Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-08

IL his wifes room with tray in his
hand, He had done this every morning
for three years.
Breakfast, my LADY,"
pale face turned from the ample white -draped
bed in the corner. Ies my lord Oh, how tempting,
Hugh" she said as she glanced over the neat tray
He lifted her tenderly and propped her shoulders
with several pillows. Why shouldn't be good?"
and he kissed her softly on the cheek Not every
knight has so fair lady to serve" He smoothed
the bedclothes carefully, and drew the coored
nightingale closer around her pale throat. But when
he Strengthened his tall body and looked away from
her, instantly if a shadow had fallen upon him.
lines of appeared in his down dropping features
and his breath was silently long drawn.
But his voice still full of cheer. 81 o, there,
bearers of the napkin and the cupl he called, and
one knew at once that he spoke to children.
In moment they appeared girl hardly out of
babyhood with napkin pressed in her hands
carefully as If it was some priceless Chalice and
boy two three years older, proudly carrying cup
of steaming coffee
See Mama Althea, l carry it in one hand and
it's full tool"
Mama dear little mani" she said fondly taking
the coffee from him - Have you all had breakfast
Yes, mama, both answered
And did you have broiled steak and straw
berries too?"
1--WE had"
Knight of the kitchen, the dish-towef waits"
The two out, laughing and obedient But
the mother turned to the window. Some swift
determination settled her face yet her eyes were
hopeless. Oh won't let them do it! l won't have
better things than they have!" she whispered
vehemently to herself
Hugh hustled about, setting to rights the meager1y
furnished room. Madam Althea why don't you
eat? Doesn't the feast please you? The cook has
done his best"
She smiled at him; but it not a frank response
to his CHEEKY words. She knew that under his merry
manner his heart heavy with care; still he could
work, work for them all, and she could do nothing
Yet she must play her part too; she smiled And
the cooks best is very good II try to live up
that IS, eat up--to his effort
There was silence for little time. She ate with
the slow appetite of the invalid Il must try hard
this last morning" she murmured to herself as she
languidly picked at the steak and slipped the coffee
We had frost last night, didn't WEI" she asked
oh trihe nothing to hurt u.s. guess"
Althea was not deceived by the light words. She
knew that two degrees of cold more or less meant
distress or comfort for the next year
Another clean jacket and apron?" she said pres
emily. " You extravagant boyi"
He went to the bed and moved the tray to near
by chair He pulled and srnoothed the ed-clothes
with quick strong motions that not ungent1e;
yet they betrayed the masculine overexpendture
of vgor upon small matters Perhaps the brisk
movements covered emotion that he wished to con-
Ceal; for he leaned her and silently, tenderly
stroked her hair; and it was sometime before he
spoke; but when words came they were gay at first;
and not less at the last, only more earnest You
know I'm lightning change artist stable-boy
one minute chef the next, and after that attendant