Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-26

fellow to be worthy Of Alicia, my little
Alicia, as had often called her when she
was twelve.
l had a great feeling of loneliness !
was aggrieved at the way in which
walked through the metropolis of my own
state. no one taking notice. All. but
had one friend, Alicia. l would go to
see her now. talk with her of the old
days and we would laugh over them
together. Here was the number And
the house. fine, large red brick build
ing, stood back little way on the lawn.
light shining from the front window
and casting long bands of yellow flame
across the green grass 1t was an at
tractive place, with an air of comfort
and wealth, and this man Grey was evil
IDENTITY able to put such jewel Alicia
in "A good setting.
| paused a moment with my hand on
the bronze gate and wondered how
Alicia would receive me. That she would
be glad l felt no doubt. and | was sure
also of her surprise 1t would perhaps
Startle her little to see her old comrade.
Harry Clarke, from whom she had not
heard in so long walking into her house.
but on that account the pleasure should
be all the greater
l stcadied myself. opened the bronze
gate. and passed upon the lawn. The
lights of the city still danced about in
their old. rakish fashion. but now | felt
exhilaration instead of annoyance. Let
them dance! l. too, could dance to the
same tune.
| walked to The door and pulled the
bell. \ distant echo from the interior
of the house came back to me. showing
that it had been silent within; it was
silent without too; l could not see liv-
ing being anywhere. and the sound of
the policeman's whistle no longer reached
me- Across the street all the lights that
had shone from the windows as l strolled
along were gone out now, and the town
was lighted only by the moon and the
electric lamps at the corners.
No answer came to the sound of the
bell, and growing impatient | pulled it
again, the faint echo of the ring return
ing before from within. and hard upon
it the sound of light Footsteps in the hall
as they approached the door My an
noyance quickly passed. l should now
see the little Alicia who was like dash
of rosy color in a memory that held too
many sorry things. and l smiled.
The door was opened and I pressed in
at once. saying to the maid who had
come:
Tell Mrs. Grey that an old friend one
whom she cannot have forgotten wishes
To see her Tell her it's Harry Clarke"
.Impulsively / shut the door behind me-
taking from the maid her task and
turned toward a parlor that ! saw OH
the right. intending to wait there until
Alicia should come.
This is the place, is ii not l said to
the girl but she did not reply. merely ut
tering a startled. choked little cry. and l
looked at her. made curious by such odd
behavior.
The only light in the hall came from a
lamp, turned very low. and she who adj
mitted me had stood in the shadow. Now
/ saw that she was no maid. She was
not dressed like servant. nor had she
the manner and bearing of one.
A pair of dark blue eyes. of the blue so
dark that it is almost black, gazed at me.
eyes misty little now with the dew of
reproach. Heavy dark brown hair, that
would he tinted here and there in the sun
light with CLEANS Of the most marvellous
red were coiled loosely over Il pure brow
and az the slender figure Mavered a little