Evening star., 1907-07-23

Yet might not Henry's character have been
| redeemed by his love for Diana? Jim knew
that the meager fortune of Sir Charles Mar
torfbanks could not be a material factor
| In the marriage. This proved his most reas-
suring thought. Then his memory reverted
| to Diana, and he recalled the child Di. who
had clung to him on the morning Of his de-
| parture and begged him to return He re-
membered how as boy he had often
played that he was her knight. and fought
! the unseen foes that were supposed to lurk
IN the alleyways OF the giant trees. Was IL
prophetic vision of the future?
He rose from his chair. Sweeping clouds
were rolling over the pale moon The desc
lation Of the place grew more terrible
Far out at sea he could see the black
phantom ship now appearing now disap-
pearing. 1t seemed at the mercy of the
heavy vapors that a. times touched its top
masts. The desire to reach England again
grew strong in him. He felt he had a pur-
pose to fulfil.
swept from under a heavy cloud, shaped like
the wing of monster bird. Across the
road he could see the struggling groups Of
travellers returning from the festivities
Their tired excited voices reached him. and
he was glad to escape from the hotel and
make his way to the waiting dinghy. Dun
lap and Singleton Joined him, and as he
leaned back in the skif, strong and inces-
SAINT the incoming tide that beat against
the boat grew the strength Of his resolve.
Diana should obtain happiness IL lie could
serve her to that end.
Three weeks later the Crocodile swung
into the harbor at Portsmouth. A sym
phony in blues and greens greeted Jims
eyes as they anchored within sight OF the
Victory. An English June sky with riotous
blues-from the palest faky azure to the
deepest turquoise-aung in the heavens
| over a vivid green sea. The very atmos-
phere seemed floating about In nebulous
clouds of pearly tinted indigo. To Jim 1t
was like the beauty of no other land.
Toward evening Jim reached London. Tho
town was alive with the roar and rush of
hansoms and crowded buses carrying the
day's workers to their homes. His cab
turned from st. James Park into the Mall
toward his club. How he loved the gray.
ma jestic beauty Of the place!
The expected arrival of the Crocodile had
been duly noticed by the papers, and his
part in the brilliant work Of his regiment
warmly commended. At the club he found
them was from Diana, urging him TO
come to them at once. 1t seemed the letter
of woman calm in her established woman
hood. Henry and t. 1t said, will be SO
happy to see you tomorrow at luncheon at
o'clock. Do come" The letter further
told him that Lady Elizabeth and Mabel
were staying at the Towers. Henry
wanted a town house, so We are settled at
Pont Street for the season"
Late that night Jim sat alone In his club.
and wrote an answer to Diana's letter. He
spoke of his pleasure in being able to go to
them on the morrow, but its phrases gave
no sign of his intense feeling and his great
desire for her happiness. He left the club
and walked to the pillar-box opposite. He
slipped the letter into the slit OF the box.
and slowly retraced his steps. A slight
haze was beginning to creep over the city,
and In the distance II looked as though
gauze theater-drop was shutting of the
scene from the spectators.
Jim was loath to leave the streets. There
was enchantment for him In the smoky
atmosphere that intoxicated him. The call
of London was in his blood. As he crossed
the quiet square near the Mall. he stretched
out his arms. and youth and the joy of life
rang out in one great cry-Oh, IL was good
to be hOmel
(To be Continued Tomorrow