Evening star., 1907-10-29

cause Vera herself was at that moment
coming down the garden path. The girl 5
face was bright and happy now. Ihe
look of trouble had vanished from her
eyes. The sun was shining full In her
face. and as the countess regarded her
daughter critically she could see no sug-
gest.un of her father in her face. As
Lord RavenSpur moved away Vera TOOK
her place by her mothers side.
What have you two been plotting" she
asked gaily.
I'VE have been discussing your future, -
the countess replied Lord RaVenspur
has been telling me something which, ap-
parently, ! ought TO have guessed before
l was looking forward TO year or two in
your company. but I am told that that is
more than I can expect. There is Ger
tain young m2n-
You are speaking of Walter" Vera
murmured. little color crept into her
cheeks Her eyes were bright and smil-
ing. ''Positive!y there has been no time
to tell you about Walter Do you know.
mother that Walter and myself have
been lovers ever since l was fourteen?
There has never been anybody like Val
ter in my eyes. And then. few months
ago. it seemed to come to me in diff
ferent way altogether. / suppose when
l came to years of discretion | could see
things more plainly. But how could !
marry Walter when | had no name If my
would be sternly opposed to anything Of
the kind. And that is why | wanted to
leave his house and earn my own living
But now that l am a F'iavio, that is a
different matter. We are quite as well
born as the Ravenspurs. and 50 far as
my guardian is concerned-'
"The path is smooth enough now the
countess smiled. Lord Ravenspur told
me just now that he was delighted with
the turn of events. There is no girl he
4 I,t-,~ !, r0fn
than yourself. But l wasn't going to say
that, Vera. What l want to impress upon
you is thiS-l am not going to stand be-
tween you and your happiness for mo-
ment. II your lover wants you now, go
to him and don't consider me Take your
happiness when you get the opp ortunity.
Let me before ! die Sc one DesCaru, at
least. who has her hearts desire. And
now we won't say any more about IT, my
child. After all, | am better treated than
| deserve
The dusk was beginning TO fall at
length. The garden was fragrant with
the scent of flowers, holding their heads
high 10 reach the dropping dew. 1t was
a warm evening, and the French win
dows in the dining room were wild -ly
open. Dinner was almost over. The table
was Uttered with fruit. There was ju:
the suggestion of scented tobacco smoke
hanging on the air. Ravenspur sat chat-
ting almost gaily with the countess ana
iler sister. ne SlpOlO Ildl lL4ltu 4lO4iI
his face now. He appeared to be years
younger during the last few days. Vera
rose from her chair and stood by the
window, drinking in the subtle delights OF
the evening Walter crossed over to her
side and placed his arm under hers.
Come outside" he said. 1T is a shame
t. stay indoors a night like this. Be-
sides. / have something important TO say
to you"
Vera turned and smiled into her lover 5
I face. She.nad never felt the least shy OF
awkward with him-they We're too good
friends for that. They walked in silence
together down the path with the roses
rioting on either side. They came at
! length to a little secluded terrace looking
over the common. Behind the brackeu
and the heather the sun WAS sinking III d
track of golden glory. The after-ltght
shoue in Nera's eyes and rendered them
glorious. Walter turned to her eagerly
He had his arm about her waist now. hel
head bent toward his shoulder. 1t al
seemed the most natural thing in tho
world, the fitting crown to their romance
/ How long is it Walter asked. sine
1 you wanted to run away and leave us?
WON'T ask you why you wanted TO go, be
/ cause my uncle has told me that Ny
dearest girl. there IS no occasion for you
/ to blush and look uncomfortable. / an
/ sure that your motives did you every
credit. But we will pas over that. w,
/ need never allude to it again. | have
/ spoken to your mother, and what my
/ unCle's feelings are YOU know for your
/ self. All the dangers and troubles have
gone now. Everything Hes fair anc
smooth between US. And now, little Vera
when are We to be married?'
Vera turned slowly and thoughtfully
! She laid her hands upon Walters shoul
ders. and looked steadily and lovingly int,
his smiling eyes. Her words were low
and sweet.
Dear old boy" she said. we have al