The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-11-02
THE RRoD DIT LAC.

What was the good of marrying a man with whom all the rest of the women were in love? Why should she follow the common, senseless herd? She, a beauty and an heiress!
 Barbara Montgomery, Evelyn's par ticular friend, had judiciously pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of such a matrimonial venture, and in her summing up the former considera- bly outbalanced the latter. Evelyn thought Barbara's suggestion vulgar when she quoted the hackneyed say- ing that There are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it." This did not seem to her pertinent as applied to herself and Colonel Ashmore. The idea that perhaps he would console himself in a richer and more beautiful direction Evelyn repudiated with dis dain.
 More beautiful" She was vain enough to think that with auburn hair undyed, fair complexion non-rnas- saged, perfect figure, feet and hands, she could carry the world before her; in fact, she was proud of anything and everything that belonged to that mar velous vision of beauty, Evelyn Amos.
 And was Barbara to preach that Eustace Ashmore would soon fly to some oe more appreciative ad con genial Barbara, a commonplace little creature, who could scarcely string to- gether couple of sentences grammat- ically. Had not she, Evelyn, been the belle of every place she had honored with her presence Fly from her, in- deed! What nonsense; and here was a proof. '.,.ss.s',
 So on this glorious June day when Colonel Ashmore stood beside her she felt no sort of surprise whatever. What mors natural than that this man, who a, season and a half ago had been her veriest slave, should now have returned to his allegiance? Here he was on the very first available op- portunity hurrying to meet her again. Gratifted vanity made her eyes spar kle, although she f1attered herself that shelooked as if she saw no one for whom she felt the slightest interest.
 T am delighted to meet you, Miss Amos" said Colonel Ashmorc. He was not in the least nervous, but then men don't carry their hearts on their coat eIeeves-this was Evelyn's com forting reflection.
 q heard you were coming to Lau- sanne," he continued, extending his hand. Evelyn condescendingly offered hers, and at the same time wondered why she had never realized before the charm of this mans personality. Many of the sterner sex look well in their silk hats, frock coats and smart dress suits; this man in whatever clothes he wore seemed exactly suited to the place and the hour.
 "No need, Miss Amos, to ask how you are?"
 Evelyn smiled most graciously, fully aware that the accommodating sun was still lighting with its golden hue her oceans of chestnut hair.
 This is my cousin Norton" she con- tinued. "Mr. Herman Norton is like yourself, a painter, and you two ought to become great friends
 But Evelyn could only think of the tall, upright man before her. Had he ever asked her to marry him? Had she dared refuse him? Surely she must have dreamed this episode of her career-it could not be true. Could he ever forgive her bad taste and the harm it must have done him After all it had only been bravado. Now well, it would have been a brave per- son who would have dared to have said anything in his depreciation in her presence.
 Barbara Montgomery words oc- cured to her. "Eustace Ashmore is as good as he is handsome, as true as he is tall, a man absolutely devoid of swagger and conceit."
 She agreed with Barbara and thought so, too.
 Absence often works wonders in making us remember as well as for get, and Evelyn had of late remem- bered g great deal, and now Eustace was beside her once again-of his own accord.
 She had been abroad with her maid en aunt, Miss Milman, and they had been travelling necessarily for a year and three mOnths-their last stay was in Sicily They had heard little of their friends and their affairs, as both Evelyn and her aunt had tabooed all correspondence, so for the space of if teen months they had been practically out of the world that finds its bounda- ries in London life.
 Now they were both en route home and beginning to hear the echoes of the park. Her heart was full, for she realized that she was near the man~of all others she most desired to see ''Eustace the Rejected" as Barbara. laughingly had christened him, was at her side to bid her welcome back.
 Because I was a poor fool once"