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

some money The first installment is to
be given him tomorrow; he is to call for
it in the afternoon. Will you give 1t to
him for me?'
Gladly. my dear sad the old lady,
much relieved. Stephen continued:
One other thing. anntie. I want YOU 10
do for me. not to think of the amount or
to say word to me about IT. 1t Is a
large sum and l dare say 1t will Brighten
you a little. But 1 have made up my
mind to it. I am learning a great deal
out of this. aunte. dear. and I am quite
willing TO pay for my knowledge. After
all money is the easiest and cheapest
way of paying for knowledge! Don't you
agree with me-"
Miss Rowly gulped down her disap-
pointment She felt that she ought not to
say too much. now that Stephen had set
aside her graver fears. She consoled her
self with the thought that even a large
amount of money would cause no incon-
venience to SO wealthy woman as Ste
phen. Beyond this. as she would have the
handing over of the money to Leonard.
she would know the amount. II advis-
able. she could demonstrate.
Stephen did not dare to breathe freely
till she was quite alone and as she lay
quiet in her bed In the dark she thought
before sleep came.
Her first feeling was one OF thankful
ness that immediate danger was swerving
from her. Things were SO shaping them
selves tnaI Sne neeO not nave any lear
concerning Leonard. For his own sake
he would have to keep silent. If he In
tended to blackmail her she would have
the protection of her aunt's knowledge
of the loan and of her participation in It..
The only weapon that remained TO him
was her own letter to him. and that she
would get from him before furnishing the
money for the payment of his other
debts.
These things cleared out of the way
- -
greater dread. that of which all along
she had feared to think for moment
Harold.
Harold, and her treatment of him!
The first reception of the idea was
positive anguish From the moment he
had left her till now there had been no
time when a considera. ion Of the matter
was possible. Time pressed. or circum-
stances had inter.ered. or her own per-
sonal condition had forbidden. Now,
when she was alone. the whole awful
truth burst on her Ike an avalanche.
1t was with a smothered groan that she.
in the darkness. held up her arms with
fingers linked in desperate concentration
of appeal.
Oh. II she could only take back one
hour of her life. well she knew what that
hour would be, Even that shameful time
with Leonard on the hilltop seemed In
nocuous beside the degrading remem-
brance of her conduct to the noble friend
OF her whole lie. In the nrSt the rault
had been entirely hcr own. and only her.
self need suffer But In the last. what
ever she might suffer would be nothing
to the pain she had inflicted on Harold.
/" -" That mute look OF sun ring in the
eyes which had never looked In hers
without love and strengthening kindl:-
ness, These pale cheeks and ashy lips.
That pleading break in the voic,.
which had always been sweet and tender
and strong to her and for her; the voice
which had only a moment before her
stormy outbreak quivered with difddent
, loving speech. What had he done to Of
fend which would justly her conduct
After all. nothing but what the other had
left undone,
Sadly she turned her over In her bed.
and with shut eyes put her burning face
on the pillow. to hide. as it were. from
herself her abjec, depth of shame.
OH for tears now. Oh. that she might
weep. If only once. to relieve the agony
of her bursting heart.
But tears would not come. She felt as
If in all her life she would never be able
to weep again.
Stephens seif-abasenent was the best
guard against the attacks Of passion