Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-01

Once mores she bent and kissed Nance'i
startled. penitent face, and. putting hel
gently from her. rose and walked to the
window.
For some minutes there was silence In
the room: then Clodagh spoke in COM
pletely different voice
Nance" she said, there is something
I want to tell you-something should have
written to you, and didn't
Nance. in the swift relief of her sister
altered tone, sprang to her feet, and, run
her. % -
"And. Clio. there's something I ought to
have written to you. only / was too shy
and had to wait till could say 1t like this,
with my arms round you"
1t was Cf0dagh's turn to look startled.
She tried to hold Nance away from her,
that she might see her face but Nance
only chung the closer.
'Clo, you love me? Oh. say you love
mer'
''Of course. love YOU"
"And you won't be vexedT
What Is it?'
ooh, It's nothing frightening. It's its
about Pferce-Pierce Estcoit-
The words came forth with a tremendous
what Is it?
..He-Cto,~ he wants to marry me. You're
not vexed. Oh. Clio. you're not vexed?"
At last Nance.s arms relaxed. and she
looked up beseechingly into her sisters
face.
In sudden. nervous relief and amusement
Clodagh laughed: then her face became
grave again. and she drew her sister to her
with deep, impulsive tenderness.
''vcxed, darling?" she said. "Vexed?"
Nance kissed her ccStaticafly.
'Oh. the relief of having 1t safd!. She
cried IT have felt like criminal, keeping
it to myself But Pierce said I could do
more with one word than dozen letters"
Clodagh booked down into the pretty,
eager face. and laughed again softiys
though her eyes were full of tears
Pierce was right, she said. Il don't think
any one could say more in one word than
you could But do you love him. Nance!
Do you love him? That il the great, great
thing. And you are so very young
look Of keen anxiety crossed her face aud
she gazed into Nance's eyes, as II striving
to read her heart
Nance returned her look with steadfast
gravity, curious in one SO young:
Next to you. Clio. he's the best person
The tears in Clodaghs eyes brlmrned over
You put me first? Really, Nance?
ReaIIyT'
Nance nodded seriously:
'.And next to you. he's the very pest.
But, Clo"-she blushed deeply-"he wants
me to marry him soon-fearfully soon-in
the autumn. He's coming over with MIS-
Estcoit and Daisy In three weeks time to
try and persuade you. Clio, you re not vexed?
He has promised that we shall be together
more than half every year. II you wish"
Clodagh. touched by pang of loneliness.
turned away and gazed through the open
window across the sleeping country.
"And you love him? You are certain
that you love him?'' She turned again and
laid her hands on her sisters shoulders.
Nance's gaze. wise In its very youthful
ness. met hers unf1inchingly.
Il care for him like care for you. Clio.
And I've cared for you always"
Clodagh drew a long breath.
Then 1 am satisfied. I snail not keep you
LAT ant
she bent forward and kissed the soft hair
above Nance's forehead.
After this seal of love both were silent
for minute or two; then Nance spoke
again. her lashe5 lowered, her fingers
twisted tightly about her sisters.
''Clo. doesn't it seem wonderful that he
should care for niche. who is SO bright
and clever and rich? But I've been lucky
to say 1t before. but wasn't it awfully
kind-awfully good of james,
CIodagh half withdrew her hand. In the
surprising news that Nance had given her
she had forgotten the confession She had
still to make.
"Cio. wasn't it awfully kind Of him."
Clodaeh did not answer at once, and
when she did so her voice was strained
ITO leave you that money?-that thousand
pounds?"
Eyes, the thousand pounds. Clio, you don't
know the dozens and dozens of times 1t has
made he happy to think of that since-sInce
Pierce has. cared for me: II ism thal l
like money for itself. but when one is hor-
ribly poor one Is sensitive about marrying
millionaire I mean, you Know
Again her fingers chung to her sisters. ...
''Yes?'
zone feels that one would like to come to
him with everything that-well-that his
sister would have If she married. It's very
silly. " course Clodagh. do l seem very
silIy?''
At any other time Clodagh would have
smiled at the righteousness of the words;
but now some feeling within herself ban
ished amusement.
what is it. darling9" she asked. There's
something you are trying to say.
Nance looked up into her face.
"Clo IT'S all this stupid pride. or course.
Pierce and Daisy and Mrs. Esteoit know
that have nothing except my share in Or
rfstown-which. of course. Is nothing. And
I know that for all the rest OF my life l
shall be dependent on Pierce for everything.
But It's Just because of that that want TO
come to him with all the things-the clothes
and things-that other girls have. Oh, 1
know it's hateful of me. it's weak and
VAIN .
Clodash pressed her hand suddenly.
mo, darling. l understand"
'You do? Oh. Clio! Dear Clio! Then you
know what the thousand pounds seems Hike!
A thousand pounds, all my own! Money Of
my own to buy beautiful things with
things like Daisy's-things like yours! l,
who have never had penny that really be-
Ionged to me. And. Clodagh. may I have
ii soon? That's what l want to say. May
have it soon? I won't spend 1t all. or
course-not half-nor quarter She
laughed But may l have II soon! lit
would be heaven!
With a swift. involuntary movement, Clo-
dagh freed her hand.
"Clo have said too much! have asked
too much.'
"No, darling. No. No"
Then I've tired you! Clio. you're tired"
She caught Clodagh's hand again. And
YOU wanted to tell me something. Oh. I've
been selfish. Won't you forgive me. and
say 1t now?''
But CIodagh turned from her and walked
to the writing -table-the table on which her
fathers miniature had rested the night be-
fore.
mo. I won't talk tonight, darling" she
said. without looking round. IL think I
have forgotten what was going to say.
CTo be continued tomorrowO
~ YnE