Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16

easily habituated, she felt that he had, by
now, probably ceased to wonder at his good
luck. II he thought at all of Helen. 1t
would be with gratitude for having set
him free for this.
She was not so certain that Posey had
reached the same stage OF satisfaction
with existing bonds. Helen was too clever
, at reading character not to have seen more
than Posey meant to admit about her feel
ing for Clandonald. she saw also that
Ciandonald was immensely taken by the
girl. and believed that II Glynn were not
in existence the iglishman would some
day return to the charge. But she knew
nothing of the anonymous letters and their
vile attacks upon Posey. which. long after
enemy. continued to burn and sting in their
objects clean, sensitive soul. Since she
had told Clandonald Posey had spoken of
this insult to no one. 1t made her feel,
same again.
Helen had exchanged letter or two
with her. but the acquaintance had seemed
to drift. 1t was Miss Carstairs' feeling
that, until Posey and Mr.. Glynn were safe.
~ married, it would be more honorable of
her to keep out of sight altogether; which
goes to show that deep down in the bottom
OF her heart Miss Carstairs was not alto
gether certain she had lost all hold upon
her former lovers sensibilities.
One OF the strangest experiences ever
coming to Helen befell her at this time. 1t
was nothing less than declaration Of his
love in letter, en- route, from NJ. de Mar
iol. He had written to her intermittently
since their parting in London charming.
airy missives In his best vein, his critics
would have said; letters of rambling travel,
of European politics. of observation; grace
full incisive, glowing with color sparkling
with happy phrases; the letters of a poet, a
cultured eclectic of the twentieth century
to his inspiration. But she had not i'm
agined until she finished reading the last of
the series it could come to his doing her the
honor Of asking her to be his wife. She was
profoundly moved, more even than fiattered.
She had loved Glynn because he was young.
handsome, unjaded, therefore broader
than most OF the men surrounded by whom
she had grown up; because it had made her
smile to be near him, and the touch of his
stalwart hand had thrilled her with thrill
that sometimes came back now Mario
appealing to her intellectual side, to her
sense of high companionship, repealed her
as lover, and what he asked her to do
seemed, on the face of it, grotesque. His
suggestion that if she could be brought to
look upon him favoraby he would return
immediat ely to Paris filled her with panic
Her letter sent in return was purposely
gentle and simple and appe emily unstud-
led, although nothing had ever cost her
such epistolary birth-pangs.
M de Mariol did not return to Paris, and
IN the course OF some days Miss Blocker
also received an important letter, although
not of a, matrimonial cast. 1t was from
Mrs. Carstairs, in New York. proposing
interposition of diplomacy between her step
daughter and herself. Mrs. Carstairs, self
CoHlSSSeu d suffering anger WHO Hdu DOTUe
in silence Helens malignant opposition to
her, was about to come abroad to spend the
spring in yachting with her husband in the
Mediterranean and would be glad to have
Miss Blocker and Helen join them any,
where that was convenient. If Mr.. Car
stairs himself did not write to repeat this
invitation, Helen would know 1t was be-
cause the poor dear was overworked and
BRAIN weary. For that reason, If for none
other, Helen should put aside her unjust
and injurious, and missish fancies, and be-
come one of their family circle in the eyes
of all the world.
C'Naturally," said the astute chaperon to
herself. there is one OF two reasons for
this urgency to have Helen with them.
Either some man she is fiirti with is to
make one of the party. or somebody has re-
fused to receive Mrs. Carstairs until her
step-daughter has done SO first.'D
If Helen would prove herself the devoted
and subscribe to her fathers wishes Mrs
Carstairs was empowered b. him to say
that he would give her at once the fortune
independently of himself, that he had pre-
viously withheld. Incidentally she named
sum of which the magnitude made Miss
Bleecker's frog-like eyes distend and her
dun heart beat exctedlyJ Helen would be
free to come to go, to marry as she pleased.
c'And she'd be certain to do it. right
away" interpolated the reader, 80 don't
see where / come in at all.')
Helen would in fact be one Of the most
enviable young women in America In con-
clusion, while urging upon Miss Blocker
the necessity of prompt and vigorous action
In this delicate matter, Mrs. Carstairs made
an oner to her own ;ccount. To the chap
eron If successful in effecting the recon-
ciliation, she would give, Unknown to any
one, check for so many dollars, that,
again, the frog-eyes opened widely, and
Miss Blocker slapped the letter upon her
knee.
1.-The woman maynt be well born, and
she certainly deserves all Helen's done to
her; but she's got brains, and l think
she III get there said Miss R1oapkor in
conclusion.
CTo be Continued Tomorrow