Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-15
CHAPTER II.
The Gauntlet.

| low dunes of Fire Island were visible, with
| the lighthouse pointing upward It's white
| finger OF warning. To east and west low,
wooded islets closed in the horizon, while
| to the north the tall trees of a broad
stretch of woodland looked down upon the
| house. A pretty boathouse and pier adorned
| the beach, and there was every other de-
vice of bowling alley. gymnasium. tennis
court and what not that could add to the
amusement of summer sojourners. There
were many pretty walks among the trees.
many fragrant hooks where natures sway
had not been disputed; but perhaps the
most attractive corner of the place was
the walk beyond the bowling alley. beneath
a graceful pergola. covered with vines in
summer, leading to shady bower COM
manding a wide view of the bay. from
which terraced walk descended to the
water.
1t was essentially summer playhouse,
and yet John Drysdale. looking through
the blurred glass of the carriage that had
brought him from the station through the
sudden April shower. saw in the light
streaming redly from the windows
warmth of welcome that summer could
not show. pile of logs was blazing IN
the hall fireplace, but he paused only for a
moment to get off the outdoor chill and
then ran up to his room to dress for dinner.
He knew the customs of the house and he
hoped for a reward If he dressed promptly.
Nor was he disappointed, for when he
later ne saw standing before the fire a
| regal figure. He paused a moment to con-
| template 1.-THE white shoulders rising from
a gown of rich. dark red. the poise of the
| head with its black coiffure, the grace of
the arm hanging idly by her side -
She was gazing intenty into the fire.
| deep in thought, and for an instant she did
| not hear him. Then she turned with that
| rare smile which a woman of ardent tenn
| permanent gives to only one man in the
world.
| Il heard you drive up" she said: Il
| thought you might remember our old
| ha bit"
LAS If I could forget 1t. Do you know"
| and he held her at arms length to look at
| her. you take my breath away. But them
you always do. My luck seems too COM
| pletely. Supremacy perfect to be true"
| Her color deepened a little under his gaze.
| but her eyes did not waver.
II don't want you to live in state of
| perpetual breathlessness," she said.
''Oh, you don't know what de-
| lightful state it is. There's nothing
/ in my appearance to cause palpitaton
+ of the heart Just moment ago, when
1 came to the turn of the stair and looked
! down and saw you standing here.
! do you know l was appalled, at the
/ sheer wonder of the thing She is mine, 1
! said to myself, she is mine and yet /
couldn't quite believe tit seemed too stu
| pendous, too utterly absurd. What have
| done to deserve your?
There was something very touching in the
| sincerity of the frank. boyish face. She
| answered with a pressure of the hand
| which said more than many words.
| Il Ieel good deal as that page feitt
| ne went on. after a moment who looked
| up at Kate the Queen. She never could
be wronged, be poor he sighed, need MIN
| to help her.
And yet in the end she did need him.
didn't she? Perhaps" and her face changed
and she looked away into the fire again,
| perhaps l may need you-may have to ask
| q sacrifice of VOu--'
| Ask it, he said eagerly. ASK anything
| but that 1 give you up
! Il have already asked one thing, she
| said slowly looking at him with face
| very gentle. mo little thing-your trust
| your confidence. your
You had no need to ask it, and he
| caught her hands again, 1t was yours
| already.
| And will be mine always?''
"Can you doubt it?"
"No-and l shall be glad to remember
it"
Not long ago. he said. looking at her,
| "a friend of mine gave me some good ad-
vice"
(which was?''
THAT 1 be happy In having you. without
conditions; that 1 try to live up to you
| and be worthy of you; that L try to do
something worth while for your sake"
| She had listened with raised hrows.
| II didn't know | was a subject or ols-
| CUSTOM" .
you're not-but you sent me to him"
"Oh-Mr. Godfrey And little cloud
| came upon her face; she opened her Ups
| to say something more. but a step sounded
| on the stair and Tremaine came slowly
| down. There was look on his face not
| pleasant to see but he had banished all
| trace of It as he came forward 10 greet
| them.
| When the men Joined the women after
| dinner they found Miss Croydon sitting at
| the piano idly touching the keys. Tre-
| maine went to her with directness that
| argued purpose She looked up. expecting.
| perhaps, to see Drysdale; her eyes mar
| rowed and hardened as they met ire
| manes.
| eve been wanting to ask you to sing,
| he said apparently not noticing her change
| of expression but feared you might think
| me bold You see, am taking the bull by
the horns. Some instinct told me
| THE instinct is wrong she interrupted.
| dropping her eyes to the keyboard. Il do
| not sing
mo? Then I shall miss great pleas
| ure which l had promised myself lou
| have singing voice.
| There was a penetrating fascination about
the man which compelled her to lift her
| eyes to his. He was smiling, radiant tri-
| lust swinging into battle. She shivered
| slightly as he bent closer and added some
| thing in a tone of voice too low to be heard
| by the others In the room
| She flushed and her fingers crashed out
| an Indignant chord of protest. Drysdaie,
| drawn by some compelling uneasiness. APP
| preached them. Tremaine had been turn
| ing over the music he talked; his ears,
| sensitive rs a cats. caught the sound OF
| DrysdaIe's footsteps.
| sShall we try this oneT he asked aloud
| and placed a sheet on the rack before her.
| Without answering. she swept into the
| prelude.
| You'll love me yet.-and / can tarry
| Your loves protracted growing;
June reared that bunch of flowers you carry
| From seeds of Aprils sowing
| His voice was an admirable tenor and
| he sang the lines with meaning and ex-
| preston that brought the warm blood to
her cheek When 1t was done, he &C
| knowledged the applause with a little bow,
| casting at Drysdale a glance at once tri-
| umphant and ironc. And in that instant
| Drysdale knew that the song had not been
| chosen by chance-that Tremaine had
| paused to listen at the stair-head. A sud
| den abyss yawned before him-here was a
| rival who would pause at nothing; who
| already had about him a certain air OF
| victory. Drysdale clenched his teeth with
| a quick breath; well, he would make the
| fight of his life to keep what he had won!
More more. clamored Delroy. You
| could make your fortune as stage lover
| Tremaine."
'Ah. there Is difference between the
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