Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-26
into the stable and look at Helena's pony
After that he stroIled over to the carriags

| into the stable and look at Helena's pony.
After that he stroIled over to the carriage
| mouse, where were stored q number OF
| cases containing stuffed creatures-birds
and chipmunks and small furry things.
Some large animals were slung up under
the beams Of the loft to get them out of
the way; there was a bear in one corner.
and great crocodile and a shark; pos
sessions of the previous owner Of the
Stuffed Animal House, stored here by her
executor. pending the final settlement of
| the estate.
Lloyd Pryor stood at the doorway look
ing In. Through grimed and cobweboed
window at the farther end Of the room
the light filtered down among the still
figures; there was the smell of dead fur
and feathers, and Of some acrid preserva-
tive. One box had been broken in NOV
ing it from the house, and a beaver had
and lay on the dusty boards, burst Of
cotton pushing through the splitting
belly-seam. Lloyd Pryor thrust 1t into its
case with his stick. and started as he did
so. Something moved. back in the dusk.
You? My dear Nelly! Why are you
sitting in this gloomy placer
She smiled family. but her face was
weary with tears. "Oh. I just-came in
| here" she said, vaguely. ..s--,
She had said to herself when, angry
and wounded. she left him in the garden.
| that II she went back to the house he
| would find her. So she had come here to
the dust and silence Of the carriage
| cases had hidden her face in her hands.
Little by little anger ebbed. Just misery
| remained. But still she sat there, look
ing absently at these dead creatures about
her, or at thin line Of sunshine falling
through a heart-shaped opening in
shutter. and moving noiselessly across the
floor. A mote dipped into this stream of
light. zigzagged through 1t. then sank
into the darkness. She followed it with
dull eyes. thinking, If she thought at all.
opposite Lloyd at dinner. But. of course.
she would have to; the servants would
think 1t strange II she did not come to
table with him. Suddenly the finger of
gone. Raising her head with a long sigh
she saw him in the doorway, his tall
figure black against the smiling spring
landscape outside. Her heart came up
into her throat with rush of delight.
He was looking for her! All, this was
the way it had been in those first days,
when he could not bear to let her out Of
his sight
He put his arm around her with care
less friendliness and helped her to her
feet. What place this will be for your
boy to play. He can be cast away on a
desert island and surrounded by wild ami
mails every day in the week." His voice
was so kind that her anger of two hours
understanding! She tried in bewildered
way to get back to 1t in her own mind;
but he was so matter Of fact about the
stuffed animals and the little boy and ths
desert island, that she could only say
vaguely, Yes. it would be nice: but. Of
course. I'm not going to take him.
well. now that's just what I.want to
talk to you about" he said. watching her
through his long. curling eyelashes.
That's why 1 came down to Old Ches-
"Oh, is it," g..
He checked an impatient exclamation.
and then went on: when got your
letter about this boy. I was really de-
the smell Of this place is very disagree
able. think you would find the child
company; I really hope you will take
softened
No. It's kind, kind Of f. you. Lloyd, to urge it But
MY dear. of course It WILL do! You'll
give him good home, and"
mo. no. can't; You know I can't
MY. dear Nelly! What possible harm
She drew AWAY from him sharply. II
do him any harm! II! Oh-you wouldn't
have said such a thing once!' She pressed
the back Of her hand against her lips, and
Lloyd Pryor studiously looked in another
direction.
What have said? That you wouldn't
do him any harm! Is there anything un-
kind In that? Look here. Nell, you really
mustn't be SO unreasonable. There is
nothing man hates SO much as fool
1 am merely urging something for your
pleasure. He would be company for you:
1 thought him quite an attractive young
ster.'
And you wouldn't have me so much on
your mind? You wouldn't feel you had to
come and see me SO often!'
"Well, II you want to put 1t that way"
he said, coldly. I'm very busy man.
I can't get OF whenever feel like It,"
And you can't leave your beloved
Alice
He shot a blue CLEAN at her from under
his heavy eyelids mo. I can't"
She quiyered. But he went on quietly:
II know you're lonely. Helena, and as
can't come and see you quite so often as ]
low, simply to amuse you"
She walked beside him silently. When
they reached the bench under the poplar.
she sat looking into the April distance
herself, miserably. that she didn't want
the child; she didn't want to lessen any
sense of obligation that brought him to
her-and yet, she did not want him to
come from sense of obligation!
you would get great fun out Of him,
Nelly" he insisted.
And looking up, she saw the kindness
of his face and yielded. well. perhaps
I will; that Is, II DR.. Lavendar will let
me have him. I'm afraid Of DR.. Lavendar
somehow
"Good!" he said, heartily: that's a real
weight off my mind"
Her lip curled again. but she said Moth
ing. Lloyd Pryor yawned; then he asked
her whether she meant to buy the house.
II don't know; sometimes think there
Is less seclusion In the country than there
is in town." She drew down a twig. and
began to pull at the buds with aimless
fingers. 81 might like to- come to Phia-
delphia and live near you, you know"
she said. The sudden malice in her eyes
was answered by the shock in his; his
voice was disturbed when he spoke.
though his words were commonplace:
Its q pleasant enough house.
Then he looked at his watch. opening
the case under the shelter of his hand
but she saw the photograph in the lid.
"Is that a good picture Of Ahce?" she
said with. an effort.
YES" he answered. hastily swapping
the lid shut. Helena. what are we 60
ing to have for dinner?"
."Oh. nothing very much. I'm afraid
she told him. ruefully. Then rising. she
held out her hand. Come! We mustn't
quarrel again. don't know why we al
ways s4uabble!' fe..;
I'm sure I don't want to-" he said.
Nelly, you are prettier every time see
you." He put finger into one Of the
| loose curls In the nape Of her neck. and
she looked up at him, her lip trem-
bling.
And do you love me?