Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-24
THE SQUAW, MAN
A NOVEL ~ ,9UIiE OPP FAvERsHAM.
tcopyrisht. 1sos. By Hape. I Bro,

promised Mr.. Bond that you would surely
give your decision on the picture today"
Diana protested. Besides. 1t is difficult
Tor me to take all the responsibility in the
matter. and the picture must be sent to-
gay to the exhibition. Do meet me there
later, Henry"
days; his financial worries were now vital
to his honor. Into his eyes came the brutal
nash that Jim knew SO well, and he hur-
riedly interviewed, "In go with you. Dt,
With pleasure, II 1 can be of the slightest
service to you
Instead of helping the situation, Jim
found that his quick acquiescence, al
of further irritating him. Henry turned
from the door. to which he had crossed
with the crumpled note in rs hand; all the
fame.
There! You have Jim. What more can
you wish? You. hero's opinion will no
doubt interest you far more than mine. so
don't talk rot about your disappointment"
Diana stood silent, amazed at her hus-
bands uncalled-for fury. Jim found it i'm
possible to speak The servant returned to
see If the answer to the note was ready
Henry commended for a few seconds with
a tempestuous remorse as strong as the
flare Of his nervous outbreak; he bitterly
regretted his lack Of control. He had tried
to conceal the strain he had been under
all the day; to be thwarted as he ap-
parently was by the news from Petrie was
to arouse the demons of destruction in
him destruction to himself as we'll as to
those near him. He cursed himself as the
victim Of his own folly; but to see Jim
master Of the situation reused the old re-
bellion Of his boyhood. A movement from
the waiting servant recalled him, and with
few words of half-muttered apology he
huriedly left the room A moment later
they heard him drive away.
From so small a matter so great q con-
sequence had arisen This insight into
Henry's nature again showed Jim the
quicksands on which Diana's happiness
was built.
To Diana the incident was embarrassing.
but with infinite tact she made allu-
sion to it. Jim marveled at the quiet con-
troll with which she deftly turned it aside
The carriage was announced
will you come, Jim?' Diana asked.
He hesitated.
DO" she coaxingly said, at would help
me-"
Under the calm. serious face he could see
the tremulous expression that showed her
quivering, hurt feelings. The tender ewes
held him fast. Still. he hesitated. AS in a
moment Of provision he was urged to say
no; 1t seemed as though he were starting
on a way that led him into darkness. The
him in a tight grip; he tried to stammer
a few words; he was irritated by his ap-
parent stupidity; then he heard Diana say:
Let me decide for YOU.
AS she spoke q shaft OF golden light pene-
trated the room. Why should he not 20?
He quickly threw off the intangible feeling
Of fear. He told her he was only too happy
to be Of service. 1t was a warm, mellow,
summer day, and the soft, alluring air
quickly lulled Jim into a tranquil mood
AS they stood before the portrait Jim
knew that 1t was one of the painters true
inspirati tons. The simple brown gown in
which Diana had been painted brought out
the gold in the bands of her straight hair 1t
faded away into a dull background, leaving
only her luminous face in high relief. The
painted oval contour and the: curved lips
were there in all their beauty; but the
shadowy eyes unconsciously showed the
troubled soul. 1t was portrait of Diana
older in years and experience. The painter
seemed to have passed by her obvious youth
and OWNED her in her maturity. Curiously
enough, the portrait stirred Jim more than
his meeting with Diana had done.
When they descended to the carriage
Diana said: Come and drive-not in the
park, but let US go along the Embankment
across the bridge toward Richmond l long
for a breath of the country" This time he
made no effort to resist her appeal.
AS they drove Jim learned from Diana
the news about Sir Charles. His i'll health
had greatly increased, and a London spe-
cialists opinion had been far from san
the beginning of the end: as she spoke Jim
could read the anguish Of her thoughts.
Once she turned to him and said:
Il have so few to love"
Soon they found themselves talking mer-
rily over gay "reminiscences Of their child
hood days The hours slipped by and it
was only the deepening of the shadows that
reminded Diana that she was entertaining
the prime minister that night at a large
dinner party. The return home was quick
ly made.
Wont you dine with us, Jim?" Diana
asked as they reached Pont street. I'VE
can easily lay an extra cover"
But Jim, feeling that it would be better
not to see Henry that night, pleaded an en-
gagement at his club. He left Diana with
a promise to see her soon.
That night he forgot her unusual beauty;
he remembered only the fragrance Of her
personality. During the following week he
obtained a leave of absence, and with Sim
gleton planned to go abroad Why he did
this he could not quite explain. He saw
Diana and Henry only once before leaving
for his holiday. That was in June.
CTo be Continued Tomorrow