Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-17

| the bit of diaphanous stuff at his feet
once more he seemed to see it fluttering
in the moonlight.
From an adjoining room her portrait
looked down on him. Painted by friend
or the Rossiters not long before the mar
rage, 1t had been removed from the family
homestead at the suggestion of the ever
solicitous Mrs. Rosster to adorn a con-
spicuous place on the walls of the mansion
provided for the bride. The canvas caught
ms attention. as perforce through some
ilVlng attribute; the eyes rested softly on
MIN with real and positive insistence.
dewy light in their shadowy depths The
mocking quality of that psychological
analysis in paint possessed him So fair,
SO sweet.-it-she-all was deceit-guiie-
A step overhead broke the deathlike hush
of the house. Mr.. Strong left the hall and
slowly mounted the stairway At the land
Ing he paused: a tiny glimmer of light
shone from beneath her door; drew him ir-
resistibly toward 1t. He counted his foot
steps; heard his own heart beat Strangely
he hesitated at the door. What was he
going to do? Turning the knob quickly, he
entered the room.
A slender figure still In the ball room
gown, sprang up from the sofa as he cross
ed the threshold. The lights were turned
half down, but the whiteness of her dress
and the paleness of her face made her
wildly discernible At her feet and cling
Ing to the folds of her skirts were the red
petals OF rose from the garland she had
worn. Dark shone her eyes. but behind
the startled look tears seemed to gleam
sac stood there for moment. one hand
raised to her heart as If to still its sudden
quick beating. then gazed down.
You are still up?" he said
"Yes-1 was at a dance-out of town"
As from afar he studied her.
"You-en1oyed it?'
Yes
He moved little nearer
rs that the reason you have been cry
ing?"
"Crying!-how do you know?-why-"
she trled TO laugh Il suppose-aIl of US
sometimes-have our blue moments" she
ended defiantIy.
us that the only reason?"
She stroked her gown.
OF coursei What other reason couId
there be?" she asked, lifting her head.
Her tone was light and yet strained.
of course-there could be none" he re-
turned.
sion, almost of relief, crossed her face
Again she seated herself upon the sofa
Who went with you?"
She hreathed quickly. A flush mantled
Cousin Charlie" she answered, her eyes
very bright:
His face changed. IntentIy she watched
him Suddenly her eyes dilated
on, she cried, lit was you-on the road
behind US
Something seemed gathering in his brain
"a mist. He took a step forward
'Yes-it was Il
GU kno"-you SaW-he Will not see me
again.
The mist spread. Her eyes looking truth.
and her lips speaking lies, overwhelmed
him. AS through a dark cloud he saw her
in the moonlight; on the road; in Dalton's
arms
Richard, /"
The truth! The truth,-you sold your
self to me! You love him."
'No,-no!'
Spots of color danced before him. Con
TESS. Or
He put out his arm. She laughed wildly
We'll? Well?!
His hand closed. A deeper film was drawn
over his gaze. He was no longer master of
himself
When the mist cleared he saw her, pale.
passive lying on the sofa. Stupefied, he re-
garded her. Why did she remain notion
less2 What had happened? Was She
Automatically he turned up the light. In
the full glare, her face was winter; more
death-like. Her golden-brown hair, I'M
bound, swept the pillow; her hand dropped