Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-17

accommodated with the odd seat of a
compartment reserved by French couple
of her acquaintance, who, feeling rather
bored by so much of each others society
made virtue of necessity in welcoming the
stranded American lady. Eulalie was tucked
somewhere happily out Of sight. For Heller
and Glynn there remained but two camp.
stools, produced by guard, and placed
in the corridor at the rear!
Il have heard Of blessings in disguise -
he said significantly, when they were speed
Ing forward again toward Marseille.
This is really better than that stuffy
place We had" she answered made happy
despite herself, by the meaning in his
tones.
IF any one had told me that should be
today sitting beside you, rushing through
the darkness headlong to the unknown,
would have counted 1t a fable
You are not rushing to the unknown. ]
cannot think of any one whose life and
work are more clearly cut out for him OF
more sure of happy ending"
II suppose So he said, with si,h.
you know it, Mr.. Glynn."
Has it come to Mr.. Glynn?'
Don't make things worse for me than
they are" she exclaimed confusedly. She
felt frightened that one moment of isola-
ton with him had brought back into his
voice the lovers cadence, after their months
of blank separation, and their day just
passed in remuneration and good behavior
The admission in her speech, the forlorn
droop Of her mouth, were too much for his
strained resolution.
Tell me one thing only, Helen-as If we
two were standing on the verge of ever
lasting parting-have you cared?'
When have I not cared?' she said inn
petuously.
Had 1t to be?"
II thought SO, then. I haven't always
thought SO since. Latterly-''
go on. Latterly-?'' he said, in a dreary
tone.
Il have made a compromise with my
father about something in dispute between
us. He has made me more than indepen-
dent of him. Isn't it always SO in life, that
relief comes too late?'
What did that ever matter anyway?
Wasn't 1 ready, willing. eager, mad, to
take you as you were? Would it have been
the first time an American man married
an American woman without a penny be-
tween them, except what he could earn?
The trouble was that you couldn't trust
me-"
That I couldn't trust myself" she said
bitterly. -! knew my world better than
But you say you haven't always thought
the same SINCE he exclaimed, searching
her eyes with desperately anxious gaze.
1T is not fair to wiring from me such ad-
missions. 1t isn't like you to persist in
talk like this. After all, you were the first
to console yourself
His face fell into gloom. He drew away
from her and. for a while. sat in silence.
Helen turned to look out of the window to
hide her gathering tears.
1t was miserable time for both, vet
neither would have yielded up an inch of
1t in exchange for any imaginable pleas
ure. Helen was thinking, ooh, that the
train would only go on forever, and let me
Sit by him on this horrid little stool with
out a back!'' and Glynn would have fought
any guard or conductor who came to Of
fer them the usual seats among other peo-
pie. They said very little, but felt the
more. At Marseille. where they were out
side for Whit of soft. delicious air. fancy
in
stars looking into the sea, and during the
rest of the zigzag run along the lovely coast
to Cannes. each knew that the other was
dreading the finale Of their strange expert
ence.
AS they ran into the Cannes station
toward II o'clock, and 1t became necessary
to rouse up nodding Miss Blocker, and
collect woful Eulalie, with her bags and
bundles. Helen and he rose simultaneously,
with shiver of apprehension.
This is the last time, John?'
1.-THE last time, Helen-darling.' he said,
in hoarse undertone of yearning tender
Their hands met and strained together.
Her eyes answered his, and he did not
again doubt
'It has been all one great terrible mis-
take" she went on more steadily. 1--WE
have got to meet, If you stay here and
after this there's to be no more weakness.
remember! Wen be pretty poor stuff IL
we can't conquer ourselves, don't you think
SOP
Hers was the last word. for Miss Blocker,
tottering like a somnambulist issued forth
to interrupt them. Helen and she were as
sisted out of the train by Glynn, and placed
in custody of their hotels station porter.
A moment more, the ladies were in the
bus alone. threading the back streets of
the sleepy little town. to ascend the hill
to a stately hosiery. where their arrival
was the signal for a theatrical effect Of
house porters in scarlet jackets issuing
from a brilliantly lighted entrance around
vxyht ph q nd hon frxyfI Loo tx.-ty,A
Really Helen, observed Miss Blocker
whose good humor returned as she looked
complacently around their pretty suite of
rooms. where lights and flowers and a
small fire OF olive wood combined to make
the travellers forget their woes. II must
say they have done very well for us. I be-
lieve we shall be comfortable here until
the yacht arrives. And how delightful it
is to think you sent that cable yesterday