Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-25

hands stra ned purple as he grasped the
chair rail.
About the-Yeomanry-work? he half
stammercd while his eyes Furtlvely sought
Jim's face.
But Jim. who was thinking only OF Diana
and the difficulty of abiding to Henry's re-
cent conduct, failed to notice his faltering
words and frightened expression.
oh no-no," he answered. That's going
on all right. l hear" He hesitated. Then
with quick breath he said, It's no use.
I've got to blurt out what's troubling me
All the town Is talking about your life; It's
fragrance, It's indecencies Do you realize
that 1t will soon reach Diana, and that
Lady Elizabeth is quivering under the
strain of certain amount of knowledge
which she is hiding. and is dreading fur
Their disclosures? ?"
AS Jim spoke he seemed to gain courage.
Don't speak. Let me have my say" he
quietly commanded as Henry rose and at
tempted a clustering manner Il am the
only man close to Lady Elizabeth and
Diana. For Sir Charles to become aware
of this scandalous condition of affairs
would be disastrous. You know that per-
fectly. Now tell me, In Gods name, why
you married Di If you wished to lead this
life" He paused. Cant you pull yourself
together? It's not too late. SO far nothing
definite is known to either Di or Lady
Elizabeth. and you may trust me-" He
rose and crossed to Henry. It's all true,
] suppose-what I'm accusing You of-isn't
IT, There was no answer. He laid his
hand on Henrys shoulder. Tell me that
It's over and that you mean to go straight"
Henry turned. All his rebellion seemed to
have slipped from him. Suddenly he
dropped into a chair and buried his head
In his hands.
I'm not fit-not fit, do you hear?-for Di.
I married her because l loved her. Yes, ]
did. But you don't know what 1t is to fight
daily the devils desire. God! what do you
know about it? l am III the meshes. l
have sunk lower and lower. You want to
know about this woman the world links
with my disgrace. Well, I tried to break
with her when ! married Dbl swear | did
but l can't. She Is like a dog that one has
grown attached to-you can't fling it out of
your life completely. There has always
been wall between Diana and me. l tried
in the beginning to reach her, but she's
afraid of mel know it."
AS the torrent of words chokel him, he
stopped with quick passion of agony. He
was sincere In this confession of his weak
ness; Jim could not doubt him. though he
was astonished at the admission. He had
expected Henry to assail him with hard
words and insolent denials. The acknowl-
edged truth was sickening. Henry mechan-
ically took some brandy: he seemed a VI
brating bundle of torments
jim watched him closely. Il don't want
to preach, Henry" he said, but when you
stop that'-he pointed to the half-empty
fiask-"you'n have half conquered yourself
and the rest will be far easier This drink
ing Will pull you into days of horror days
that would mean desolation to us ALL
He hesitated. Henry crossed to the chin
ney and leaned against it with his back TO
Jim.
There is every chance for YOU" con-
tinued Jim. In three months you can have
regained your place with Di, and think
think what 1t would mean TO your mother"
Henry did not move; his head was resting
on his outstretched arms, lying across the
mantel edge The broken figure of Henry
touched Jim deeply It's all right. old
ma NJ !;
ness, but, after all, your interests are mine;
your mother and your home ware mine and
Di-was like a little sister SO ] had to
speak III not say another word I'm off,
And almost before Henry could realize it
Jim had left him-left him with the dull
burning in his heart and brain.
So Jim knew. 1t had been a relief to ac-
knowledge his pent-up remorse, but he was
more deeply involved than his cousin sus-
pected. Jim knew but half; the other half
with its awful dreaded discovery walked
ever beside him. He made a sudden rush
TO the door as though to recall jim to I'M
burden himself and be saved but the mo-
mentary impulse died He stumbled heavily
into chair; IL was useless. He alone could
save the situation, and t. half that Jim
knew would be bitter enough to face in his
daily cOmpanionship with him.
Autumn came, with its heather-clad hills
but England retoiced less than usual in the
beauty or the great flower garden which
the entire country side reSembled. Over 1t
all iui6 tllt tTdRlC SymDOl OF The
call OF Africa for men had been appalling
In the park of the Towers detachment Of
yeomanry We're encamped for a fortnight's
training, and the restful beauty of the
place for days had been broken by the fir
ing maneuvers of the men. Tonight all
was quiet, with only the sounds from the
men in their tents family reaching the
Towers Henry was giving a dinner to the
served in the garden. A flaming border Of
evening primroses were opening their vel
low, cuplike blossoms. In the distance
boys clear voice was singing:
oh Tommy, Tommy Atkins, you're good 'un.
You're credit to your country and to all your
native land
Lady Elizabeth had gathered house
party TO see the afternoon maneuvers and
10 remain for the dinner. The bishop leaned
back in his chair and folded his hands over
his apron; his short, lean legs were
stretched out comfortably-the Kerhills
knew how TO entertain the church. he was
convinced. Near him sat Sir John Apnle-
gate and Mrs. Chichester Chichester Jones
Close to great bed of white pansies, with
scarlet standard roses cleaning like senti-
neiS over the delicate white blossoms, were
Mabel Diana and Mr.. Chiswick, the Young
asceuc curate. Henry, who was standing
near Lady Elizabeth, kept his eyes mood
ily on the ground Sir Charles, with
heaVy shawl wrapped around him was
stretched out in a long basket chair.
The air was still that the moving OF a
bird in It's nest or the rustling of a leaf
disturbed its silence.
God bless you, Tommy Atkins
Here's d country's 'ealth to you''
The voice ceased
Sir John had been telling a story to Mrs
Jones of the mule who drew a pension from
the American government
Heard that story in America Rather
good, Ell, Mrs. Hobart Chi" ignomjnious
~ he stood stricken by the American name
Inc bishop seeing his bewiIderment, turned
quickly and whispered the dreadful cog
nomen. AS Sir John finished the broken
sentence there was quiet laugh
Henry leaned over his mother "Nater
he said, don't you think that Mrs. Hobart
Chichester Chichester Jones would make
ripping match for Jim. / wish you'd trv
and make an opportunity to help 1t along,
As he spoke ne already saw the gold
from the Battle Creek mines pouring into
the Golfers of the house of kerhil. LADY
Elizabeth looked up with sudden comprc-
hension. The American was charming. her
look treasured Henry.
Most assuredly. III do what l can"
From the drawing room came the sound
OF music, An impromptu dance had been
arranged by Diana for the young people.
VINO We're beginning to arrive. Al mes