Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-23
in Private.

ness Of the inferno-or, as some one has
aptly said, travelling through a flute and
seeing daylight through it's stops"-M. de
Mariol absorbed the chief part of Miss Car
stairs society, putting forth for her the
best of his rare powers of charm and COM
partnership. When Clandonald and herself
finally left the train at Cannes and Mariol
went on his way Parisward, Helen breathe d
genuine sigh of regret for void not to
be filled.
The welcome she received from the Win
stanleys went far toward reconcilng Miss
Carstairs to the necessity for a continu-
ance of interest in human existence. Those
warm and sismple-hearted people, refusing
to allow her to stop at hotel alone with
her maid opened their home to her with re-
joicing hospitality. Nothing that she had
ever seen of a kindred nature seemed to her
as broad and warm as their delight in Of
ferin9 her shelter. rosey's quick wit d.
vined that a terrible break had occurred
between Helen and her fathers party; her
delicacy withheld all questions as to its
cause. 1t was enough that Helen Carstairs
to whom she had looked up with the VEN
Grafton of a devotee on his knees before
his shrine. had come upon a time of sor-
row, OF disillusion, of deep and lasting de-
spondency, and that it was Posey's priv
lege to afford her protection and sympathy
until the dark hour was past. 1t never en-
tered into her generous nature to draw the
contrast between the days, not SO long
past, when Helen had kept her at arms
length, and she was the outsider. Nothing
that she could do was too much to cheer
Helen, to make her feel one of their inner
most circle of home, more than welcome
cherished guest.
In this atmosphere of tender prevenance
Helen's bruised spirit quickly recuperated
She did not relax in her intention to make
small independent home for herself some
where, condition of things her fathers
continued silence seemed to bring ominous-
ly near. She had no illusions as to the fact
l,o% No. at.
conduct to her father in the most unfavor-
able, objectionable light. A little while
she would remain the Winstanleys'
guest, then would tell Posey that she had
found 1t obligatory to shift for herself and
to live upon far less than she had ever
done before.
The means Of escape from her impasse
came to Miss Carstairs from an unexpected
quarter, Three days after her arrival at
Reine des Fees, while sitting with Posey
In the orange walk, letter was handed
her addressed in NJ. de Mariols handwrit-
ing.
Helen blushed violently then grew pale
as she laid 1t aside to read in private. She
felt that 1t must contain a renewal of his
former offer of marriage, and this time the
old feeling of unfitness was lacking. She
was conscious only of the great unselfish-
ness and generosity which this man of in
tellectual distinction and wide renown had
always shown to her. She could see now
that life is possible without either the
thrills of young passion or the costly ma
tertal pleasures that wealth provides. Her
future, as the wife of NJ. de Mariol, would
be ass'i-e1 of certain elements of happiness
quite apart from the demands of her past
but on the whole as satisfying to a reason
able being. He had told her that his means
enabled him to be Independent of the charge
of fortune-hunting. He knew that she was
now, by her own act, almost tmpoveris
and yet he still wanted her. He was well
born, admirably bred. in a social surround
ing that would continually interest her, and
was, as always, true and loyal gentle
man. Above all, her future home would be
far removed from the unspeakable black
cloud that must hang over it in America
And yet
Posey's happy voice sounded in her ear
you aren't going to read your letter
now? Then you'll let me talk? You
haven't forgotten that we're dining to-
night at Villa Julia? Do you think 1 had
better wear my rose chiffon. or the little
white crepe de chine with silver embroid-
cries that came from the bazaar in Cairo?
1t was SO strange Lord Clandonald should
have taken the hour to call yesterday,
when we were sure to be at the Golf Club
well, Helen? Bigger. browner. stronger?
have been thinking all yesterday and to-
day Of dear Lady Campstown's joy In his
return. When she heard he was coming
she quite forgot me. and my poor dimin-
ished shade crept into insignifcance.
With her own dear little thin hands she
smoothed his bed linen, and put flowers on
his dressing table. Ah,. how much love
means, Helen! It's been growing on me
every day, that all the rest is poor fifmsy
stun. think Lady Campstown
has made me over, and my breast swells
in gratitude to her. I even love daddy
better for loving her. . II can only
end by loving John as much as I love
tham!''
"Posey!' said her friend, shiver1ng
Don't say you feel the mistral, Helen.
1t simply can't get to US in this sheltered
For some Ic,.sen that I can't tell. I'm
simply bubbling over today. One OF my