Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-21
vi.
When the Fates Were Crazy.

beheld Mrs. Randolph.
Her attire was brighter than it had been
before. 4 cannot name single detail OF
that change. but 1t was as II rather
sober. dark-hued bird had put gold and
silver and color Of flame and rainbow on
its wings. or as when a graceful, burgeon-
ing tree crowns itself with leaves and
flowers under the infuenc, of the warm
life of spring stirring in its heart. Her
beauty enthralled me- Yet in 1t there was
pathos. and the traces of grief and tears
mingled with JOY
May 1 come IMP she said, with at
tempted brightness
Yes, certainly" l answered: delighted
to see you. l have been thinking of you.
Jerome hasn't been to attend on you?'
She looked at me anxiousy as she came
in. and l thought she smiled little wear
lily. though she was trying to seem cheer
full. and even happy.
Il was anxious about >you through the
night. You fairly fed from me. you know.
I'm afraid you didn't sleep well, for we
heard you walking about. Jack went away
shortly after you started to your rooms,
and spent the night with Margaret You
won't mind If / confess that once tiptoed
to your door here?-I was so anxious
That charm indetinably feminine, which
makes strong men fall PROSTATE at the feet
of women. surrounded her like an atmos-
phere or the perfume Of flowers. Some
times women who are not beautiful have
it. She possessed it. and was beautiful.
The desire to take her in my arms l
pressed with difficulty; 1 felt that she
would not object, would even be glad, and
would have nestled her bright head against
my breast in happiness. She was longing
for the clasp of my arms tthe arms of the
she supposed to be her husband) even
1 was longing to draw her to me in a
close embrace and tell her how l loved her,
and knew it. Yet took that wild desire
hx,t ta fhron n,,1 ,f~n,, ted a
a wolf.
AS l sank into a chair. unnerved and I'M
manned. she drew up another. and sat
down by me. her hand on my arm.
"Julian'-her low voice trembied-"don't
think. dear. that l want to say anything to
trouble YOU
''Oh. know you do not" / answered
II must seem like dog to you-the verIest
She gasped as with pain. and the clutch
of her hand ughtened. 49,: ri
Not at all she insisted gently. II
know that-that you are not-nOt very we'll
1t was for that reason / sent for our old
physician. You recall when l became ac-
Quaintad with him in that charity work,
don't you? And you liked him.
A clammy sweat came out on my tore
HE was away yesterday. you remember
1 told you. You will receive him.
IF must. l said, desperately.
l glanced round like a hunted rat
searching for a hole. 900. s.yAd /,
Il have given orders that no oheNis to
disturb you" she went on. calmly. and
that no one is to be admitted You are
nervous-very nervous DR.. Thompson will
be able to give you something that will
help you. 4
l looked at her again. that food of pas
sionate longing surSing within me like a
rising tide Simple faith lighted her eyes;
and here was 1 again playing the hypocrite
in the most monumental, fashion,
We haven't talked over the matter
thoroughly, l said. s'a no.
l was mean enough to wish to know
more of Julian Randolph and his past that
1 might have better footing for my uncer-
tain steps.
Though I had not decided to continue my
deSpicable role. 1 stu unable to de-
eide not to continue it, and had a feeling
that l might be driven ON in my present
course: for l could not think of leaving
this woman. now that l knew her, even
though I might loathe myself for remain
ing. | felt that to leave her was 20 loss
her. In addition. if to meet this
doctor. it was desirable for me to learn all
l could. that I might do it successfully. l
should be a good actor. indeed and should
need all possible self-possession and
knowledge. if l was to deceive him.
Julian. dear, she was saying, even as
these thoughts went through my harasssd
mind, have you quite forgotten all the CIR
cumstances of your going away?"
l hesitated Should l lie to her?
IF the things you tell me are true. 1
have forgotten everything" l replied
brazenly.
Poor boy-' she said, and stroked my
arm.
Il had a talk with Jerome. and he told
was to justify my present attitude and
square myself eventually. This doctor
knows me WELL you say?'
Thoroughly"
ped. hestat:ng.
"Yes?"
Suppose he declares that there is no loss
of memory"
There is no danger of that. dear.
made another effort to be honest with
myself and her.
But 1 have told YOU. 1 urged. that 1
was astounded when you claimed mo aj
not the same as yours. l do not recall this
house. nor the places of which Jerome told
me. nor even Jerome himself. l must be
honest with you; l am not the man you
think ami am not your husband!
Her arms were round my neck instantly
and she was sobbing. tried to release
myself. but her arms chung tight as
tendris.
"No-no"' she cried. sobbing more vio-
lently. Now be a good boy. Julian! 1
know. of course, that you would not have
remained away from me If you had been
just yourself. So this does not disturb me-"
(My God-dd not disturb her; and she was
weeping like Niobe) DIR. Thompson will
be able to help you l have the utmost
latin In him.
l saw l could not leave .ler at once. And
how l dreaded that doctor. How weak l
was. too. to let her cling to in that
manner. l cursed my unmanliness.
Before she could say more. or l could
think Of anything other than my combined
happiness and misery. quick steps were
heard beyond the door, and then light
knock.
She rose hurriedly and opened the door.
A servant stood there.
DIR. Thompson has arrived the
announcement
Mrs. Randolph slipped from the room and
ran down the stairs. Then 1 heard her ,
talking with him in the hall below. She
conducted him to my rooms. but did not
enter. Yet felt that she was near.
l eyed him closely as he came in. He
was a gray-bearded, gray-eyed man. his
hair closely cropped his beard of the Van
dyke cut, his clothing gray and loose-fit |
ting. and he held in his left hand the gray
glove he had removed when he met her. |
He extended the ungloved hand to me as l
rose. and the keen eyes searched my face,
while flushed with embarrassment There |
was a piercing quality in those eyes which |
made me think of probes. l was sure he |
would penetrate my mask at once. Hence |
his greeting puzzled me; for l had ex-
pected him to retreat, or perhaps stand |
firm and denounce me. He did neither.
Glad to see you, Mr.. Randolph" he said |
in the friendlest manner. sinking into a |
chair near the one I had droDped ba cx |