Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-02

At times Wooster felt that it would drive him mad
The threatened stigma would be intolerable He
could think of no solution of the business without
involving Aileen in plight he shamed to dwell
upon. There not ray of hope that anything
could alter or clear away the mystery or his
own false position, the Majors wrath and
indignation.
Almost hourly expecting to be summoned to his
presence by the father of Aileen, the prey
to every wretchedness of the truly guilty. In de-
cency to Major Van Twiller he knew that he must
not seek Aileen And to avoid the hoow-seeming
congratulations of acquaintance he denied himself
every social engagement on his list.
His one consolation and refuge from thinking
afforded by the pale little boy at the hospital, wait
ing for him always loving him steadfastly trusting
him implicitly In his yearning over Teddy,
stretched upon that iron bed, Wooster had
strong anchorage to faith and hope. For the rest
a horrid blight seemed settling more and more
definitely upon him as the hours went by and not
a word a sign vouchsafed, either from Major
Van Twiler or Aileen.
The day was going swiftly, when Wooster
turned to his living-place from the hospital only
to meet an unexpected friend. 1t was Franklin
Van Twiller, who had called to see him
and been obliged to turn away, with the informa-
ton that he out.
"Hello By gracious old man. I'm in luck after
ALL! cried the visitor in sudden elevation of spirits
1--WE been here twice since twelve o'clock and
thought it all up for sure-and here you arel
Say, old chap may turn around and go back up
to your with you now"
why certainly, Frank by all do' said
Wooster glad to a friend whose heart he always
had found warm and generous. I'm wonder
fully glad you hunted me up You must have
been away
They were shaking hands all this time like the
two fond friends they always had been to
another, and each studying the others face
in the frank affectionate way that for years had
existed between them.
Yes, l was called away to Washington rather sud-
denly, said Frank. I'll tell you all about it present.
ly. You look little worn, i'll, something"
SO do you" Nelson's rejonder.
"Wel1-long trip, and-other things besides Is
your good?"
Better. l have spent the largest part of three
whole days at hospital, Frank, with poor little
rogue of boy l rather like" answered Wooster
evasivey; to which he added, with a smile that
somewhat faint And there always those
other things you mentioned in every fellows
life" He reflected quickly that Frank, having
been away, had probably neither heard nor read
any word of the recently announced engagement
of himself and Aileen. He decided not to mention
the subject himself, unless some necessity should
arise; wherefore he merely added But come
along up.
They proceeded without further delay to Woos-
ter's apartments Nelson waved his hand toward
the sdeboard, where with familiar informality
Franklin helped himself to good cigar. This he
lighted, while Wooster exchanged his coat and
shoes for jacket and slippers.
Van Twiller junior a fne-looking fellow
with air of something reckless yet decidedly
1ikable about him. He almost as tall as Woos-
ter, and equally broad. The only thing about
him in any manner like his father was his long
mustache For the rest his deep-gray eyes, his
brown-red hair and his delicately nodded features
"a tr1e too fine, perhaps, for a mamie SIM