Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-29


be that your father IS
"No-no-no; it isn't thatr' she replied. but
with look of such apprehension that he almost
doubted her for the first time all their friendship
Father is all right, only he has worked very hard,
and Oh please don't insist my telling you any
more! Believe me- should be frank with you of all
persons in the world, if | could; but | cant be
quite.
Impulsvely he stretched his hands across the
table and seized hers. The hum of conversation had
died out in the room back of them; most of the diners
having departed. 1t had grown so quiet that they
could hear the strains of band from one of the
parks, playing as gaily as if war was an unknown
Norm he said pleadingly, take me into your
full confidence! Tell me what is that troubles you!
Something does, I'm sure have read it in your let
tiers, and IN your eyes when you come to me. Let
share it with you! You know l love you, and
part of love is to share each others troubles
He tried to hold her hands but she withdrew
them tremblingy She turned her face away toward
the lights of the night, without looking at him. For
what seemed long time he waited. oh, | wish
you had not said that to me just yet she answered
at length :" You make it very hard for both Of
| want to be honest with you, want to give
you my confidence and my but | can't l cant
tell you anything. You must wait.
Listen" he commanded, again leaning toward
her. There is something which makes me think
you love me l shall ask nothing more of Your
father, of Your plans, because want to make You
the position" He frowned at the waiter who
toward them and then retreated. Norm" he
went on, there is to be war Your country is unpre
pared. 1t will be overrun by enemy that is ruth
less and that will come to conquer. The end may not
be defeat; but certain death this country will
writhe and suffer before it regain the ground it
will lose in the outset. Can't you that? Can't
you understand what it will be for you and Your
father here under such conditions? Don't you know
that for your very safety you must leaveH- As my
wife or even my betrothed, make the way so
much easier for you! Give me the right, dear, give
the right!'
1t is impossible she replied, turning toward him
again. and he looked hurt. {" 1t is the very danger
of war that makes it so. You don't know how much
l wish could say yes to you; but it's impossible |
must be with my father. l owe it to him. He cant
90 away, nor can | leave him. So until the way is
clear can be friends only, and no more
He sat stunned for a moment, vainly striving to
understand circumstance combination of con-
ditons which could have dictated such answer.
Then the thought came that perhaps the girl before
him making sacrifice to some awful menace, ard
it could be only thingthe threatened insanity
of her father. But what had the war to do with
that? Perhaps she would never be to him if
her father went insane, because then she would say
because Of her very love for him. and the fear for
posterity. Their happiness, then, was to depend
upon the condition of an old mans mind.
Norm" he asked softly, is it Insanity"
She turned toward him in amazement, not fat hon.
ing his line of reasoning. II can tell you nothing
more" She spoke under stress and sup
preston. You must ask nothing more. You must
take my love faith not at all until you know
it is time for you to tell me again that am necessary
to you"
He felt that it a crisis with them, and slowly
thought of what he might say to break away this
barrier induce her to remove the embargo. They
sat looking into the distance; but before he could
formulate argument the sound of horses hoofS
1nadly gathering over the pavements caught their
attention. 1t came and nearer, and then past
them on the street below a man in soldiers VI form
flashed by. They looked at each other wOnderiH gv,
half starting to their feet, and they looked sud
den pandemonum broke forth.
From alleyWay nearby burst army of news
boys the streets suddenly became alive with pedes
TRANS belched forth from cafes and hotels, and
above all other sounds came the cries of, ENtry!
he if in those