Evening star., 1907-09-01

she said: don't try to explain; it is enough
that you have come"
Il tried to come before" he hurried on,
holding holding out @ his hands: Il tried to come last
"Ah," she murmured, Col Foxboro told
you"
He hesitated. YES" he admitted, "and
confess-that for a moment didn't under
stand-I was puzzled"
She held up her hand and stopped him.
Il know, she said simply; lit is hard to
say goodbye"
II have come instead to ask you again,
to ask you with all my heart to be my
wife" he declared with strong emotion in
his face and voice.
She looked at him sweetly, a beautiful
light in her eyes. II am so glad" she said
softly, that you came, that you are what
you are l am SO proud of you, so hopeful
and trustful for your future, your great
future. Some time we shall meet again"
My God, Mary!" he exclaimed, what
folly Is this? What can part you from ne?
Let all this go; forget it, cast it aside.
love you-you-oniy you!''
But she drew back. holding him off with
sad little gesture. do you think me so
to spoil your life, now at the beginning Of
a career?'
"You do not love me!" he exclaimed pas
sionately; that is the truth"
She smiled sadly. Must love be selfsh?'
she asked: Lawrence, I must go-but-
some time-if there is any change"
Il cannot believe you love mel" he pro-
tested with mans headlong blindness;
1T is always the same, you are as elusive
as shadow, you slip from my arms like
a ghost
She was silent, looking away, a certain
gentle beauty in her expression. 1T is
best so-unless-' she could not tell him
Of the wild hope which was tugging at her
heart in secret
UNLESS you grow to love me-" he said Bit
terly, us that what you mean?"
"Ah, what is the use?' she answered
softly; you cannot underestimate. too have
pride in myself, in many things. 1 can't
tell you now-wait!"
He misunderstood again: his own
Struggle had been bitter one-to overcome
Inherited .prejudices, pride of birth and
place-and he had let his love conquer all
his scruples. He did not comprehend that
her pride was as great as his. 1T is for
you to say he said bitterly; II have asked
you three times to be my wife, Mary. I
shall never come again unless you send for
me!'
She clasped her hands tightly to hide
their pitiful trembling and for a moment
she could not speak Then: II win come"
she said softly, ''if there is ever any
change-I will come. Forgive me, Law
rence!
1t was late; she had refused to leave her
room and had only tasted morSel of the
dinner which Christine had sent up. She
was trying to distract her mind with a book
when a tap at her door announced Mrs.
Jerome. CnrlStln6 was IN Q1nner dress, ner
large white shoulders well out of the straps
and her hair piled up in marvellous fash
ion by the hairdresser who did all the heads
in her set and all the regulations at
markably small price per capita. Mary
told her to come in, not too cheerfully, and
Christine came with look half alarmed,
half excited. Mary" she said in a stage
whisper, Father Chaudiere is downstairs,
he's come to take you to the embassy.
Portucarrero is dying and has sent for you.
What in the world do you suppose he
wants?''
Mary sprang to her feet. "Oh, Christlnel'
she exclaimed, why did you delay a mo-
ment-couldnt the butler have called me at
once?"
MY dearp protested Mrs. Jerome, "of
course I had to see Father Chaudiere, I'm
a dreadful heretic but 1 know how to be
nice to the cloth, and 1 came as soon as l
could. There, put on your cape straight
how white you are, Mary! OF course I'm
to go?' she added eagerly.
Mary hesitated a moment, looking at her
doubtfully. with priests it neces-
sary?" she demurred-