Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-12
CHAPTER xXXV-Continued.

A FTER few days when Mr..
~ Stonehouse had arrived, Harold
"A went over to Varilands to stay
4 \ for while The elder never be-
trayed by word or sign that he
recognized the identity of the other per-
son of the drama of whom he had told
MIN and who had come so accidentally
into his life, and the younger was CRATE
full to him for IT, Harold went almost
every day to Lannoy, and sometimes the
Stonehouses went with him; at other
times Stephen paid flying visits to Vari-
lands She did not make any effort to
detain Harold: she would not for worlds
have made a sign which might influence
him. She was full now of that diffidence
which is to every woman who loves. She
felt that she must wait; must wait even
IL the waiting lasted to her grave. She
felt every woman does who really
loves. that she had found her master.
She acknowledged it to herself. as every
true brave woman does.
And Harold. to whom something OF the
same diffidence was an old story. got the
idea that her reticence was a part of the
same feelings, whose violent phase and
expression had sent him out hopeless into
the wilderness. And with the thought
came the idea of his duty. implied in her
fathers dying trust: Give her time!
seemed to have stopped for two whole
years. and he was back at the time when
the guardianship of his boy life was be-
ginning to yield to the larger and more
selfish guardianship of manhood
Stephen. noticing that he did not come
near her. as closely as she felt he might.
and not realizing his true reason-for
when did love ever realize the true reason
H. liz 49, .x,,2 Cole .t1fl
ness which. in turn, reacted on her own
manner.
And so these two ardent souls. who
yearned for each others love and the
full expression of II. seemed as II they
might end after all in drifting apart.
Each thought that their secret was con-
eealed. But both secrets --ere already
known to Mrs. Stonehouse. who knew
knew everything. Even Pearl had her
own ideas. as was once shown in conf
dence when they We're alone in Stephens
bedroom after helping her to finish her
dressing. After some coy leading up 70
the subject of pretty dresses. the child.
putting her little mouth to the others
ear. whispered:
May I be your bridesmaid. Stephen
Tie woman was taken aback: but she
had to speak at once. for the child's eyes
were on her:
''of course you will, darling. But II
may never be married"
You. You must l know some one
who Will make YOU Stephens heart
bea- hard and rapidly. The child's talk.
though sweet and dear, was more than
embarrassing. With. however the desire
TO play with fire. which is a part OF the
nature OF all women. she answered.:
You have some queer ideas. little one,
In that pretty knowledge box Of yours"
''Oh, he never told me. But knew 1t
all the same. And you know Il. too,
Stephen" This was getting too close to
lie withou: danger. so she tried to divert
the thought from herself:
My darling, you may guess about
ether people. though i don't say you
ought. but you must not guess about
me-
''All right" then she held up her arms
IT, me lifted on the others knee and said:
Il want to whisper to you." Her voice