Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22
BY
W. B. MAXWELL,
,Authof Of
1.-THE GUARDED FLAME"

erty could not take, and, in fact. had not
really taken. from him-but for the sor
who called him father
Lizzie, too, was grateful to Jack fol
sticking to the ship Although Jacks
presence or absence was now. Of course
as with f1rmness. even with defiance. she
had Observation-Disclosures to her person
grateful to Jack for his fidelity to her
father. 1t was a fine trait-something
calling for candid acknowledgment as
worthy and solid. Candidly acknowledg-
ing merit. wherever met with, she took
occasion to thank Mr.. Vincent-on her
fathers behalf. Without hurry. in due
season whan the opportunity came, she
shyly thanked him.
'"Oh. it's nothing. Miss Lizzie. Nothing
to thank me for. It's who ought to
thing for me. was dreamer. and am
awake - or course, I couldn't go
afteS what he had said.''
While he talked he was fumbling in a
| drawer of his table. and presently he
brought out a small parcel and began to
| unpack it.
"I never wanted to go. Only thought
I ought to go-but never wanted to. really.
80 Miss Lizzie. it's such a rotten little
| thing-that I hardly Nke-hardly dare.
don't you know-to ask you TO accept it,
and. tearing Off the last paper wrapper.
he disclosed and opened a cardboard box.
But I wish you would. Seems silly to
throw it away-and silly to ask you to
take such a rotten little thing"
| Then with considerable diffldence he
offered Lizzie the plain gold bangle out
Of the box.
IT bought it. you know. when I thought
was going away and perhaps might
never see you again. Just a souvenir
you know. When I say goodbye to peo-
pie Railways want to think they'll remem-
Der me-
'It is too kind of you. But really i
when I wasn't going. thought I'd
1 got Osborn to engrave it inside-youl ii
see, If you look. Hill Rise-and the two
dates-while was here. don't you know.
Rotten little thing"
| mo. 1 think it's very pretty"
ITS quite the worst bangle I ever
| bought-but it's paid for" and he smiled.
IT used to tick things. you know. I
don't now. Couldn't get tick II asked
for it, I suppose. In the old days l
bought quite different bangies-pretty' col
ored stones-and all that"
"Oh, this is nicer. as 1t is"
| us It? Don't chaff, Miss Lizzie. But
didn't want to get anything better, really
Just a souvenfr-no value-because you are
quite different to the other people, and
your father wouldn't have liked it-with
the stones. 1 knew you wouldn't take 1t.
| If 1t was worth anything. There 1t is
three-carat gold. I should think-no
| value. You Will take II, won
your
yes" said Lizzie. THANK you very
much, Mr.. Vincent"
THANK you, Miss Lizzie" said Jack.
beaming. 'I did want you to take it
just to show that you feel kindly dis
posed to me, now.
"Of course I do-very, very grateful to
you. as said. You must know that. Mr..
Vincent"
Jack laughed contentedly.
MOT the least need for gratitude-all
the other way round. Only, Miss Lizzie.
when you buy your next new dress. do buy
a blue one with white spots. Then, when
| I see you wearing it, shall know you
| mean to be kind-but. in spite Of my re-
peated prayers. you never will buy blue
/ one. You think my taste in dress is bad I"
YES" said Lizzie. laughing, I'll wear
blue dress. No, don't think your taste
Is bad"
Another season had passed without the
purchase of a new dress of blue or any
other color. But, that morning, upstairs
| In her room, she fetched out one of her
| old blue dresses and submitted 1t to care
full examination. 1t was all in order. The
blue showed sun-faGing here and there; in
the wash the blue had invaded the white
spots on some parts of 1t; and the muslin
collar and cuffs seemed to- ask for re-
| newai: but there had occurred no startling
| change Of fashion during the last three
years; the dress would do very we'll. And
she might wear It; as a signal of her very
sincere gratitude to Mr.. Jack for his
kindness-to her father.
Lizzie had been drawing her full dress
allowance from papa, but instead OF
spending it, had been boarding. Papa had
| insisted on paying her in prompt cash,
and would not hear Of any cutting down
of the domestic budget. Don't neglect
yourself Liz. Keep yourself up to the
mark. You can't be too fine for my mind. -
But Lizzie, buying only few pairs OF
boots, gloves, ETC., and perhaps hat pei
annum, had ,amassed hoard which In its
extent surprised papa when his daughter
brought 1t to him.
"Dad-please. TIL the lane turns. When
we're out Of the woods. you can give 1,
me all back-and then really will be sc
fine that you won't recognize me-"
Liz. my dear, you shouldn't have done
this. No, no."
But the pinch was so severe this win.
ter that Crunden gave in. He was proud
of Lizzie for her miser-tricks. and he
consented to be debtor to his child, as
well as to the bank. for temporary con:
venience. Thus the money which should
have been carried to Selkirk. the draper
found its way to the yard; and there
cleared the pay-sheet of the lessened stat
for a considerable number of weeks.
However, this cheating of Selkirk was
not a matter which Miss Crunden could
talk about with papa's clerk. She must
permit Mr.. Jack to suppose, II he pleased
that her old frockS were new frocks; anl
that she had been buying them in al
tints of the rainbow-except blue.
On Saturday afternoon she .ressed her
self in some stanch old brown and &en
for a long walk. The day was bright an6
windless-just cold enough to make al
healthy folk enjoy fast walking. Even II
the bright sunshine no one would have
noticed that her brown fur boa, hel
brown coat and skirt were three-year.
olders-they looked almost as good as new
No one would have noticed that the brown
toque and the brown gloves were so much
younger-quite as good as new The golt
bangle on her wrist was Of course brand
new.
I She went down as far as the bridge; saw
the sunshine flashing and shaking on the
muddy water, a wagon full Of beer from
the brewery, Miss Hope on horseback
with a flushed face and disarranged hair
squirming in the saddle to wiring ths
horses back, while she whispered laugh
ingly to Mr.. Banker the riding-master-
saw indeed all that there was to be seer
on the bridge; and then turned AND
walked briskly UP the hill.
She walked fast and stronghold she
could now run and leap up the gentle
slope instead of languidly crawling as ir
those old bad foolish days when DR.
Blake advised quick movement. AND
as with firm light tread. she passed by
the corner of River View, she looked
so pretty that all should have noticed
It, There was color in her cheeks, light
In her eyes-she looked slim. graceful ant
yet strong; noticeably the prettiest
Medford that afternoon. sSoon somebody