Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-18
CHAPTER v.
The Blow Falls.

udle ana Grdce troydOn HldiHtdiheu a N"AS
full silence and Mrs. Delroy was so OBJ
viously depressed that her husband was
alarmed
II don't believe this stay in the country
is doing you bit of good. Edith he OBJ
served.
She smiled YEARLY In answer to his anx-
ious look
II don't feel very well tonight she said.
Il think l shall lie down right after din
| ner.''
Il would" he agreed "You must save
ting ill, you know. If I'd had any sense
I'd have got you away from that New
York whirl month ago.
I'm not going to be Ill, she assured
him; IN be all right in a day or two"
AS soon the meal was over she and
her sister disappeared upstairs. while the
men lighted their cigars and strolied down
to the boat house TO view the preparations
made by the Grahams for the protection OF
the necklace. The night was very close.
with a promise of rain unmistakable.
They went through the boat house with
out finding any one. but out on the pier
across the water and smoking an odorifer-
Gus pipe. Between his knees he held a
Winchester repeater and revolver-butt
stuck from a case at his belt
Delroy laughed quietly as he looked at
him.
"Why, you're a regular arsenal he said.
You're taking it in earnest for sure"
Might as we'll be on tn safe side, sir y
responded Graham, sententiously.
And where's the necklace?
Lowered from tn end of tn pier, sill"
mo chance of 1t getting away?'
II tied tn knots, SIR
IAN right-that settles 1t. You're not
going to~sit out here all night, l hopper"
"Willum takes his trick at midnight, sir.
He's gone over t tn house { bring cot
an some beddin' down { tn boathouse.
Well take turn an turn about
Well said Delroy, turning away, Il see
l can sleep without worrying any over the
safety of the necklace. II there's any
thing you want, Graham. In the way of
| eatables drinkables. don't hesitate to
send to the butler for them
THANK zee, sir; but / guess we'll let tn
drinkables alone fer TIL present. Wen
cook our own meals on TIL stove In tn
boat house"
What do you want to do that for?'
WELL" returned Graham slowly, then
! we'll known that they amt nothin in them
| tibet hadn't ought L be there
Delroy laughed again, long and loud, and
even Drysdale smiled.
You've been reading a dime novel;
cried Delroy. when he had got his breath
"Deadwood Dick-I didn't think It of you
Graham!'
II don't read nothin', sir, but tn Moo
York Record
IT'S the same thing" Delroy interjected
But l don't believe In takin' no risks
when you come after tn necklace, sir it's
| a-goin' t be right here"
Il haven't a doubt of It," his employer
assured him. 1T would be mighty des-
perate thief who'd tackle you. You are all
right. Graham; but I'd go into the boat
house If 1t rains"
III see about 1t. sir" said Graham, and
reflled his pipe.
AS they passed through the boathouse
again, they perceived young "Willum"
busily engaged in making up his bed on
~, n4l,- I'D 1, ,,,
and passed on without speaking.
ITS too nice a night to spend in the
house." said Drysdale, little abruptly, as
they mounted the steps TO the door. Il
rain coat, though; then l needn't hurry
back"
II didn't know you were such a lover of
nature, Jack" observed Delroy.
I'm not; but l feel like tramping to-
night
Delroy shrugged his shoulders as Drys-
dale entered the outer hall with them and
took down his rain coat from the rack.
Thomas, who was stationed in the vesti-
bule, helped him on with it.
Goodbye" he called from the door !;
don't look for me for hour or two"
"All right we won't worry" answered
Delroy; though for my part" he added, as
he and Tremaine went on through the hall
| together, II prefer a book before the fire.
There's chill In the air that strikes
through one after a while, and Jack'll soon
1 u
see how my wife's getting along. You'll
excuse me?'
"Certainly-and stay as long as you like
I'm going to my room presently, myself
have some letters to write"
Delroy nodded and went on up the stair.
Tremaine sank into one of the chairs before
the fire and watched the blazing logs, with
an expression intent, alert, as though he
were waiting for some one.
A door opened and closed, a light step
crossed the hall, hand was laid upon the
chair-back-
where is Mr.. Drysdale?"
Tremaine arose slowly.
"Drysdale," he said, with meaning look
which did not escape her, was unable TO
resist the charms of the evening. He has
gone for a walk. He said he would not be
back for couple of hours. Please sit
down"
1t was more of a command than an invi-
tation, and she yielded to it reluctantly.
II can stay but a moment" she said
Edith is not at all well and needs me.
Why you waiting here?
He pulled a chair close beside her.
IT was waiting for YOU" he said calmly;
II don't think you quite realize yet that
am in earnest"
ITO be in earnest would be Infamous
mo, indeed; not to be in earnest woulo
he Infamous I'm paying you the greatest
compliment I'm capable of paying any wo-
man. l ask you to be my WIFE
why keep up that mockeryT she de-
manded scornfully.
at is not mockery. The past is dead"
at is not dead; you have brought II to
life 1t is becoming intolerable."
II know 1t: therefore offer to make II
tolerable. l have no wish to prosecute
any one
.'Then why do your
Necessity
"Oh, nonsensel
Listen" he said with sudden intensity,
leaning toward her and looking in her
eyes. ''If 1 can prove to you that the past
Is really dead-dead past recall-dead past
hope of resurrection-will you marry me?"
She looked al him without shrinking.
Nor she answered.
II see what 1t is" he said between his
teeth; "it Is not that l do not awaken
an answering chord in you'll dol can see
tive were set apart for each other. 1t is
not that you do not long to break through
this silly English cage which has always
hedged you about remember that you
are really French in every drop of your
blood 1t is this pink-and-white nonentity
who stands between us. You've fallen in
love with his baby face-but it's not the
love Of woman for a man, it's the love Of
a mother for her child. That other love you
as yet know nothing of-but it shall be
my part to teach it you--my privilege-my
great mission-and I shall enjoy the fruits
Of 1t. Deep In your heart you know that the
pale feeling you have for this boy is not love
mot strong passionate. mature lOye-the