Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-12


they were not all precisely cheer
full in character She had known that
Mallory's ill luck with the horses and
the burning of the stables had been a
serious setback. but just how serious it
was she had never realized. her anxiety
having been dispelled by the CHEEKY. opti-
miStic letters she had received from Dan
and her parents Dan had decided that
IL was better that she should be kept in
ignorance of the real state OF affairs as
long possible. 1t was not necessary.
he had said. that she should worry with
them and he hoped for q change of for
time that would enable him to recoup
some of his losses Patsy had understood
at once the delicacy of the sentiment that
had actuated him in Withholding the truth
from her. and during their tete-a-tete she
had refrained. with an equal generosity,
from utterng one word of reproach al
though she felt that she ought to have
been taken into his confidence. As the
situation stood. after all these years of ef-
far as ever from the realization of their
hopes. which. up to her visit home, she
had believed to be near.
Moreover the stock farm project filled
her with doubt and misgiving. She was
unable TO see how. if he could not make
a success of a racing stable, which it
had been his great ambition to own. Dan
would be able to attain his goal through
the medium of the stock farm. and the
change in the roseate plans for their fu-
ture. as they had so often discussed them.
did not commend itself to her. Indeed. II
had filled her with deep disappointment.
She had seen herself as a successful
trainers wife. attending the race meets all
over the country and basking in her hus-
bands glory when the horses he had
trained should carry his colors or the col
orS Of their owners to victory In the great
events. And she had had day dreams in
xx,hf nt, cha 1,o6 oho1d vfofv ~ he hi0h-
flying associates of the boards dying OF
envy as they paid court to Mrs. Daniel
Mallory at the track.
And to cap her worries and perpleXities.
here was the little sister she idolized. and
for whom she had dreamed of assuming
the role of fairy godmother. stagestruck
and bent on going TO New York. This
was the very last thing she would have
desired for her. AS Patsy had mapped 1t
out. Nora was to have remained at home.
the spoiled child of the family until some
virtuous and well-tO-do young man should
lead her thence to the altar Instead the
girl had Savagely resented the tracing for
her of any course she herself did not want
to follow. This was a Nora she did not
know and never had imagined. a Nora to
be reckoned with The outburst of an
hour before still wounded and panied.
The very day for which she had waited
so impatiently that for two nights she
had scarcely slept. had begun wrong with
her humiliating arrival at the railroad
station.
Isn't it the plunkety-punkest? she
soliloouized Looks like luck's givin' me
the double cross, and I'm gettin the
lemon all around. Talk about patience!
It's enough to give even Jobs think tank
a JOLT
mother when Nora came into the room.
The girl was shamefaced and embar-
raised.
lin awfully sorry. Patsy" she stam-
mered. II oughtn't to- didn't mean
Her contrition sufficed in an instant to
dispel any resentment at her treatment
that may have ranked in Patsy's mind.
burst Of tenderness that exonerated her
sister and made her feel that somehow
she herself had been TO blame.
Me. too she said. Il didn't mean to
sit all over you. little one. Forgive me.
won't your
And you'll take me with you tomor-
row." questioned Nora. Frightening up.
We'll see,'' answered Patsy. gravely.
We'll have to talk about it all. an may
be then YOU won't want to go. Where's
mom?''
Nora told her that her mother was in
the spare room. and when her sister had
gone out she set about putting the kitchen
in order
Maybe / will want to CO. she NUT
tered. land am going if not tomorrow.
then some other time. I'm going to earn
money like you. and I'm going to wear
dresses like you
There was a kuock at the door and she
went to open it. Crawford. smiling. en-
tered
"Oh. Mr. Crawford said the girl con-
fused. you've come to meet Patsy. I'll
call her"
Hold on don't be in a hurry about it,"
he said. genially. Il want to give you
that money first
He drew the roll of bills from his
mo. thank you. Mr.. Crawford" she
said, drawing back. You are very kind.
but I've been thinking over it. and ii
doesn't seem right.
NO? Why, that's nonsense, he in
sisted. You had better take it before
anybody else comes In and interrupts us
again.
"oh. 1 couldn't. really" she protested.
less firmly
HAS your sister helped you?" he in
quired.
"No. 4 didn't ask her-I didn't dare"
she replied.
WELL then, you still owe the money to
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.?
She nodded affirmatively.
Let me think he said. He pursed
his lips and frowned. as though concen-
trating his thoughts upon matter of
All he calculated, suddenly. his brow
unwrinkling and his face lighting up with
his CHEEKY smile. How about winning it
back"
swimming it?' she exclaimed. wonder
inely.
Eyes Suppose you lay another wager
or. rather suppose you let me lay another
| wager for your
But l mightn't win. and I'd be worse
Off than ever.
Impossible. You couldn't lose I'll
give you a sure thing. I'll put up S.. and
/ think ] can get four to one-yes. I'm
sure / can
"Why, I'd have 500 cried the girl. de-
lightedly. Are you sure I couldn't
Iose?'
"Of course--pOSitive.
He moved close to her. intending TO
press the money on her then on the pre-
text that as she couldn't lose she might
as we'll take 1t without waiting for the
supposed race. but it occurred to him that
to renew confidential relations when he
came again. SO he said:
Its understood-it's d go. / will run
down here again at the end of the week.
and I'll bring a new, crisp twenty dollar
bill with me-"
"Oh. no: I never could change it, she
objected Nobody must know I've got
| SO much money. Couldn't you give 1t to
me in smaller bills?"
Certainly. You shall have it any way
you like" he promised.
Nora, her head turned at the prospect
of possessing so much wealth. had forgot
| ten her determination to go to New York
STEAMSHIPS.