Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-11


did. We were alone in the house all day;
my aunt had gone on a visit. You gave
me the pellets and wanted me to try it.
I would have tried hemiock or strych-
nine or nitroglycerin If you'd asked me
to. believe. And
"WhatT'
"oh, can't tell you the rest. Not
yet" She got up. shaking her head en-
phatically.
At this moment there came a knock on
the door. The nurse entered and set a
plate upon the little table, Upon 1t was a
lump of sugar stained dark green with
some liquid.
"Dr. Macintosh says you're to take
this. please. He doesn't want you to get
too excited. This will quiet your nerves
a little.
What is it," he asked. carelessly.
"Cannabis Indica." said the nurse; and
she left the room silently. The two look
ed at each other with meaning.
What do you think Of that" he said
Leaning over he took the lump of sugar
into his hand. looked at 1t. then held 1t
to his nostrils. 1t gave forth a strange
oriental odor. aromatic. pungent as tar.
keen as salt, the indefinable aroma of
mystery.
AZ
his pupils dlated his nostrils quivered.
He rose to a sitting posture. supporting
himself on one arm, and stared at her
for moment, strangely. Then he spoke
almost in a whisper, vibrant with in
tensity, deliberately, slowly.
ut seems to me-a thousand years ago
/ knew some one like you. Her name
was-I forget He sank back on the
pillow.
Her arms were about him Immediately.
WI IL ~ 1T
remember" Her gaze was as intense as
If she were trying to hypnotize him
NO 1 can't" he said helplessly. But
that smell is Queer-it means something
or other And I can almost see win
dow with diamond panes. the light behind
Yes, yes!' she cried. That's the IL
brary, where we were that afternoon.
How that smell does bring 1t back!
His eyes were bright with wonder as
he exclaimed suddenly, 'Oh, L pelleVe II
coming back!'
"Oh. try! Tryv she pleaded. TRY for
my name. now! Who am II"
He looked at her, dumb for fully a
minute. conjuring his memory. Then he
brought out name boldly. Amy"
She broke down and cried. this time fol-
very joy. His hand was in her hair
comforting her, bpt his glance was fixed
on space as he struggled with intangible
flights tn,1 OF as areem
I'm getting it. bit by bit" he said
huskily. But it comes slowly. Hold
me close, dear; you're helping me. Amy
IT knew could do it!' Her voice
was broken. almost hystericaL you're
er will be so glad!'
my mother? He frowned. What
had my mother to do with it all? How
could she have come between me and a
wonderful creature like your
"Oh 1t was best-it was necessary. I'm
sure I never blamed you-really l didn' l.
1t was hard. Of course, not to have you
with me all the time. but / cared only
for your happiness We must wait: even
now, for few months, suppose"
wait? guess not! God. how loathe
that man you knew!"
"Don't say that. Harry; you are he
aren't you? Don't you know me yet
dear?'
garded her deliberately. 1T is only five
hundred years ago. now. think. You
seem like my sister"
Perhaps I am that too" she sait
sister. mother. daughter. sweetheart
She broke of suddenly.
He was still puzzling with his problem
and did not notice her. There was a
masquerade ball-Hariequin danced witt
Columbine, a perfect sprite of a Column
bine who pirouetted so gracefully-theJ
let before the unmasking-they went In
cab through a frightful snowstorm, anc
she was cold
Yes. yes," she answered happily. nc
one knew who we were; it was one OF
the few times we dared to show ourselves
together Oh, it was such fun!
His voice went on dreamily: She lost
her slipper. He warmed her foot in his
hands"
st lost it on purpose; l kicked it over
a snowdrift as l got into the cab You
dared me!'
There was something about cigar
ette-you burned yourself on your arm
1t hurts me when l think of 1t.
Rising, she removed her Jacket ano
rolled ND her short sleeve deliberately
Halfway between her elbow and Shout
der there was a small round white scar
He seized her hand drew her over and
kissed the place.
II know-almost. but not quite. 1t was
not an accident?"
She smiled and slowly drew down the
little lacy sleeve.
ut was bravado, I suppose. You told
mo how a Samoan chief once had brand
ed himself with red-hot stick so that
he should never forget the girl he loved
/ took your cigarette and burned myself
there. 1t hurt. but / loved it! You were
awfully frightened, but it excited me sc