Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02

perplexed look, and ROBERTA watching MIN
out of the corner of her eye, saw the stubborn
line of his jaw and chin tighten with a sudden
resolution, and then, though her heart ached
at what she read in the telltale depths of his
eyes when he looked at her again, she smiled
winningly up at him and nodded acquiescence,
he said gravely:
Since ambition seems to be your ruling
passion, guess all is said then"
Shall we 60 back to Aunt Ella"
He thought he detected a weary little note
in her voice: but when he gave her search
ing look she was the arch coquette again.
do you know. there has always been a
tradition among us Bellcroft people that the
wooings here at the dell are always lucky
ones?" she called back at him, looking over
her shoulder she went up the slope. 1T
The ightness of her manner hurt him. Its
day is over" he said brutally. 1T is nothing
now but an insignificant part of Yankee
millionaire's shooting preserve"
Thank you for reminding me so oppor-
tunely." she said haughtily land now good
evening" Her bow was politely formal and
then she Immediately turned her back on
him, refusing his assistance in gathering
up her traps, and did not look after him when
she heard him striding off among the bushes.
moment later, say good by to the dell for
ever. Tomorrow, if you still wish to, you
may carry me home to my doting father"
THE trunks were already strapped and down
stairs. Mrs. Layson, cool and impersonal
as ever, was taking leave of the casual &C
quaintances of her three weeks stay in the
great winter hotel with exactly the correct
shade of empressement, and Roberta, trifle
pale, but filled with her own dainty charm,
was the center of group of young men and
girls who, laden with fruits, flowers, sweets
a guard Of honor to escort her to the wharf
1.-The boat will leave two hours late" said
newcomer who came up and joined the party.
And that goes to prove further the power of
the almighty dollar. Ordinarily the Hyde
liners are sticklers for leaving exactly on the
minute but this morning the secretary of the
rich Van Buskirk fell down stairs and broke
his crown and as his employer had no opinion
of the medical profession here he has had the
boat held until DR.. Reedy of New York, who
is to sail for home to-day, can preside over the
mending of his man Jack
Il wonder if there is Jill?" rejoined an
other young voice fippantly
Roberta whipped round Indignantly. How
can you be so unfeelng?" The words were IN
voluntary but she recovered herself in an IN
slant eff the boat is to be so late as all that"
she said in her usual manner, "I can attend to
little matter that requires my attention"
Then with her pretty bow and smile, which had
the trick of making each one of the clustered
group feel personally included, she turned and
touched Mrs. Layson on the shoulder, That
of the corridors.
You heard that" cried Roberta.
Eyes, Bob, and I know what to expect
l tell YOU right now, l thoroughly disapprove
It will compromise you, and you know you
can do so much better than to marry that
young man. Of course, though, you are going
right straight to Belcroft, just like a crazy
thing"
You are exactly right for once" The girls
voice was vibrant with mute sobs and unshed
tears. Are you going with me?"
"Oh, of course" replied Mrs. Layson, with a
shrug.
A ND they slipped away through side en-
trance ard were soon driving swiftly through
the smooth streets of the Southern city, out to
Bellcroft standing white and stately far above
the town.
"You may stay in the carriage, Aunt Ella"
she said as it drew up beneath the portico, and
then she went with quick familiar steps over
the threshold of the house where her father
was born telling the butler imperiously that
she must see Van Buskirk at once, as she had
something to say concerning his secretary.
After all, the old millionaire has a kind
face, if he is fat she thought, with a little
catch in her breath, she sat twisting her cold
hands. He was young once, and he ought to
understand" She clenched her lips down
over her teeth: for she felt sob striving to
escape: There was step behind her on the
polished floor and the butler at the door said
NJ Vo,,