Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23

all who suffered Her visitor was OBJ
servant, and noted that Irene was still
attired in muslin dinner dress.
My dear Irene, she said, u hope YOU
will not allow that stupid dispute of yes
terday to worry you into sleepless nights.
- But l have slept quite long time,
was the girls smiling disclaimer.
We'll, now, let us consider. Mr.. Roy
son left the camp about ten o'clock. A
young lady who shall be nameless said
good by to him half. an hour later
You saw me- Irene flushed scarlet
No, indeed. l was too busy with my
own sad affairs to act the part of a female
Paul Pry, even involuntarilv. But | did
see you go to your tent, and l caught a
glimpse of you at midnight when YOU
were lighting your lamp. 1t is not vet
SIX; so | am guessing things"
Ii l were to return the compliment
You would say that l too was not a
heavy sleeper Well, | make no secret OF
perturbed night. That is why | am
Strange as it may seem, appeal to you
because 1 know you have always been
opposed to my aims. Perhaps | am to
blame for that Had forced Baron Won
kerber to take you and Mr.. Fenshawe
fully into his confidence. events might
have shaped themselves quite differently
But it is too late to talk of what might
have been. You are more concerned
with the future than with the past. Last
night, while you were looking into the
wonderland of the years to come, was
reviewing lost opportunities Therefore
l come to you this morning somewhat
chastened in spirit May / talk without
reserve?"
DLEASE dol' cried Irene, drawing her
chair closer. In the sharp clarity OF
sunrise she saw that Mrs Haxtons beau
tiful face was drawn and haggard. She
was beginning to probe unsupported
depths in this woman's temperament.
She understood something of the intense
disappointment which the failure of the
expedition must evoke in one to whom
wealth and all that it yields constituted
the breath of life And then she was in
love, which predisposes its votaries
toward charity.
Mrs. Haxton sighed. A consummate
actress, for once her art was supplemented
by real feeling. "Ah,' she murmured
her eyes filling with tears, % know your
secret, dear girl, and l wish you every
happiness, though the phrase carries with
it the bitter self communion that fol-
LII O"A pc1C ie1 VIC AOl 1SiCSo liiooC tAAAA
that make life happy! Well, that is not
what l wish to say. The storm has
passed. May l begin by assuming that
you intend to marry Mr.. Royson?" she
asked
Irene laughed softly and her glance
wandered beyond the busy camp to the
distant hills Il have known more un-
likely events to happen" she said.
4" l thought SO. Well, l desire to make
a sort of bargain with you. If you help
me, l can help you, and, to show that
can give effect to my words, l shall tel
you exactly what form my help will take
before state the nature of the assistance
l ask from you, so that you may be at
perfect liberty to give or withhold it as
you choose To come to the point, while
you may experience grave difficulty il
obtaining your grandfather's consent to
your marriage with a penniless young
gentleman of striking physique but nc
profession, Royson being even sec
ond mate on suffrance, SO to speak, the
aspect of your affairs changes materially
when your sutton becomes Sir Richard
Royson, Baronet, with fine estate and
a rentroll of five thousand pounds year. .
How can you possibly know that!
gasped Irene.
1T is more than possible; it is true.
happen to be aware of the facts. That