Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-29

It's men like you that keep heaven going
concern, while poor devils like me are
paving the lower regions. Good night to
your!
with a fresh laugh he thrust the great
candlestick into the others hand and turn
ed on his heel.
Milbanke remained motionless. while
Asshlin passed across the hall and opened
the door. letting in breath Of fresh. damp
air that set the candle-fiames dancing: then,
as the door closed again. he turned and put
his hand on the banister.
1t was with a feeling Of unreality,
mingled with the borrowed excitement still
at work within him. that he began his as
cent of the stairs. The natural fatigue con-
sequent on the days Journey had been
temporarily dispelled, and sleep seemed
something distant and almost unattractiye
AS he mounted the creaking steps. moving
cautiously, out OF consideration for the
sleeping household, he found himself wish
Ing incontinentiy that he had offered his
company to his host in his stroll toward
the sea. -.
As the desire came to him he paused
He could still overtake Asshlin! He hest
bedroom to the hall lying below him in q
well Of shadow. Then suddenly he raised
his head attracted by a sound. subdued and
yet distinct. that came to him through the
silence OF the houSe-the sound OF light
hasty steps on an uncarpeted corridor
In the wave of surprise that swept over
him he forgot his recent excitement, his
recent wish for action and fresh air. Lift
ing the candlestick above his head he
peered along the passage that stretched
away beyond his own door. But the scru-
tiny was momentary. Almost at once he
| lowered the candles and drew back. as he
recognized the figure of Clodagh coming
| toward him out of the gloom.
But II he felt embarrassment 1t was EVIL
| she came within few yards Of him she
halted for an instant to assure herself of
his identity: then. her mind satisfied. she
stepped straight onward into the light Of
the six candles.
"Oh, I'm SO gladI" she said. quickly IT
| was afraid for a minute that 1t was father"
As she lifted her face ingenuously even
Miltbanke-unversed in the study OF wom-
en-could not fail to notice. II only vaguely.
the changed picture that she made She
still looked extremely youthful. almost
| childish. but now the youthfulness had a
piquant feminine suggestion that had been
lacking earlier. Downstairs clothed In the
dark cloth habit and wearing her hair
closely braided, she had suggested a charm
ing and spirited boy rather than a girl
| who would one day be woman: here.
| with her thick hair ruff1ed. her bright eyes
softened by the shadows, her figure wrap
ped in the folds OF an old-fashioned dress
her, she wore different aspect. She was
a different being possessing different
CHARACTERISTICS. foreshadowing different
possibilities.
| such revelations. Mlbanke. unimaginative
and embarrassed, scarcely comprehend
ed them; Clodagh herself was hardly
matter in hand. she gave no time to reflec-
ton, felt no awkwardness on the score of
| unconventionality either of hour or dress
i've been waiting up for you." she said,
| quickly. IT couldn't go to sleep till I'd
seen you"
Milbanke was still confused. Moved by
| an underlined impulse, he extinguished three
OF the six candles.
"Indeedr' he said But it's very late
You must-you must be tired"
He glanced uncertainty round the landing
as II seeking chair to offer her. Then an
idea struck him.
"Will you come down-stairs?'' he sur-
gested. THE fire is still alight in the din
ing room You-you must be cold as well
as tired"
But Clodagh shook her head.
We mustn't go down." she said He
might come in and find us-and then we'd
have row. He and OF course. mean."
Then. as If impatient OF the preamble.
she plunged into the subject she had at
| heart
"Mr. Milbanke." she said. will you prom
| Use me not toypot to, after tonight?".
mot to what?' he asked.
"Oh, not to encourage him--not to play
| with him He's running himself and ruin
ing us all. Cohldn't you guess It from din
ner-from the quarrel we had? Oh. he's so
terribly foolish. and-and I'm SO fond of
| him!'
Her voice suddenly trembled, the whole
warm, emotional force of her nature shin
ing out upon him from her eyes.
But he was laboring under the shock her
revelation had given him.
Good heavens, he stammered, Il had
! no idea-no idea of such thing.
mo: l know you hadn't was sure you
| hadn't" Her voice thrilled with quick re-
lief.
mo, no. Certainly not, But tell me about
1t. Dear me-! Dear me! had no idea Of
| such a thing"
.. 'Oh. it began ages ago-before mother
died. Burke says twas the life-the quiet
life after England. He came home you
know. when his father died. and he found
the place in bad way He has never
try and he has never stopped fretting for
the things that aren't here. But while
| mother lived he kept pretty good: twas
after she died that he seemed not to care.
First he got gloomy and sad. then he got
reckless and terrible. People were fright
ened Of him. His friends began to drop
away"
She paused for moment. glancing down
into the hall to assure herself that all was
quiet.
Its been the same ever since. Some
times S IKE and ,dn, ssRressed other
| he's wild, he's mad for cards Oh, you
don't know what It's like! It's like being a
drunkard-only differentiated worse. When
he's like that he'd play with any one-for
anything. Last week he had a dreadful
mana horse dealer from Muskeere-stay-
| Ing here with him for three days. They
played cards every night-played till 3 or 4
in the morning. Father lost all the ready
money in the house, and nearly emptied the
stables" s.~
She paused. exhausted by her earnestness
her lips parted. her eager eyes scanning
her listeners face.
Milbanke stood before her Mortified and
absorbed. An understanding of many
things, before obscure. had come to him
while she was speaking, and with the
| knowledge, a sudden deep pity for this child
OF his old friend-a sudden sense of guilt at
his own blindness. his own weakness.
Miss Clodagh-" he said. quickly. in his
stiff, formal voice. Then he paused as she
raised her hand with a sharp gesture Of
attention.
A heavy step sounded on the gravel out
side the house. There was an instant's
hesitation then Clodagh leaned forward with
swift presence of mind and blew out the
three remaining candles.
you understand now?' she whispered.
Yes" he murmured, below his breath.
Yes; I understand"
moment later he heard her fit down
the corridor, and heard Asshlin open the
heavy outer door.
Globe continued tomorrow