Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-27

'T shall not do that" said she simply.
II believe In you in spite of everything
everybody
"My friendr' he exclaimed, selling one
slim hand and dramatically pressing 1t to
his lips. His fervor was not assumed. In
that slim hand lay his one chance to escape
from the demon that night and day pur-
sued him; that most relentless of all
demons-Poverty.
1t was his only chance. and with the
GOODNESS Of the gambler he took it. NOV
ing cautiously, skillfully. deliberately, I'M
folding his plans with keen eyes that never
left her sensitive. changing face. And she
listened. idly drawing a long-stemmed
flower back and forth between her slim
fingers; listened while the yellow sunshine
Of the golden autumn afternoon enveloped
her and bed Of chry Santhemums bloomed
in riotous. shaggy confusion at her feet.
And as she listened she began to under
stand and her fingers pulled nervously at
the shaggy golden petals in her lap.
''And you-would have me do that?" she
cried aghast.
II would
His dark face glowed eagerly.
"You would have nae marry you today?'
II would"
But in the end she consented.
mot today" she said. her face love-
WI 'eS 'A' wv
How long was the rest of that after
noon? A year? A lifetime? To Sally.
entering the clubhouse for the Halloween
dance 1t all seemed like dream. and yet
the knowledge that she had irrevocably
broken with the old life and merged her
self in another held every thought in thrall.
Inside the clubhouse chrysanthemums
ran riot-massed against the wall and lift
ing shaggy, golden heads in unexpected
corners The committee had evidently sur
passed itself in decorations for this fes-
tiyal OF All Saints Here and there from
among the flowers and bright-hued leaves
jack lanterns stuck out yellow. grinning
heads, while in one Of the cardrooms red
checked apples hung tantalizingly from the
chandelier.
I'm going to slip outside at twelve
O'clock" announced a girls voice laugh
ingly. what for? To see the face of my
true love. Of course. On Halioween-at
Her voice trailed away. and Sally. half
smiling. turned to see Tom Atwood looking
down upon her.
Atwood. taking the hand, retained it half
unconsciously. and, forgetting to return
her greeting, gazed earnestly at her.
You are in trouble he said at last.
If Miss Worthington found anything dis
turbing to her peace in this question she
wise man" she said serenely: "lf the
signs are so plain. reveal me the cause"
his head.
81 haven't seen enough Of you lately to
be. sure"
.'You suspect nobody?" she replied at
random.
There is one person I would prefer not
to suspect" he answered coolly.
'And who Is that?" she returned. openly
scornful.
THAT French masquerader. the so-called
count
The blood rushed to her cheeks This
was too much.
Are you jealous? Or impertlnent?' she
cried, not less furious because her voice
was low. "How manly to say behind a
gentleman's back what you would not dare
say to his face"
Atwood flushed.
'I don't care. he Is not gentleman" he
returned doggedly. "He Is not one of US
and he Is no At companion for you. do
not know what story he has told you. nor
what cards he has played. but know that
what I say Is true" His voice changed.
We've been friends for long time. Sally
DEAR" he begged. TRY and believe that
am sincere in this and let the fellow
drop. II you haven't already done So"
He kept on. urging her for her own sake
with no thought Of advantage to himself
but her mind. hot and resentful. slipped
away from his and started on q Journey o.:
its own.
They were all against her and her high
born lover. whom she alone understood.
What II she should take matters In her