Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-12
with him, until at last nobody dared to rule

with him, until at last nobody dared to rule
him.
can you imagine how man like that
would bring up a daughter-you who had q
mother to help you in every year OF your
hfe?'
Her blue eyes darkened with intensity.
Our home in Ireland is big lonely
house on the seacoast Imagine growing
up in house like that, without care or
money or friends-for father drove all his
friends away. Imagine Clos life! Her only
learning was what she got with our cousin
from the schoolmaster of the nearest viii
lage; her only amusements were sailing
and riding and fishing. She never had the
love or friendship of a woman of her own
class; she never knew what il was to be
without the dread of debt or disgrace: and
then, at eighteen. she married the first man
who came into her life-not because she
liked him-not because she wanted to
marry. or knew what marrying was-but
because he had saved our fathers honor by
paying his debt"
She paused to take breath, but before
Gore could speak she went on again.
DO you know what l always wonder,
Walter. when think of Clodagh?"
Gore made low murmur.
II wonder. considering everything, that
she hasn't done really wrong things, in
stead of just terribly foolish ones. 1t doesn't
seem strange to me that she should have
behaved like child, when she first felt
what 1t was to be free and fattered and
admired. Listen, Walter! There have been
Neither of you has understood. You have
been too proud, and she has been too much
afraid. But am not afraid"
And in the prosaic London cab, with her
colored sky that hung above the house
tops, Nance performed her second act of
love. While Gore sat silent she poured
forth the whole mistaken tale of Clodagh S
life from the days in Venice to the hour of
her departure for Ireland. She omitted
nothing, she extenuated nothing. With a
strange instinct toward choice of the right
weapons. she fought for her sisters future
Everything was told-Lady Frances Hope
poisoning of Clodagh's mind against Gore
himself-the scene with Serracauld in the
card room-all the temptations, all the fol-
lies confessed In the darkness of the nights
at Tuffnell, and in Clodaghs own bed room
on the night she visited Deerehurst. 1t
was the moment for speech, and she spoke.
Her own shyness, her own natural reticence
were swept aside by the great need of one
who was infinitely dear. The scene at Carl
ton House Terrace she described without
fiinching; for candor and innocence move
boldly where lesser virtues fail and falter.
She told the story with simple truth that
was more dignified than any hesitancy.
When at last she had finished, Gore sat
for a space, very silent and with bent head;
then abruptly, as If inspired by sudden
resolution, he put up his hand to the trap
in the roof.
1.-The nearest telegraph officer he called
as the cabman looked down.
The man whipped up his horse; but Nance
turned sharply.
What are you going to do?"
ITO wire to Clodagh."
ITO Clodagh?"
Yes"
But Clodagh doesn't know! Walter, you
haven't told Clodagh? Walterr
Gore bent his head. II wrote to her the
night saw Frances Hope" he said. ''She
mad my letter this morning"
This morning. 1t was impossible to
fathom the pain and alarm in Nance's
voice. What did you write''
VERY little Just that I knew about
Deerehurst-that 1 thought it better we
should not marry"
And she got that letter this morning?
She has been hours and hours and hours
alone, believing that you don't love her
that she is left utterly by herself? Ohv'
Nance, don't. I'm sufficiently ashamed !"
Nance put her hards over her eyes,
Pm not thinking of your she said,
cruelty
Il know. But remember there's the wire
We can still wire. l shall tell her that you
and I are coming for her to Ireland-that
she will never be alone again."
Nances hand dropped.
But you don't understands she cried
mo telegram can reach her tonight 1t
will only get to Carrigmore tomorrow morn
ing-and from there to Orristown. If we
were to give everything we have in the
world-if we were to die for tive could
not save her from the blackness the lone
illness, and horror of tonight"
(To be concluded tomorrow)