Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-01

came back to her memory that the hot
blooded Harry had promised faithfully.
though fiercely. that ne would accomplish
that end for her in case she violated her
oath.
1t is sufficient to say that she was the
. most wretched young woman in New Or
leans by the time Harry Green landed in
New York. He telegraphed to her. an
nouncing his arrival and his hasty oepar-
ture for the southern metropolis. Some
how the slip of paper read like a death
warrant to her peace of mind
How annoying 1t is to have an old af-
fair revived like this" she walled to her
self. why couldn't he. too. have mar
ried some me, one IN else? How, In heavens
thousand subterfuges through which she
might avoid seeing him. but put them all
aside with the recollection of his indomi-
table will. He would see her sooner or
. later; the inevitable could not be avoided.
She finally took to her bed with daily
headaches. distractedly but stealthily
studying railroad timetable.
Hes leaving, New York by this time.
Good heaven, he'll be in Mobile by 1
o'clock tomorrow. Pass Christian few
minutes later-oh. DEAR l wonder if he
will be terribly violent! Jimmy is no.
ticing, too. He says I'm i'll. He wants to
take me to California, but 1 don't dare
l don't dare! Harry Green would be sure
to follow. l know him-oh, how well I
know him! He would
A servant came in to announce that
Miss Carrithers was down stairs
ASK her to come up" sighed Agatha.
9TH tell her myself that I don't want to
see her. but it won't mean anything to
Betty. She'll stay all morning"
Yes, ma am" agreed the maid as she
hurried away. A moment later Miss Car
rithers fairly bounded into the darkened
bed chamber her face full Of excitement.
Have you heard?" she gasped. drop
ping upon the side of the bed. Harry
o. in
now. Joe Pierce had telegram"
Yes, know" said Agatha drearily.
Have you heard from him-you?" de-
manded Miss Betty in amazement-and
some little concern.
"Of course Betty; why shouldn't II" ir-
ritably.
"Oil. suppose it's all right" said the
other obviously. Il was only thinking Of
the-of the old days.
Betty" said Mrs. Cannable. sitting up
suddenly and grasping her friends hand.
I'm the most wretched creature on
earth. 1 don't know what I'm to do.''
us it about-about Harry Green?"
Yes. You see dear. he-he doesn't
know I'm married"
Goodness. Agatha! You don't mean
he-he stih thinks you are engaged to
marry him."
That's just 1t. Betty. didn't tell him
in fact. l had forgotten all about him.
away down there in Patagonia, wherever
it Is. He
with you-and you with him. too!''
mo. no: don't say that. 1t was so fool
ish Besides, he's been gone nearly three
years. How could he expect me to wait
all that time? haven't had a letter from
him for more than year. l counted 1t
up today"
Does Jimmy Cannable know about
him?"
'"Harrys a frightfully determined per-
son." unused Betty Carrithers reflectively.
He swore 1 should be his wife II we
waited a thousand years"
That's the one thing in your favor.
When they swear such Things as that they
can't possibly mean all they say said
Miss Betty sagely. She was the prettiest
and most popular girl in town, but she
was a wise body for all that. Her trim
little figure was surcharged with a mag
netism that thrilled one TO the very core;
her brown eyes danced ruthlessly through
ones most stubborn defenses; her smile
which masculine emotions could be
gagged at glance. at will be rather
difficult to face him. won't it?'
Betty, it's simply impossible. Think
Of Harry Green waiting all these years,
believing in me. as constant as the sun
and then to find I've married some one
else. You know I love Jimmy Cannaole
with all my heart. / can't bear the
thought of what might happen IL he and
Harry quarreled about-about those old
days
Don't cry-don't be a goose! lis the
commonest thing in the world. Every Girl
has had dozens of affairs
II know, but not just like this one NV
husband wants to take me to California.
l wish-oh. how I wish l could go! But
Harry would follow know he'll be mer-
CHESS"
Miss Carrithers was thoughtful for sew
eral minutes. paying slight heed to the
doleful sobs from the bed.
"I'll tell you what, Agatha" she said at
last: II believe this affair can be man
town.
"Oh. Betty" sitting up and looking at
her friend hopefully.
"Of course l never had chance at
Harry Green. You monopolzed him. l
liked him immensely--from a distance
You go away and let me explain the sit
uation to him..
1t was the straw that the drowning per-
son grasps. and Mrs. Cannable clutched 1t
with a shrek of delight. She poured her
story into the ears of her too-loyal friend
who smiled confidently In response to her
apprehensions. Miss Carrithers did not
exchange condolences, however. she merely
gave promises to do her best. She was
shrewd enough to know that II she con-
fessed to Agatha that she had cared for
Harry Green-from a distance-that ca
PRECIOUS and perverse young person would
strife. After all. Betty admitted to her
SELF It was not wholly a service OF sacri-
0ce she was granting her friend. There
was something of selfish motive in her
loyalty.
''I'n love you forever if you will explain
everything and send him away" said
Agatha In the end.
lat least. shall explain everything"
agreed Betty. complacently Agatha
blushed consciously as she drew q small