Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-09
THE GAMBLER
XIV.
CECIL THURSTON.
1.-THE Masquerader" Etc.
tcpyreht rights reser,ed

4 iii (C0pyr1Sut 16OJs " RaturkAns "
XIV.
And thus it came about that Clodagh
Asshlin entered upon a new phase OF that
precarious condition that we call life. The
| impulse that had induced her to accept Mil
banke's proposal was in no way complex
The knowledge had suddenly been conveyed
| to her that, through no act of her own, she
had been placed under a deep obligation;
and her primary-her inherited-instinct had
been to pay her debt as speedily and as
| fully as lay within her power, ignoring, in
her lack of worldly wisdom. the fact that
such bargain must OF necessity possess
obligations other than personal. which
would demand subsequent settlement.
However IMMERSED she may be in the
worlds ways, 1t is scarcely to be supposed
that any young girl, under normal condf-
lions, can look upon her own marriage as
an abstract thing. But the circumstances
Of Clodagh's case were essentially abnor-
NAL Milbankes proposal-and the facts
time when her mind and her emotions were
numbed by her first poignant encounter
with death and grief; and for the time be-
ing her outlook upon existence was clouded.
The present seemed something somber, des-
olate, and impalpable, while the future was
something absolutely void.
For two days after the scene in the glen.
she and Milbanke avoided all allusion to
what had taken place between them. He
appeared possessed by an insurmountable
nervous reticence, while she, Immersed in
her trouble, seemed almost to have forgot
ten what had occurred
On the evening Of the third day. how
ever the subject was again preached.
Milbanke was sitting by one of the long
dining room windows, reading by the faint
twilight that filtered in from the fast-dark-
clxxv Nho Y<vH,< to- f,1
for, though the table was already laid for
dinner, the candles had not yet been
lighted.
with his book held close to his eyes, he
had been reading studiously for close upon
an hour when the quick opening of the door
behind him caused him to look round AS
he did SO. he closed his book somewhat
hastily and rose with slight gesture of
embarrassment, for the disturber Of his
peace was Clodagh. But 1t was not so
much the fact of her entry that had startled
him as the fact that. for the first time
since her fathers death. she was arrayed
in her riding-habit.
Shaken out of his calm, he turned to her
at once.
Are you-are you going for rider" he
asked. in unconcealed surprise.
Clodagh nodded. She was drawing on her
thick channels gloves, and her riding crop
was held under her arm. Had the light in
the room been stronger. he would have seen
that her lips were firmly set and her eyes
absorbed by his surprise.
But Is 1t not rather-late?" he haZarded
anxiously, with glance toward the win
dow.
She looked up astonished.
Later" she repeated. incredulously.
Then the look of family contemptuous
tolerance that sometimes touched her with
regard to him passed over her face.
"Oh no; not at air. she explained. I'm
used to riding in the evening. You see.
Polly must be exercised; and I'd rather it
| was dark the first time rode AFTER
Her voice faltered.
before, his sense of personal timidity fed
before his spontaneous pity.
"Clodagh,'' he said. suddenly. "allow me
to ride with you? I was a fairly good
horseman in-in my day.
There was pathos in the deprecating Jus
tifcation; but Clodaghs attention was
caught by the words alone.
Your she said, in blank amazement.
Then something In the crudeness of her
tone struck upon her, and she made haste
to amend her exclamation.
"Of course it's very. very kind Of you, !"
she added awkwardly.
At her lowered tone. Milbanke colored
and took a step forward.
"Clodagh," he began, with flash Of
courage, II think you might allow me to be
| more kind to you than you do. I think
might give you more protection. And 1t
has occurred to me that perhaps we ought
to announce our-our engagement"
He halted nervously.
AS soon as he had begun to speak, Clio
dagh had walked away from him across the
room; and now she stood by the mantel-
piece looking down steadily into the fire.
do you agree with met" he asked. NOV
ing nervously toward her.
There was embarrassed silence. And
| in his perturbation he glanced from her
bent head to the picture above the Chin
ney-plece from which Anthony Asshlin's ar
dent face showed out a vague patch Of color
q jfc h1ank hackprOnpd
"Clodagh," he said, suddenly. "Allow me
| to tell Mrs. Asshlin that you have promised
to marry me-"
But still Clodagh did not answer still she
| ing logs, her slight figure and warm, youth
full face ftfully lighted by the capricious,
squirting flames.
"Clodaghw he exclaimed. And there was
note Of uneasiness in his low, deprecat-
Ing voice.
Then at last she turned, and their eyes
met.
Every WE'LL" she said, quietly. you may
tell Aunt Fan: But, if you don't mind. I'll
ride by myself"
That night, at the conclusion of dinner.
the engagement was announced. All the
members of the Asshlin family were seated
about the table when Milbanke, who had
practically eaten nothing during the meal,
summoned his wavering courage and leaned
across the table toward Mrs. Asshlin, who
was sitting upon his right hand.
Mrs. Asshlin." he began, almost maud
| IDLY. 'T-that is, Clodagh and Il He
glanced tinidly to where Clodagh sat, erect
and immovable, at the head of the table.
"Clodagh and I have-have an announce
ment to make. We-that is, L" He
| stammered hopelessly. Mrs. Asshlin, Clo-
dagh has made me very-very proud and
very happy. She has consented toto be
my Wife"
He took a deep, agitated breath of word
| less relief that the confession was made.
There was a long pause. Then suddenly
| Mrs. Asshlin extended both hands toward
| him in hysterical outburst of feeling.
my dear-dear Mr.. Milbanke," she said.
| what shock! What a surprise, should
| say! What would my poor brother-in-law
| have thought! But Providence ordains
| everything. I'm sure I congratulate you
| congratulate you both" She turned to
| Clodagh. Though Of course it is not the
| time for congratulations" She hastily
! drew out her handkerchief.
| AS she did so, little Nance rose softly
| from the table and slipped unobserved from
| the room. At Milbankes words, the child's
| face had turned terribly white, and she had
cast an appealing. incredulous look at Clo-
| dagh. But Clodagh, in her self-imposed
| stolidity, had seen nothing of the express
| sions round her; and now, as her sister left
| 10, -ln ste