Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-09
CHAPTER I.
PLAYING Truant.


fantastic shape, some in small half-trans-
parent wisps like sunlit ghosts were driven
rapidly across the blue. Hurrying shadows
fecked the swelling bosom of the downs,
and where the grass was long 1t rippled like
a green sea, making rustling music. Over
head the larks fiuttering upward, ever-di-
mInishing specks to the empyrean, carolled
their joyous song, and a thousand perfumes
filed the air. 1t was morning to live in,
to enjoy, to take into ones lungs in deep,
intoxicating draughts, until the sorrows of
life and Its cares were forgotten; morn
ing that lent strong wings to ambition, fill
ing the future with hope and the promise Of
realized desires.
Something of the aspect of the morning
was reflected In the face of the man who
stoutly climbed the downs against the wind.
He was above the average height but did
not give the impression of being tall. His
frame was well knit and muscular; strength
and power of endurance above the common
were evident in every movement: and there
was quiet determination in his face which
proclaimed him one of those who would be
likely to succeed in anything he undertook,
no matter what dangers and difficulties
might stand in his path, one who would
march straight forward to his object even
as he breasted the downs this morning.
Most men would have pronounced him
handsome, judging, as men ever do, by
build and MUSCLE women might have hesi-
tated to give an opinion in spite of the we'll
cut, clean-shaven face, and the dark blue
eyes which never looked away from per-
son with whom their possessor talked. Per-
haps there was want of sympathy in the
face, a certain lack of that gentle Difference
which appeals to women in a man, that
silent recognition Of the womans power
which is so pleasant to her.
Desmond Ellerey had had little to do with
women He did not pretend to understand
them, and 1t had never occurred to him that
there was any reason why he should strive
70 40 IL cd a nf NM
mentS in their company, but one woman
was pretty much the same another to
him, and 1t is quite certain that no such
thing as a faded flower, or a glove or love
token OF any kind held a place among his
treasures. No woman in the past had given
him single heart throb which love lent
sense Of pain to. and it seemed unlikely that
any woman would wish to do so now. For
Desmond Elerey was a man under cloud,
very black cloud, the gloom Of which even
this breezy morning could not entirely dis
pei from his face He had set himself to
bear his burden bravely, but the task was
heavy one. Surely those straightforward
blue eyes gave the lie to much that was
said against him?
There were few hours in the day in which
he did not brood over his trouble, over the
loss of his career which il involved and as
he approached the top of the downs his
eyes were bent upon the ground in deep
thought. while in his heart was fierce rebel
lion against the world and his felow-men.
He was suddenly startled by a sharp and
was aware of a straw hat racing past him
a little to his left A run of few yards
enabled him to intercept 1t, and he grasped
1t in his strong fingers. regardless of the
flowers and ribbons upon 1t. Then he
turned to discover the owner.
She was standing on the summit of the
downs, her loose hair streaming in the
breeze. She did not come to meet him, but
waited for him to go to her
i am afraid it is not improved" he said,
handing her the hat.
II hardly expected it would be when I
saw the way you dived for it," she answered
with a smile; but thanks all the same.
Had 1t got past you, II would have been
goodbye to it altogether. Isn't this q
morning."
Very pleasant after the rain" he said
Pleasant" she cried. 'Is that the best
you can say for it? Pleasant! Why 1t
makes me feel that there Is nothing in the
world which is beyond my power; no diff
Guilty 1 could not fight and overcome; no
danger / could not despise and laugh at.
My blood is fun of the very fire of life, and
i pant to do something unex-
pected, outrageous desperate. Don't you
ever feel like that?'
Sometimes"
He has the world before him, with its
high places waiting to be won. There is
nothing out OF his reach, if he strive suf-
i wish i were a mani"
There was a half whimsical smile upon
Ellerey's face, at her enthusiasm, and in
his eyes a look of admiration, which he
could not conceal, at her beauty Her loose
hair streaming In the wind was the color of
FURNISHED copper. rich as golden autumn
tint in the glow of evening sun. Her
eyes were dark, yet of a changeful color, as
full of secrets as deep pool in the hollow
of a wood, quiet, silent secrets which pres
emily. when the time came, lover might
seek TO understand, yet promising angry
and tempestuous moods should storms hap
pen. Her lips, parted often as though she
were waiting. for some one with eager ex-
pectation, revealed row of pearly
teeth, and the pink flush of health and
beauty was in her cheeks. She was tall; !
with her hair done up, would have passed
for a woman already, Desmond thought; !
with 1t down, and her frock to her boot
tops she was still girl, beautiful girl a
very pleasant picture to contemplate.
Being man is not always such grand
thing as you suppose Ellerey said after a
pause.
He has freedom which a woman never
has the girl answered quickly. "Oh, yes
women try, especially in this country, I
know, but 1t is never the same. She cannot
be q statesman, she cannot be a soldier.
She cannot take her life by the throat, as it
were, and win place and power by the
sheer force of good right arm as man
can
But she often succeeds in ruling the man
after he has won place and power" Ellerey
answered.
That sort of conquest does not appeal to
me-"
"Ah but it will some day." he returned
quickly, and then he half regretted his
words, remembering she but a girl.
She looked at him curiously for moment,
smile upon her lips, yet a little anger
lurking in her eyes.
You think am very young" she said.
Are you not?"
And very innocent, or ignorant, what
ever word you would use to explain me-
You can hardly have probed life very
deeply yet said Elerey.
Much deeper than you would imagine
she answered. You not very wise
and old yourself. your
Indeed, no; fancy / am more of a fool
than anything else" he laughed
You should rot let yourself think that"
she said gravely. ITO think highly of ones
powers Is halfway to success. That sounds
as II had stolen something from a copy
book, doesn't IL? But no. / am speaking
from experience. Why do you laugh? Some
of us have to touch life's hardships early"
You do not show the marks of such ex-
perience." said Ellerey, hardly knowing
whether to treat her seriously not.
No. but i might. were / conscious of
what is before me. am not as other girls.
There is a destiny i have to struggle to-
wards end l must win. 1t was born
into. handed down in my blood through