Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-17

tip. His hand closed on hers. Not
till tomorrow, dear he said. 1T is
bad luck, you know" i
Her eyes sparlded. "You goose!
You old goose! You really believe in ~
that? So there things about you
1 have yet to Learnt"
Perhaps he said quietly; but the II.
chief thing you have known always
And just because have been
of it from the first, we are not going
to take the smallest chance now.
oh very WELL she answered-"f
you feel that way Of course, time is ,it
left. You change your mind, if you
wish to-"
Edith" he pleaded, and leaned
over and kissed her. YsM 4
There knock at the door, Z INA
and she drew away from him. She slS3
pushing back log which had fallen ia
on the hearth when a man-servant sMH4.
entered with tray. Upon it lay an OBJ A6$s
long package, wrapped in white paper, sEX
tied and sealed. Huntingdon seated tHE
at the outer end of the deep bench sNs
which curved about one side of the :; eTl5H
fireplace. He lifted the package from
the tray, and held it to the reflection
of the flames. In the Pickering light a.tiis5
the address upon its cover indis-
tinct. But the handwriting he recog-
nized at once and every muscle set M I'M
itself rgidly. His glance darted to the :GI2zy1I
She was still bending above the EII.
hearth and on the impulse of i'm ~
possible hope he caught the package @L4SS
to hirn-to hide it somehow, anywhere @ IA
But just then the door closed behind
the servant and 9: at IT., the sound she
Strengthened up. What IS 1T! For
me?" she asked.
For you? No-that is yes, 1 think
it is for you" he explained. II
trying to read the name He still held
the package and made no offer to give it to her
He was looking into the fire.
LET me see.'' She extended hand She was not
conscious of the fact that she had to draw the pack
age from his grasp and that he did not speak. She
turned the package toward the glow and read aloud
her own name why, this is very plain, she said
And it addressed by woman But do not
To 1>,,oyxy fba hoo 1vrrIf Har Hona
sought the fastenings of the package.
At the rustic of the paper, he turned upon her
abruptly and cried OUT '"Wait!"
His voice sharp, strained, that she
started and the 691fknge to the floor He
At first amazement held her mute. Then, the
absurdity of the thing possessed her. Why
Trafford!" she said. "One would think you
suspected it dangerous something enemy
had sent me, a wicked charm. Is that it? How
exciting"
He tried to laugh with her. Il didn't mean to
be alarming. As for lie package why, it is-a pack
age; something which somebody dare say,
the wedding cards to send you. Anyhow, 1 should
think you were tired of opening packages by now
l confess am tired of seeing them opened"
A little shadow crept across her eyes; but she
refused to recognize her momentary feeling as dis
appointment I'm sorry you tired she said
And will forget the presents-after | see this
Maybe it will be the last"
But he remained unmoved. mo, there will be
plenty more-when come home. Wait till then
Besides, this evening-this evening you promised
should be our very own And have so many things
to say. One of them is"
First the package!" she persisted smiling
lust moment Pleased"
Still he held it from her. and tried to finish what
he had begun to say.
But she insisted ooh but must see it. I'm sure
you're right about it. And the unexpected is always