Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-05


people for list OF names and she saw the
little flush that Redeemed Nells tanned
cheeks when Frank insisted that she ask
his friend Phil Bradley. Frank insisted that
he didn't know a girl that he would want
around for two weeks other than the ones
who were there already. but promised to
be nice to those whom the Ally would in
wife.
There was fortnight of merrymaking.
and when 1t was all over, all the guests de-
parted but Phil Bradley. who moved his
that day on the quartet was as much In
evidence as the couple had been. Nell was
observed to be very polite to Franks guest,
and the Ally, in the role of comforter to
Frank, was eminently successful.
The Old Lady beamed upon Philip and the
warmth of her smiles penetrated even TO
the depths of outer darkness where Frank
was supposedly crashing his teeth. She did
not take the trouble TO stfffen SO very much
now when she met the Old Gentleman, and
she even allowed herself the luxury of a su-
percilious smile, for she had no other tdea
than that the dearest wish of the Old Cen
tlemans heart was to marry his son to her
daughter.
And as for the Old Gentleman, he was
seer to cut an insuitingly wide swath around
the Old Lady's floating silk draperies and
was heard to hum as he twirled his cane:
1--WE never speak we pass by,
Although a tear bedims her eye,
know she thinks of her past life
Tunl-dtdi-tuml'
a song which made the Old Lady twitch
with wrath.
Spring grew into summer. and the days
heightened and warmed into a flawless
June. The four were still in evidence. and
there were no signs OF Philips visit coming
to end
one GREATNESS sultry day. nothing daunt-
ed by the weather. the old lady donned her
black silk coat, armed herself with a Ltmsv
sunshade which she never used, because 1t
was too much trouble to hold 1t up, and set
To 1. Na1l Ia
slowly through little park enjoying the
sudden GOODNESS without thinking OF the
reason for it. when gust of wind seized
her ample silk skirts and pulled them out
most indecorously. Then she discovered
that a storm was brewing.
She fastened her steps. but the rain fell
In sheets before she had gone dozen
yards. Blinded by the shower of drops on
her glasses, and frightened out of all rea-
son by the lightning, the poor Old Lady,
clnging to her lace parasol and attempting
to control the billowing sails of her skirts
with which the wind was taking all kinds
of lawless liberties. scurried to the foot of
a great oak tree for shelter. She did not
notice that an old gentleman was there al
ready, twirling his gold-headed cane be-
tween his hands and humming carelessly
as he watched the newcomer scuttle like
hen in shower under the thick branches
of the trees where he stood. When he saw
that she did not see him he turned his
back and stood dignifed and motionleSS
Inc Ola Lazy went crash iillo his DdCk,
humping off her glasses and filing her soul
with dismay and terror! Even then she did
not realize that he was anything more than
a man Fumbling for her glass chain, she
mumbled a confused apology, which the
Old Gentleman answered with snort and no
words. When she succeeded in getting on
the glasses and recognized him she stin-
ened into a sudden and ridiculous dignity.
Gathering up her skirts over her right foot,
and without turning her eyes from his face,
She backed slowly around the trunk of the
big tree as he retreated on his side In a
moment again they went crashing squarely
into each others backs.
Really, madam shouted the Old Gentle
man.
"Sir." Missed the Old Lady. And then they
glared again. But somehow before he real
lied that he was losing dignity the Old Gen
tlenan'S eyes began to twinkle humorouSly,
and then he laughed outright. The Old Lady.
painfully aware of a rain-soaked bonnet
and wind-blo locks, tried TO retire with
dignity, but her chin quivered, and to her
undying shame she stood before her enemy
and sobbed The Old Gentleman, greatly
taken aback because he had remembered
her quick sense of humor cleared his throat
in embarrassment and then threw away the
remnants of his precious dignity.
There there. Molyr' he said, patting
her arm. II wasn't laughing at you any
more than l was at myself. was just
thinking what a precious pair of fools
We've been to wait all these years for a
wretched thunderstorm to bring us to our
senses" She was still sobbng, and he
went on:
Il was pretty badly cut up when you
married Coover All the more SO because
If I hadn't been stubborn about that trip
we quarreled about you wouldn't have mar
ried him. And then l had to show you
that l proud as you, and $3.50 our
children are started just as we were thirty
wears ago lie passed her his handker-
chief and she mopped her eyes.
You weren't any more to blame than
l was" she said and when you hear
what i've" and she cried again.
Molly" he said. aren't those young
people out picnicking? Wen, then, they
are safe at some farm house You hurry
home and get into some dry clothes ana
we will take that wedding trip we missed
vet. Wen take the 3 O'Clock train into
town and be married, and then Wen come
out here and give our blessing to Nell ana
Frank. 1t Will be too late for them 10
object then. Hurry now!" and she hurried.
1t was not until they had nearly reached
their station on their way IN that she re-
membered to finish the confession he had
cut short. And then she faitered;
II don't know what you will think OF
me- but 1--we been trying to make Nell
give up Frank I've been trying to make
her fail in love with some one else, and il
you forgive me l want you TO help me
bring them together again But the tram
had stopped and he had no time to answer
till they were on their way out to the
suburb again. They both looked conscious
and a little guilty and DID not feel Ike
talking. He held her hand in the shadow
Then he remembered.
II don't know what you Will think of
me- he said but I've been trying to keep
Frank away from Nell with all my might.
And I am worse than you for l got Mrs.
Renolds to help met The Old Lady
snatched her hand away and sat up very
straight looking at the Old Gentleman in
a most accusing manner
Well my dear. / am not so clever as
you and so l did not know But she
paid no attention to his stammerfngs.
you got Mrs. Renolds to help you? She
was helping me!'
'Why, no, l am positive" said the poor
Old Gentleman.
But tell you she was helping me cure
Nell of her infatuation for that Frank
she stopped suddenly, remembering TO
whom she was speaking. But the Old Gen.
tleman was not noticing.
We'll then she's made fool of US both.
and now she can just get to work and help
patch things up between those two broken
hearted children" He helped the Old Lady
down the car steps and they walked
through the cool streets to the Old Ladys
home
Sounds OF merriment rang out on the
still air and, unheard, the newly married
couple mounted the stepe and stood on the
porch looking through the bright windows,
the shades of which were undrawn.
Nell was playing ragtime upon the piano
and to the music Frank and the Ally were
Il y0fp A.