Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09

ing quite ethereal but very lovely"
Il know Her lover was killed in Cuba
and she has been the type of faithful grief
ever since. She looks it and dresses 1t TO
perfection"
And feels it?"
Perhaps she does. am not skilled In
the feelings of pensfve, heart-broken maid
ems. But her case is very common one
Lsoveres are nowhere against husbands, yet
how many thousands of good women
lose their husbands every year? II
they are poor, they have to hide
their grief and work for them
selves and their families; if they are rich,
very few people believe that they are
really sorry TO be widows. Are any poor
creatures more jeered at than widows? No
man believes they are grleving for the loss
of their husbands Then why should they
all sympathize with Claudine about the
loss of iover?'
Perhaps lovers are nicer than tus-
bands
Pretty much all alike. have known
few good husbands Your grandfather was
one, your father another. But you nave
said nothing about Fred. Did he look hand
some? Did he make a sensation Was he
a cousin TO be proud of?
Indeed, Granny Fred was the whole
party. He Is not naturally handsome, but
he has distinction, and he was well-dress-
ed And / never heard any one talk as he
did. He told the most delightful Stories he
was full of mimicry and wit, and said
things that brought every one into the mer-
~ talk; and ! am sure he charmed and
astonished the whole party. Mr. Denning
asked me quietly afterwards what univer-
sity he was educated at l think he took
it all as education, and had some wild
ideas Of finishing Bryce in similar man
ner."
Madam was radiant. I told you So" she
said proudly. The Mostyns have intellect
as well as land. There are no stupid Mos
tyns. l hope you asked him TO play. /
think his way Of handling a piano would
have taught them a few things Russians
6 T.-T1 ala
things How can they have any feelings
Ieft@'
"There was no piano in the room, Gran
ny, and the company separated very soon
somehow you ought to have managed
it, Ethel" Then with q touch Of anxiety.
Il hope all this cleverness was natural-I
mean / hope II wasn't champagne. You
know Ethel, we think as we drink, and
Fred Isn't used to those frisky wines. Mos
tyu's cellars are full of old sherry and
claret and Fred's father always
against frOthing, sparkling wines"
Granny 1t was all Fred. Wine had
nothing to do with 1t. but certain woman
| had; in fact, she was the inspirer, and
Fred fell fifty fathoms deep in love with
her the very moment she entered the room.
/ He heard not, felt not, thought not, so
struck with love was he. Ruth got him to
a window for a few moments and so hid
his emotion until he could get himself to-
gether"
"Oh what tale! What cobweb talei
l don't believe word of it." and she
laughed merrily.
It's true as gospel, Granny"
Name her, then. Who was the woman? %
1T IS beyond belief, above belief, out of
all reason. 1t cannot be. and 1t shall not
, be, and II you are making up story to
tease me, Ethel Rawdon -
Grandmother let me tell you Just how
IT came about. We were all IN the room
waiting for Dora, and she suddenly enter
| ed. She was dressed In soft amber silk
| from head to feet: diamonds were in her
black hair, and on the bands across her
shoulders. on her corsage, on her belt, her
hands, and even her slippers. Under the
electric lights she looked as If she was IN
golden aura, scintlIlating with stars. She
took Freds breath away He was talking
10 Ruth and he could not finish the word
he was saying Ruth thought he was going
to fam
Don't tell me such nonsense"
We'll, grandmother, this nonsense is
truth AS ! said before, Ruth took him
aside until he got control of himself; then
as he was Dora s escort, he had to 20 to
her. Ruth introduced them. and as she
raised her soft. black eyes to his, and put
her hand on his arm, something happened
again but this time 1t was Ike possession.
He was the courtier in a moment, his eyes
flashed back her glances, he gave her smile
for smile, and then when they were seated
side by side he became inspired and talk
ed as l have told you. 1t is the truth
grandmother.
well. there are many different kinds of
fools but Fred Mostyn is the worst 1 ever
heasd tell of. Does he not know that the
girl IS engaged"
KNOWS IL as well as | do"
None OF our family were ever fools be-
fore. and l hope Fred will come round
quickly. DO you think Dora noticed the
Impression she nader
Yes Aunt Ruth noticed Dora; and Ruth
saws Dora turned the arrow in the heart
wound all the evening.
What rubbish you are talking Say In
good English what you mean"
sShe tried every moment they were to-
retber 80 make him more and more in love
with her
carry on that way for nothing"
~ do not know. Dora has got beyond
me lately. And. grandmother. I am not
troubling about the event as 1t regards Dora
| or Fred or Basil Stanhope, but as II regards
Ethel"
what have you to do with it?''
THAT is just what want to have clearly
understood Aunt Ruth told me that father