Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-15

room" And he left the room. CLOSELY fol.
lowed by the others.
Jane was enveloped during dinner in a
SWEEP ana silent melancholy which the
nveliest sallies seemed unable. to pene-
trate. and she carefully avoided the eyes
OF the three men who had been in the
library. Neither did she vouchsafe so
much as glance at Henley, who stared
al her from the other end of the table
With persistency that caused Hardy to
wink surreptitfously at Townsend
AT the conclusion of the meal she slipped
away and could not be found when tables
were being made up for the Inevitable
bridge.
Twenty minutes later, however when tho
moon was Just peeping above the horizon.
In the corner of the piazza farthest from
tne drawing. room. saw a slim figure In
white walk briskly across the lawn
sau.ing nehtly over the low railing, he
started in pursuit.
Jane, he said, sternly. as he reached her
SIDE. what does this mean2 supposed YOU
were IN your room with a headache. ana
emily attired for sailing"
What discerning eve you have Ber-
tie. murmured Jane admiringly; that's
Just what am attired for"
But you certainly aren't going"
Alone? DO you imagine I'd waste this
frock on the moon?" There was a note Of
IMAGINATION In James childish voice Mr.
Heniey has to go away tomorrow morning
and he asked me IL wouldn't go for lust n
couple of tacks in the Swallow. We wont
be gone but half an hour"
far" e 's eo'"s 'oo
TOO far" said Jane. I'm doing lust
what you asked me to. You SAID you want
60 me TO try to make him sentimental, and
,his irocK, In combination with the moon
hght. Is my dernier resort Celeste said IL
was the prettest yachting costume she ever
made. Don't you like it?'
very pretty, said Hardy fixing his
eyes gloomly on the boat house. Here
comes Henley, so I'll be off / won't spoil
your sport this time; but mind you. IL YOU
don't show up in half an hour Ri come out
after you In the launch"
IL was quite an hour later when Jane
again crossed the lawn, and everybody was
on the piazza Henley was holding her arm
IN close clasp, and bending over her I'm
manner that waived the possibility OF
spectators. Hardy, who had been fidgeting
LOT some time, sprang forward to meet
them as they came slowly up the stems
frankie Morrison and Winifred Marie be-
came conspcuously absorbed in their con-
Versation with Leonard and Townsend, and
the others stared curieusly.
Il trust you had a pleasant sail Mtss
Lawrence said Mrs. Morrison fcily
Jane, whose cheeks were a little pinker
than usual. went straight to her hostess
with with a, little gliding motion that was the
envy OF every woman present.
Denshtful she said: until the wind
dled down. We were becalmed for per-
fect age, and didn't know when we should
obligingly started up few minutes ago. I
night "
Henley held the screen door omen for her.
and after she had gone stood with his back
against 1t and beamed benevolently upon
the assembly.
Il shall have to leave very early in the
morning" he said with peculiar ring in
his voice, land don't feel that can wait
for the congratulations of any one of you
u Itll l see you In town, 20 persuaded
Miss Lawrence to let me tell you tonight
that she has honored me by promising to
become my wife,
In the little buzz of EXPLANATIONS ana
laughter that followed this announce
ment no one but Townsend and Leonard
noticed that Hardy was deathly pale and
that his hands were tightly olenched They
exchanged glances. and Leonard put his
hand on Hardy's shoulder.
Come along, old fellow" he whispered
the joke is on us; but we must go up ana
say something pretty just the same"
There is,' said Henley. as he grasped
Hardys hand, only one rift in my lute'
voices $500
THE fear that may be called fortune
hunter"
"one could scarcely accuse you Of that''
HARDY spoke little more slowly than
usual-'we are SO accustomed to seeing the
tickle dame In full chase after you that lie
would be difficult to conceive you in the role
of pursuer"
The girls clapped softly, and Henley
laughed protestingly
Townsend drew Leonard aside
"Hardy's immense" he sighed Did you
notice there wasn't even the flicker OF an
eyelash? But Jane" He paused Seio-
quently.
Jane" said Leonard, solemnly. "Is a
dangerous woman"
Townsend nodded mournfully I'm assent.
AT any rate" he added more cheerfully,
Hardy has done what he promised to. he'a
put Henley out of the running"