, Forthcoming
church social, managed by enterprising
local women.
From the streets metropolitan In their
gayety and life, came the rumbling of car
riages and the pattering of hoofs. Laugh
ing boisterously merry party from the
lake and from repast of trout and wood
cock with an afterdash Of famous old rum
drove up in a large vehicle.
"Phewr' cried one of them Fishing is
expensive around here. Think of a dollar
a pound for all you catch out of the pri-
Vate pondS!'
for your catch!" retorted another You
whipped the stream all day and"
Lets go into the ball room! We're just
In time for champagne and birds"
"Champagnet Give me some of old Moons
Vera CRUZ"
Slowly Richard Strong arose. looked at
his watch and re-entering the hotel, sought
their rooms The apartment wherein he
found himself was deserted; upon the man
tel lay her hat, which seemed To him a part
of herself because she had worn it, He no.
ticed her gloves beside it, and picking them
up. regarded them with a smile. They were
slightly fragrant; he wondered what per
fume it was she used knowing but little
about such matters. Something very sweet
and subtle, at any rate! He touched them
to his lips; then stepping to a door, pushed
1t open gently and looked in
The light was low. Was she sleeping :?
Her hair with its golden tints outspread
IN moving profusion. One hand lay on the
pillow He approached; stood there-how
long! Her eyes were closed her breathing
regular.
"Elinor." he said softly
She did not answer. He bent; dared to
take her hand gently. Upon her finger
CLEANED the ring-his ring; the band that
!! bound her to him for ever and ever!
Elinor.' he whispered.
sun silence. He listened; she seemed
sleeping like child-a tired child mo-
ment longer he waited: then, dropping her
hand he left as quietly he had entered
In the dark parlor Richard Strong seated
himself near the open window A flood of
moonlight fell on the floor; the balmy air
stirred the clambering vines about the
easement Like the beating Of a pulse a