Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-10

a helpless fit of laughter whereupon Anne
laughed, too. half Historically, helpless to
stop herself-laughed until the crocuses
shook in their tall yases-and both girls
sank into chairs, laughing and breathless
It's a tudgment-because l wanted him
to Acknowledgment cried Anne, w.ptng
her eyes.
An hour later Anne descended the wide,
open staircase. Her trailing gown hung in
soft, straight lines; a row of tiny pearls
clasped her throat; some crocuses were
tucked in her belt and one crocus nestled
in her hair
At the bottom step Johnson waited
Gentleman to see you, Miss Anne,
done put him in de library"
What is his name?"
y done forgot to ask him his name He
said 20 all was expectin' him.
Her face cleared. Tom. of course. The
gray eyes that had been puzzled glowed
with sudden relief.
Only the freight illumined the library.
casting Pickering, rudy rays upon the
slender figure that came slowly down the
center of the room; very sweet and at
tractive figure, indeed, it seemed to the
eyes of the man standing waiting in the
shadow. Nearer and nearer she came, and
the man stepped forward, offering his hand
II, easy, pleasant greeting, and then stood
spellbound
A vision in soft shfmmerng white press
ed close to his side-his hand, his arm.
was grasped in a warm though unmistak-
able hug you were dear, good boy to
come" the vision said.
T" he began helplessly.
The next moment an embarrasse young
man faced an equally embarrassed young
woman with crimson cheeks and indignant
eyes.
why didn't you speak?" she demanded
wrathfully. II thought 1t was Tom" She
stopped in a vain search for words with
which to annibilate this presuming inter-
loper. you know l thought you were
Tom" she added Indignantly.
would that | were" ferVently
Curiosity tempered the wrath in Anne's
eyes as she raised them to the face above
her. The face of a gentleman, evidently
and extremely good to look at. Just now
amusement struggled with admiration in
the clear-cut features as he stepped for
ward and again held out his hand.
please forgive me- he begged, quite as
contritely as If he really were to blame. i
did not know-it was so insufferably stupid
of me" He stopped. ("You are alto
gether charming" said his eyes)
Annes face softened.
Il am sure DIR. Nelson will intercede for
me- he went on, pursuing his advantage
Anne smiled. DIR. Nelson is not at home.
1 am his daughter" she said simply.
Then we are already old friends" de-
clared the man eagerly. In camp, last
September, your father-but first allow me
to present myself. l am
"Mistah Rexan," announced Johnson at
the library door, bowling pompously as he
held aside the hangings to admit a slender,
the room and then stood uncertainty in the
dim light.
The surprise on Anne's face was equaled
by that of the man beside her. He turned
with a quick start. glanced sharply at the
newcomer, then stood motionless in the
shadow.
with most unreasonable sense of dis
appointment Anne advanced to welcome
the new arrival.
Father will be delighted. He has count
ed so on your coming-we were quite dis
tressed over your telegram. Sc glad you
managed to get here after ALL" She fore
ed herself to the usual conventionalitles.
So this was John Rexall. this man whom
she instinctiyely dreaded-perhaps it was