Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-28

ewes on her lit was this way We had smash-up
on one of our branch roads, and dad was rather nice
to ugly little brown woman and her kld-funny
little monkey! got to liking him absurdly before We
through though the process of cutting teeth is
ordeal, by George!'
THE narrator paused to laugh. and Valda found
herself thinking that if this tale had been really
true she might have read between the lines and found
against her will appealed strongly to her own mater
nal Instincts yet, since he merely lying, 1t made
her despise him utterly.
And then, the handsome hypocrlte resumed,
the husband of the little brown woman came, had
been away somewhere for month,-and turned up
worried He seemed fearfully cut up, poor fellow!
and thanked us-I mean he thanked dad-till it
got to be embarrassing; then he and his wife and
little Abdul Ibn went away camel, but kept
looking back at dad as far as we could see them
The husband was ARABIA shelk or something
connected in way with somebody high up, and
about a week afterward he sent dad package all
done up in date leaves 1t was rather valuable. that
package; but of course couldn't send 1t back,
because, you know, down there when gentleman
makes you present and you refuse lt-well, the
gentleman makes you personal can ana runs .anre
fact. So we accepted the lnevltabe-and the WIND
fall"
The listener thought she knew something of the
contents of this windfal; but made no comment,
and tried also to accept the inevitable in the form
of swiftly moving but ridiculous story:
This unexpected present" explained the young
man, made it possible, said before, for dad and
to come back home; so we resigned from the
company and started. Dad was pretty well run
down by the hot climate. and took the fever; so
we had to stop in internal little mud village on
the river Of course l nursed him as best could;
but-but it was frightfully hot spell-horrible!-
and-well, he died"
The teller of the tale had paused Valda him
bite his lips and-yes, she was sure of t-tears had
into his eyes, though he turned his head away:
Oh he was doing WE'LL this splendid hu1nbug, and
she watched him with sort of gloatng Joy Now
was the time trip himself; for only he produced
his handkerchief, even touched his knuckles to
his eyes, it would add the one missing theatrical
effect but the did neither. He kept his head
slightly turned in delicate concealment OF his grief.
till the sea breeze dried the suspicious moisture.
Now, certainly. this man was most amazing liar
but artist
Il beg your pardon he said presently, Il didn't
mean to tell it just that way He paused again,
and then went on, We'll, there was mighty little
pleasure in coming home alone; but of course II
couldn't stay out there And why should l! That
package l was telling you about contained the
equivalent of good deal more than ever expected
to pile UP with railroad salary and was pretty
lonesome for home, anyway. But there was another
thing. The dear old dad had talked little about
his prospects, and promlscuous knowledge OF the
fact wasn't what you might consider healthy; so
tucked the stuff in my belt, slipped quietly OH IN
the late evening, with the wise intention Of"
HE had stopped abruptly and looking at her
IL with an odd expression his handsome face
"Well?" she said. I'm listening, Go on
I'm afraid it's hardly necessary, he objected, in
mild reproof for you don't believe one single thing
How do you know that" she asked.
He smiled little sadly, and leaned back with his
hands behind his head "Only people that play
poker and the big games of life learn to control their
features; and you am happy to see, are not gam
bier. Besides he added leaning forward for a bet
ter view those nnocently expressive eyes of yours
told me lots awhile ago when l asked about your
fathers friends.
Valda wondered just how much she had told on
account of her ignorance of poker and other vices
but fastened shift the conversation to less swampy
ground "At least she admitted referring to his