Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-25

only a case to them Mary.
I'm sure he'll be better soon, Harriet,
the girl replied tenderly: let us believe 50
and know so-until 1t is so!
All. l wish l could" she sighed. and
am very selfish. she added: take off your
hat, dear and III ring for tea for you
After awhile. If Archie is better. I'll come
back and sit here with you--or, Mary. go
into the library; Ashley Will take the tea
in there and see to the tire-the big room
may be cool-oh. begin to hope-l do hope
he's better"
I'm sure of it," respond d Mary cheer
fully, kissing her hand to her as she moved
away to the stairs.
In the library the footman had already
put logs the andirOns and cheerful
blaZ- leaped up as Mary took her place De
side Harriet's tea-table. AS she did so a
vision of that early visit and the circle
around that same table rose WILDLY before
her. 1t seemed long while ago. Now she
was intimately one of them, yet she re-
membsred that Portucarrero was still the
unexplained mystery that he had always
been, and Col FOXborO-who absented him
self of lats-was still watchful, and not al
together conquered either by her beauty or
her CoTdaitty Then required her earliest
Impression of Ryland-hut this led to dan
gerous reflections that bordered on the sor-
row and sieepessnass of many nights
She busted herself with those old Canton
cups, which had furnished Christine with
the subject Of Jest. and endeavored to fix
her mind on Harriat's pres INT needs.
Cheever's absence permitted her to stay
and she was thankful that she could bs
within call in case of that dread event
which seemed to overshadow the silence OF
the house like the sable wings of that
grim angel called Fate. She was shocked,
too that her mind was sordid enough 10
admit another thought. wholly selflsh
and cold hearted one a.calculation upon
the results of her stay in Harriet Cheevers
house and its effect in refuting the gossp
about her and Harriet's husband II gossip
~. F,Nt. 4 Tho
disguised that her mind should suggest that
she was astute enough to maneuVer Tor her
own benefit in the face of such trouble as
this: and now that her motives were IL
Illuminated by the limelight Of SuperSenSl-
tive consciousness she began to understand
the interpreta ton that malice would put on
her sincerest actions. 1t was horrible to he
pursued by such thoughts, 70 be suddenly
revealed to herself i'll the aspect that her
enemies would behold and Mary was at
last aware that it is one of the dispensa-
tons of a kind Provid ance that We see in
a glass darkly' and not face to face.
She sat awhile watching the fire leap and
Crackle to "a full and cheerful blaze which
iilumined ona end of the long room. and she
listened intently for a stir overhead or the
hopeful sound of voices. but it was pro-
fouNdly-awfu.ly still. After awhile serv-
ant came in and lit the tapers in the can
delabrum, which had been forgotten In the
unusual disorder. and turned on one or two
of the electric lights, which We're pearl
jnttu SlbD'S SN uiiS III bApiiE' iiStN'i n raitN'
suspended in the arches. The light thus
kindlad was soft and restful to the eye and
in harmony with the subdued aspect of the
place. Half mechanically Mary poured out
a cup of tea and vas playing with the
spoon. in dreamy solitude. when she was
suddenly aware that some one else had
come to inquire; she heard low voices IN
the hall and a step coming toward the Ii
hrary. and looked up as Lawrence Ryland
entered.
His surprise at seeing her there alone
was so evident that Mary colored, not sure
that his feeling was one of unalloyed pleas
ure His face. indeed, changed sharply.
but he came on at once toward her, his
suddenly resumed composure less fiatterng
than agitation. Il am glad you are here,
he said simply. as he shook hands; 1T has
seemed wrong for Harriet to be without
some one like you-some one of her own
sort-at such time I'm afraid the boy is
very i'll
II hope not" Mary replied quickly: II
have been trying to kndle her hopes. she
was despairing. The doctors are up there
now
Ryland nodded II have just seen one at
the door" he replied briefly; there is just
one hOpe-one chance in hundred-poor
little chap
ooh. poor Harriet" Mary murmured.
Ryand walked across to the hearth and
stood looking at the fire. his face half
turned away. In this attitude Mary saw
his strong. clear-cut profile with its stern
lines. and the shivering hopes that were
kindling a desire to confess shriveled up
like the tendrils of delicate vine in an
early frost. She could never confess her
receptions to him; she felt it and her lips
quivered.
Unconscious of her thoughts Ryland
added another throb to her misery. Has
Cheever come back?" he asked abruptly.
Mary clasped her hands tightly under the
table and looked across at him with level
eyes. NO she replied, nor seems ex-
pected."
the worst developed" Ryland said briefly:
Il telegraphed this morning. and tried to
get him over the longdistance at noon. but
failed
such a moment seemed too fragrant for dis
cussion; the unspoken thought made itself
felt instead Neither Ryland nor Mary
doubted that he had gone in the train of
the Syrenes to a weekend party at a IA
nous country house on Long Island
party which had been talked OF for a
month. The shadow of death over the still
house. the consciousness Of the mothers
miserable vigil. the presence of the doctors
fighting for a life so near them. silenced
any word OF reproach Whatever Ryland
thought. he closed his lips and. leaning his
elbow on the mantel. fell into his old atti-
tude of waiting. Two Airdae terriers
Arches especial pets came in disconso-
lately and laid down on the hearthrug with
dropped heads as IT conscious of the
danger which threa tened their little mas
her feet her face almost solemn in its re-
pose. Ryland. looking at her noticed how
white the arch of her brow in the fire.
light and the golden tints of her hair.
How long will this uncertainty last
this dreadful strain?" she asked at last
coloring family as she met his gaze.
The crisis? 1 think the doctors Will
hope much If he lives through the night"
he answered gently: at is as near as that"
She drew her breath sharply, her brows
contracting as if in physical pain. And
Harriet she murmured; Il believe am
a coward: how could l comfort her."
God knows" he said
In that house they seemed to hear every
rustic distinctly. and they were both in
stantly aware of Harriet's approach. She
came in softly. the same strained look
about her eyes and mouth.
You here, Larry" she said; I'm glad
of It. l worrying about Mary here all
alone-I can't come away from his door
they" she stopped. her lips trembling.
they think he's a little easier - he's
asleep
..There-he's better!" Mary exclaimed:
she had risen and was trying to draw Mrs.
Cheever to the table: Harriet, take cup
OF teal know you need it
Y xx,tIl III yyil halr 70 ipk