Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-26
CHAPTER VIII.

grew louder:
Tout casse, tout passe-"
deeper grew Jim's voice as he softly sang
the refrain. Quite abruptly Lady Elizabeth
began:
Shes fine woman jim"
AS she spoke, Jim caught sight Of Diana
crossing to the piano in smiling approba-
ton as the song ceased, and nsweced:
"Diana?"
Diana. NONSENSE Again she watched
Jim's face, but it's grave serenity gave no
sign. Il mean Mrs. Hobart Chichester
Chichester Jones. She's quite the type that
men admire, is she not o.
That's the most offensive thing that one
woman can say about another" Jim laugh
1ngly replied, as he turned from watching
the group in the music room-"isn't 1t,
| Auntie?'
Not at all" Lady Elizabeth fidgeted;
he was making it exceedingly difficult, she
thought, as he leaned over her, his laugh
ing eyes teasing her. The sensible view
of things never appeals to you. Jim; SO
l have hesitated to remind you that Sadie
Jones is exceedingly rich
Did you notice how dafe-ential 1 was.
Aunt?" Jim lightly interrupted. Why,
II you tell me more, l shall scarcely dare
to speak to her"
He drew Lady Elizabeth's arm through
his; he knew what was coming. 1t amused
him, and it also irritated him a little, but
he felt very tender toward his aunt. All
the boyfsh hurt had been forgotten. Her
great endurance of Henrys conduct her
| lndomitable resolution to keep him well
placed in the eyes Of men deeply touched
HIM After all, in her devotion to Henry
there was magnificent capacity for self
surrender. During the past winter Jim had
grown strangely attached to his aunt. and
great pity for the inevitable tragedy Of
her life lay deep in hts thoughts of the
proud old woman. He patted her hand
caressingly.
With almost note of despair she said
And invited her here for this visit espe-
cially for you, Jim
DO you think she would care to add to
her already abundant collection Of
names?"
He would not be serious but Lady Eliza
beth took up his question literally.
Il think she would be very glad to ally
herself with one of the great families of
England. Besides" she continued. as there
was no reply, such a marriage would put
you in position to be of great service
to Henry and the family
Jim distinctly saw Henry's purpose in
this appeal: 1t sickened him-this cold
devilsh seltishness that made his cousin
use all things as means to further his
own ends. His spirit rose in revolt against
his aunt. who, he now saw, was seriously
asking SO grave a sacrifice of him. How
lightly they played with human destinies
Then he conquered his sudden passion. He
spoke in tone of affectionate banter
You dear Aunt-Hen-y and the family
hIe aiming Inc earliest VI my TccOilecllONS
I was taught Henry and the family before
my letters If l found a stray dog, or
| made toy, l was forced to hand it over
to Henry. Why, I remember I gave up a
brilliant offer to enter commercial life
far better suited to my small fortune than
an army career-because 1t would not lend
dignity to Henry and the family" The
hard tone he was struggling to keep down
crept into his voice. The woman l marry
will have a right to expect more of me
than profound respect for her money. and
a laudable desire to promote Henry and the
family
Lady Elizabeth perceived the suppressed
irritation, and for a moment touched
by Jim's reproaches.
One must pay something for the glory
and privilege Of belonging to a great fam
ily.''
Don't you think we pay too great a
price. dear -Aunt?'
Il have never shirked the sacrifices
The worn, tremulous face looked I'D at
Jim with eyes that We're unconscious con-
fessors of the bitter struggle her life had
been. He leaned toward her and gently
took her hand.
No, dear Aunt you haven't You deny
yourself everything. Don't you think 1 can
see that? You stint yourself to the point OF
shabbiness; why, your wardrobe is posi-
lively pitiful! And Mabel-the child has
had no proper education, no advantages;
she has never been anywhere. seen
anything. nor had anything-Henry needed
the money"
we nave Deen as generous TO you ana
Mabel we could, Jim. We must keep up
the dignity and position of the head of the
family" Like wa-horse shifting the pow
der of battlefields at the words family"
and dignity of its head" Lady Elizabeth's
courage rose. In the moonlight jim could
plainly the determined look grow on
her face until it formed granite-lilie lines.
The fox might eat her vitals. but she would
not whimper. The torch of the family was
the light of her declining years as 1t
had been of her youth. 1t was useless to
argue further Jim told himself
The music sounded new dance. 1t was
an oppOrtune moment to escape.
you've been daa--I'm not complaint
ing, only 1 don't think we have the right
to sacrifice an amiable lady on the altar of
our obligations He drew his aunt to-
ward him and leaned over the seat BE
sides, l have no desire to marry at pres
ent, SO we won't speak of this again. will
WEI" AS he spoke he kissed her on the
forehead. God bless youi And now !
must be off to help Di with the dancing"
Lady Elizabeth rose. 1t was Impossible to
resist his tender charm, but his evident in
difference to her wishes vexed her He
crossed to the easement and Lady Eliza
beth called
There's occasional streak of stub
bornness in you, jim"
He smilingly called back. II think it runs
in the family, doesn't 1t, aunt?"
AS he went into the house, he passed
Henry and several of the men busly dis
cussing the condition of the yeomanry, and
the rellef 1und tnat was doing such excel
lent work. Here Henry proved himself of
worth-of his interest in the work there
could be no doubt.
AS Lady Elizabeth stood alone in the
garden, she was conscious that her recent
interviews with Jim had been most unsat-
isfactory. He had a way of not taking the
traditions of her life seriously; he discussed
and dismissed them lightly. She knew that
Henry would be annoyed at Jm's ndiffer-
ence to this fortune within his grasp and
she suspected that there was a cause UNI
knoWn to her for Henry's nervous and upset
condition.
She had inclination to return to the
dance; instead, she crossed to the seat I'M
der the great oak tree, and drew her lace
scarf close about her. The garden was
quite empty. In the distance the yeW trees
| like line of ghostly, fantastic figures
seemed pregnant with sinister forebodings
She shlvered; it was growing slightly cold
She could hear the dancers, and from the
cardp.ayers in the house came sounds of
more life and mirth. Her recent desire to
be alone deserted her-the living warmth Of
the life of the crowds within her reach at
tracted her. The sadness of the moaning
WIND IN the trees she could dispel by re-
turning to her guests-She would do so and
assist Diana in her duties. AS she started
to leave the rose Enclosure, Henry with Sir
John came through the open easement
She noticed the strained look on Henry's
face as he said, mo, no, haven't done it