Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-31

statel!ness which suggested power of
giving rest. there was something sooth-
ing. She came back to the sound of the
dressing gong with a better strength 10
resist the trial before her. Well she
knew her aunt would have something to
say on the subject of her interference In
Leonard Everard's affairs.
Her fears were justified. for when they
had come into the drawing room after
dinner Miss Rowly began:
Stephen. dear. is il not unwise of you
to interfere in Mr.. Everard's affairs?"
why unwise. auntie?
We'll. my dear. the world is censorious.
And when a Young lady of your position
and wealth takes part in a young man s
affairs tongues are apt To Wag And also
dear debts. young mems debts. are hard
ly the subjects for girls investigation.
There may be things which are hardly
decorous for us women to see. R.mem
Der that ladies live very different
lives from men: from some men, | should
say. for your dear father was the best of
men. and / should think that in all his
life there was nothing which he would
have wished concealed But my dear,
young men are less restrained in their
ways than we are. than we have TO be for
our own safety and protection. Their life
is SO very. very different. and some of
their comprehensive so Improbable that
really the exposal coming from an init
mate inquiry into the r accounts might
lead to the forming of ideas better left
alone The poor lady was greatly per-
turbed at having to speak in such a way
to the young girl whom she credited with
having the same ignorance of the facts
OF life as had been existent in her own
youth. and of beng ruled by the same
qualms and diffidences- which had been in
vogue at that time. Stephen saw her
distress; coming over TO her she sat
down by her and took her hand.
Il think you arr quite right, auntie.
dear. 1t would have been better If l had
asked you first. but I saw that Leonard
was in distress and wormed the cause OF
il from him. When ! heard that il was
only debt l offered TO help him. He is an
old friend. you know. auntie. We were
children together. and as l have much
more money than I can ever want or
spend. l thought might help him l am
afraid I have let myself in for bigger
thing than intended. but as l have
promised l must go on with it. l dare
say, auntie, that you are afraid that |
may end by getting in love with him and
marrying, him. Don't YOU. daar?" This
was said with a hug and a kiss. which
gave the old lady delight. Her instinct
told her what was coming She nodded
her head In acquiescence. Stephen went
on gravely:
Put any such fear out of your mind. l
shall never marry him. l can never love
him. She was going TO say could never
love him.. when she rem ambered. Verbal
accuracy is great help to ones amour
4
cealed
Are YOU sure. my dear? The heart is
not always under ones own control"
Quite sure, auntie. AS sure | am
of my own identity l know Leonard
Everard. and though l have always liked
him l do not respect him. Why. the very
fact of his coming to ma for money would
make me reconsider any view had
formed. had nothing else ever done so.
You may take II. auntie dear, that in the
way you mean Leonard is nothing to me:
can never be anything TO me-" Her.
sudden inspiration took her. In its light
a serious difficulty passed away from her
and the doing of a thing which had
fear of its own became easy. WITH
conviction in her tone. which IN Itself
aided her immedat purpcsa she said;
II shall prove il TO you. That is. II YOU
will not mind doing something which will
save me an embarrassment.
You know l will do anything. my dear
est. which an old woman can do for
young one" Stephen gave her a loving
glance and squeezed the mttenea hand
which she held as she went on:
las said. have promised to lend him