Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-21


since Mr.. Bishops advent; 1t surely isn't
worth while
She turned a startled glance on him.
blushng with surprise. Then you kne"
all the tme?' she exclaimed.
Gould forget the righteousness or your
admission over his picture OF your! asked
Ryland. studying her swiftly changing e1-
pressions with amused interest
"Ah, ! had forgotten" she saAd ana
added after a moment 1T was egotistical;
he was never really in love with me-
Don't spoil the little drama with de-
| NAL" leased Ryland: moreover, his eyes
made their own admissions, even when you
repudiated him tonight!
Mary turned quickly. Did you, do you
suppose that there is really any love az
fair behind that scene?" she exclaimed;
pray don't make that mistake, Mr.. Ry-
land: it different reason, reason
that IL do not feel at liberty to ex-
My dear Miss Hadding." interrupted Ry-
land Il wouldn't intrude on your conf
dence for the world; 1 was jesting."
Il know it she replied. moved out OF
| conventions:' II know what you meant. and
really you held up mirror for me to
It as others did. But that was not 1t. No
one but you knew that had ever seen
Leonard Bishop before. that was ALL I'm
afraid that l was playing part, but
doesn't that happen sometimes even in
politics? We can't always be quite our
selves. can we?''
"'All the worlds a stage" quoted Ry-
land.
And all the men and women merely
players"
His manner was admirable, but she felt
that she had slipped back in his estimation
that he saw her in the light of woman
who shaped her course by design and sac
rifced truth to expediency, fault so
common that he could scarcely condemn 1t
! except by loss of interest. Besides she
| could hardly put the scene IN tie ballroom
| in it's proper light without that full con-
| fession that his manner precuded
She stood looking up 4. him. ner graceful
| figure in the light and CLEANING folds Of
| her clinging gown revealed against dark
background of palms; the arch Of her brow
was pure and classic, and ne" hal: grew
about the temples in soft wa yes. He no.
| ticed, too, the thickness of her lashes, The
fine soft curve of her cheek and chin
You do not believe In me- she said
simply, 'and I have cared to have you be,
| lieve in me. Some men, like Leonard
| Bishop, have fancied themselves In icve
| with me; some have admired me and been
| afraid of my brains-a woman really
| shouldn't have brains-but You are quite
| different. That is why wanted you TO be-
| lieva in me- to- '."
| And what evidence have I given of dis
belef?' he asked smiling. aware that tEis
personal note was dangerous. and yet COLI
scious that her eyes We're AS clear as a
chds.
You do not; saw it as soon as turned
| from Leonard Bishop" she replied, yet
| you have no right to suppose that l am
| concealing an understanding with LeonaIc i;
| why should 1? He used to be trivial but
| quite docile If one cares for docility"
(which you do not" observed Ryland
NO" she admitted, Il do not. see. YOU
understand me in that. but you cease to
| believe in because 1 did not let ell
! those people know that LeoaIrd was an old
| admirer, and had painted my picture. 1t
| isn't just, and believed you were just IS q
| man ever quite so. though, % Il woman
| 1t depends little on his emotions re-
| torted Ryland; "a man can't always be
reasonable when he Is moved by stronger
feelings than mere criticism.
Mary turned from him with an impatient
gesture. You are merely talking plati-
tudes. she said. you are not moved by
! critical"
You make me out disagreeabe person
and something of a cad he said. moving
along at her side again. and really am
neither cynic nor sage.
She made no immediate reply; the idea
that Leonards recognition OF her made It
appear that some sentimental bond had ex-
listed between them was peculiarly distaste-
full to her, but she saw no WHY to combat
1t, and Horesaw LeOnard's constant iNLlt-
plication Of It, She felt like a gold fish
swimming around and around in a vely
small globe and everywhere deceived by
hopes of escape, because the glass which
Gagged it's misery was transparent. Il STALL
some time tell you the whole story she
said at last. land then'-she smiled sadly
perhaps you will believe in me still less"
They were almost at the door Of The coz
servatory; beyond was a whirlpool Of
gayety waiting to engulf them.
you are mistaken. he replied quietly,
wholly mistaken: 1 have reached point
when it is necessary for me to believe IN
you" He was conscious that this carried
him far into unknown regtol, but he
was suddenly moved by deeper impulses
than he had. dreamed OF when trey began
to talk together; her charm. 80 elusive and
SO hard to resist, ho1 cast It's spell upon
him.
oolx
her lashes. but his face was in Iepose and
l'quite inScrutable Sha met it with a uttlo
dersive laugh. That is your parting gift
to me. the one drop Of money IN the bitter
cup of truth" she said ligntly. "but-
ITO the noble mind
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind! v
AS she spoke Ma lane Syrene appeared
in another avenue Of the conservatory fol-
lowed by Fred Che evcr and Capt. Jerome.
The fascinating foreigner had been smok-
ing, and she flung her cigarette INTO the
greenery and held out enthusiasts hand
to Ryland
Il heard your speech yesterday" she
said. and l was cncnanteo; why aren't
the galleries C. DIVIDED &c hear you:'
Because genius is always unapprec.ated
except by the a.scarhir:; n nd he replied.
If you'd only let US Gnow," said
Cheever; Il say, Ityland. pu- posters on
the fences.
Instead I'll send you the Congressional.
Record"
Am 1 to read !. for my sins?' -etorted
Cheever.
For your education" said Madame Sy-
rene: II read 1t every day"
(which shows d great mind observed
Ryland: Il don't do that myself
Mary turned, rejonder on her lips. but
1t was stayed by tie appearance of Leon
ard Bishop. He emerged suddenly from the
throng and was 1T her elbow. Il think this
is our dance" he said pointedy.
She turned hot at the though hat Ry
land must hear, out size was inc slave of
expediency. She could no. afforl TO thrust
Leonard out Of her horizon. Happily she
saw Mrs. Whiting signaling TO ner in the
distance and knew her release was at
hand. VIII you take me IL Mrs. Whit
ing?" she asked easily: II must go home
now, therefore lint dance IS postponed"
and she moved ava at Bishops SIDE leav-
ing the others i'll the midst of their con-
verSation
They seemed scarcely out of carshot be-
fore Bishop turned upon ner: We'll, Mary
what Is all this?" he said: you take a
fellow clean OF his feet. / swear / came
within an ace of giving You away; moth
ing but my wit saved you
Thank you. she replied dryly; 81 think
you did give me away 10 i certain extent
but must ask you to be silent for awhile ::
Il must see you he insts.ed: I've got
to understand. I Thought at least Won
would give me a chance after I sayod -.