Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-25

sure him to walt full ten minutes In an
obvious parlor, full of rosewood and broca-
telle horrors, and miscalled bric-a-brac. A
picture over the mantel fascinated him-a
woman's picture. with triple chins lying
within fiercely outstanding lace rum and
frowsy mat of very short ringlets. tumbiing
almost into the eyes, One fat hand, stifny
extended. cleaned with rings-every man
ner of rings. A maIevolent turquoise was
held between thumb and foreftnger, as II
being appraised. The light was dim. al
though both the tall windows were unshut-
tered.
MaIlibone stood staring upward and lis
tening to the humping of his heart. He
heard nothing else until high faisetto
voice said little way behind him: so you
too. are fascinated by our heirloom. 1t Is
q good beginning"
He turned to see the heirloom's counter
part-the same frowsy ringlets, bottle nose.
and stiff. chubby hand. The chins he could
not see. for an enveloping run. not OF lace.
but full and fuzzy. quite swallowing neck
and shoulders. The woman was reasonably
tall-more than reasonably plump. Her
gown fitted like wax-indeed. there was
something very like waxworks in her pose
and attitude.
II am Rose-Roya Confess I shatter
your IDEAL" she said holding out her hand.
It was gloved. very tightly. Somehow Maili-
bone managed to take it, pull himself to-
go beyond my IDEAL"
AS he dropped the hand he felt like drop
ping himself. He was limp throughout.
and cold and sick. The woman half turned
from him. motioning him to a chair. She
herself stood a minute. as If uncertain
then began to shake and put her hands over
her face.
Mallibone sprang up awkwardIy and
made step toward her. but drew back.
dazed and uncertain. He wanted to fly,
but manhood babe him stay. ''You-you
won't mind I-hope-I-I-am little over
come-you know you kept me-waiting,"
co of 10 OF In, nhnlx cd
from out the niuffle of silk handkerchief.
AS she stood Mallibone noted that the
curls were dyed. 1t needed but that to de-
eide him-he hurried toward the door, with
scious only of the impulse Of flight.
His hand was on the knob when he
heard soft thudding sound, and under II
uproarious giggles. Then came Allison 8
own voice, saying: Turn again, Whiting
ton. You may not be lord mayor of Lon
don town. but you may have a good laugh"
and as he stayed his flight to look he saw
the wig and ruff and glasses lying on the
floor where merry Allison had thrown them
saw Allison herself slip of the false bot
tie nose. then run behind an aggressive
screen, and come back fully clad but free
Of her padded chrysalis.
She dropped him little courtesy and said
roguishly: Poor dear Rose-Royal. You
are very ungrateful to run away from her
after the trouble she took to be-some-
body other than herself
You don't mean-you can't" Malli-
bone began, selling both her hands and
making to kiss her.
But l do mean-and I can-Im Rose
Royal-who but me. / always had a taste.
a talent almost for making up" Allison in
terrupted. ALSO for hyming-though /
kept 1t dead dark But 1t got the better OF
me now and then-and 1 was afraid any
way, IL I didn't let 1t, some day / should
do some awfully foolish thing. like to be
sensible most Of the time-writing verses
helped-it was sort Of escape valve. you
know- -
"But-but why didn't you tell me?" Malli-
bone interrupted. still holding her fast
Allison dropped her eyes and flushed un-
til she was indeed a rose-royal as she an
swered: How could L? The-the rhyminG
was-all because loved you"
Mallibone wanted to kneel to her. In
stead he took her boldly in his arms. and
and said, dropping kisses upon her soft
hair: II have been blind. indeed but now
4 aee"