Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-25

the prayers or the righteous, you Know.
Harriet raised her head with a wan little
smile. That's just it, Larry, she said,
I'm afraid of counting myself so. of being
Snug and self-assured about heaven-no.
let me come in with the poor publican who
stood long way Off
There was a slight stir in the hall and
she rose anxiously. It's the other doctor,
she said. Il made them send for DR. Fisher
i must see him" and she left them
hastily. her white-robed figure looking I'M
| usually and pathetically girlish and fragile
as she moved away through the long
rooms
suppose he Is really better?" she whispered.
He shook his head. 1T may be a stupor;
they wouldn't tell her in her present condi-
ton
Her lips parted with a little inarticulate
sound and a tear shone on her eyeashes.
Ryand watched her attentively; the pa
thetic droop of her lips and the pallor of
her face were suggestive: there was a sor-
row here more personal than sympathy for
her friend In the soft light her beauty
| impressed him with Its sweet freshness
and purity. She looked young and sad and
wonderfully lovely. He mad tried to sup
press his feeling for her. to look steadily
away from temptation, to remember her
singular refusal of his affection. but in the
solemn atmosphere of that still hour. in
this house where the real woman showed
herself in her tenderness toward Harriet
and her sympathy, he found it no longer
possible to crush out his passion for her.
ne IONSu neT, deeply lFTeVOCdDly, with all
the strength of a reserved nature. He was
a man who had set himself task in life
and given all his powers to accomplish 1t,
he had spared nothing In idle dalliance with
pleasure. he had never had the love affairs
of other men their entangements. So
much the more was he moved now by the
unusualness of it. and this new force was
driving him on beyond prudence and In the
face of his own pride.
Neither of them spoke much as their vigil
continued: evening had long since passed
into night, and every little while the great
clock in the hall chimed sweety the hour.
the half. the quarter. on its different bells.
The Airdale terriers lay asleep together on
the rug. and the fOotman had twice re-
plenished the fire. besides bringing in some
sandwiches and wine, which remained un-
touched upon the table.
Ryland had taken the chair opposite hers
and the two sat looking into the live Goals.
1t was long past their dinner hour, and the
disorganized household seemed to have for
gotten it, except for the sandwiches. Up
stairs the battle between life and death was
going grimly on to its finish; all the skill
that wealth could summon was there, yet
the child had. afte. ALL the beggar's
chance.
IF he lives they'll have to take him
away Ryland said at last. breaking a long
silence; they usually go to Europe. but
fancy this will make changes"
Mary stirred a little in her chair, a
shadow falling on her face. Il shall go
away in April she said.
Ryland turned quickly and looked at her;
her lips were qulver!ng slightly and he saw
her trying to hide her hands You can
not go.' he exclaimed sharply; lit is i'm
possbIe-I can't believe you do not care
She looked up with luminous eyes and
held out her hand. Don't believe It," she
said softly.
His face was eager "You-ah, l can't
understand YOU" he cried bitterly. with a
sudden change of expression: you were
like this and then you broke away"
j1a6 o a.
piled. land 1 must break away still-or our
castle In Spain will surely crumble and
leave not even the shadow; the SUBJ
stance we have never had
And do you think you can satisfy a
mans love with a shadow" he asked
scornfully.
1T seems to me that "a mans love is not
to be compared to a woman's" said Mary
quietly; Il DO not hold Tennysons theories;
look at the remuneration. the beautiful for
bearance of Harriet. il You would see a
woman's love martyred. Did man ever
bear such things and lOye?
~ on answering me with theories,
with speculations, he declared passionate
ly, land I'm asking you to speak to me.
Mary. what Is there between your soul and
mine? You love mel feel it. l may be a
cad to say it-but l feel it-and yet you
deny me-
Because I must" she replied gently.
He leaned back in his chair with depre-
eating gesture. You mock me- he said;
Il begin to realize you as a finished CO.
quette"
She sat looking at his averted face a mo-
ment in silence. and her lip quivered pain
fully. She could not speak at first. and
then-''It is almost midnight-do you think
the child is better?" she asked abruptly.
He started and reused hims Elf. Il sup
pose l ought to go away. he said: Il m of
no use here now. and Cheever hasn't
swered my dispatch. 1t would be like him
to come without 1t, but he can't get here
until morning.
conditions of life and reapsed into his
usual manner. but his face was deeply
Swallowed. Mary dared not meet his eyes:
in her heart she longed to go to him, to
could she? she reflected: it would give him
no choice: in such a a gentleman
could not withdraw after what he had just
said. however he might wish to-no. he
"Shall you stay?' he asked mechanically.
Until daybreak - until the crisis Is
passed." she replied; can l reach you
over the telephone-if-if-anything hap
pens?"
AT any time" he replied; II shall send
up to know If Harriet needs anything
now"
He had risen, and the dogs, disturbed by
his movements. were fawning around him.
eager to go out. Something in the haggard
look of his strong face swept away Mary's
reserve; she had been clinging to it as the
drowning cling to a straw. She held out
her hand.
Don't" she murmured, don't think OF
me like that-it breaks my heart"
He had her hand in his in instant and
drew her gently toward him. looking into
her eyes You do love mel" he said. soft
ly. then. as he the half reluctance of
her look. the fear, the shrinking. you are
inexplicable." he added. but l shall be-
lieve in you-let me do that"
"Ah." she murmured. as she withdrew
her hands and seemed to shrink; eff you
will only believe in me-but-no more now
not here-not now.
Though moved beyond himself. Ryland
accepted the finalty of her tone and felt
conscience-strcken that he had. in his
selfishness. forgotten the anguish of the
huShed house.
Almost at the door he turned and looked
back at her. Nothing is so easy in the
world" he said gently, las to believe in
YOU"
XVI