Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-24

COuiuH she 90 IL IN the mouse, where.
at least, he could begin with a drink
That is just like girls! 1t was a ridicu-
lous thing letting girls go into college
and get such ideas. Home was the proper
place for girls, looking after things, and
playing croquet and tennis-wheii they
were wanted to play. And sitting out
dances. That was the worse of
women. They were always getting a fell
low into row of some kind They were
always wanting him to do something he
was that girl at Oxford. Women were
always wanting money. or worse. to be
married. Confound women: they all
seemed to want him to marry them.
There was the Oxford girl. and then the
spaniard and now stephen!" This put
wanted money himself Why. Stephen
had spoken of 1t herself: had offered to
pay his debts. Cad! 1t was a good idea
that every one round the countryside
fiat he had been not to accept her offer
then and there before matters had gone
any further. He could have had the debt
off his mind and yet be free to do as he
wished. Stephen had lots of money. more
than any girl could want. Girls shouldn't
be allowed to have SO much money: II
only spoiled them and made them think
that they were better than men. - But
she didn't give him time to get the thing
fixed. II he had only known before
come prepared that was the way
with women. Always thinking of them
selves. And now? OF course she wouldn't
stump up after his refusing her. What
would his father say If he came to hear
of It? And he must speak to him soon,
for these chaps were threatening to
county court him II he didn't pay up.
Those harpies in We're street were quite
nasty. :" He wondered II he could work
Stephen for loan. - -
~
ent. II he had been speaking 1t would
have meant silence; there is a silence of
the mind even In mean and selfish ma
ture. He walked on through the wood
land path. his pace slower than before.
How pretty she had looked!' Here he
touched his little mustache. Cad! Ste
phen was a fine GIRL anyhow! II 1t
wasn't for all that red hair : like
'em dark better! . Ind her being such
an Internal boss!" = Then he said un-
sciOuSly aloud:
IF I was her husband I'd keep her to
rights"'
Poor Stephen!
He went on. his thoughts running now
altogether in a selfish channel:
so that's what the governor meant by
telling me that fortune was to be had
and had easily, If man wasn't blind
fool. The governor is a starchy old
party. He wouldn't speak out straight
and say, Here's Stephen Norman, the
richest girl you are ever likely to meet;
why don't you make up to her and marry
herr But that would be encouraging his
son to be q fortune hunter! Rot! as II
every man wasn't fortune hunter in
some way or other. " And now be-
cause she didn't tell what she wanted to
speak about. or the governor didn't give
a hint so that I might be prepared. he
had gone and thrown away the chance.
After all it mightn't be so bad. Stephen
was a fine girl! But she mustn't
ever look at him as she did when he
spoke about her not obeying. I mean to
be master in my own house. anyhow :"
he said. aloud. AS this complete egoist
let his thoughts run they ran in channels
OF his own needs and wishes:
"A man mustn't be tied down too
tight. even II he Is married. And IL there's
plenty of loose cash about 1t isn't hard to
cover up your tracks I think I'd
better think this thing over calmly and
be ready when Stephen comes at me
again. That's the way with women
They don't take NO from a man. They
don't like to take It: 1t hurts their pride.
And. goodness knows. Stephen has plenty
OF it. She'll never let the matter rest
now. She'd be afraid that would
peach on her. and every time we should
meet she'd be half OF her head making
love to me with one side OF her. and pre-
tending all the time with the other that
she didn't care a d about me or any
man. No! this thing is only begun. When
woman like Stephen fixes her cold gray
on man she does not mean to go asleep
over it. I dare say my best plan will be
to sit tight and let her work herself up q
bit. There's nothing like a little whole
some neglect for bringing a girl to her
bearings!'
For a while he walked on in satisfied
self-complacency. His communing was
now rather vis.onal than thoughtful. and
all his visions were conferred round HIM
nj A HrQt
the pleasures were Of paramount impor-
lance. With the swift facilities OF MEM
DRY. scene after scene OF wild profligacy
rose before him. With plenty of money
in his pocket he felt that everything was
possible. Then doubts began to assail
him. Was the money all right? Was 1t
quite sure that Stephen Norman would
give him another chance? The measure
and method of its bitterness could be
guessed by his quick, impatient express
sion. spoken aloud
''Confound her. why couldn't she have
let me know that she was fond Of me in
some decent way. without all that formal
theatrical proposing? It's deuced an
noying thing in the long run the way
the women get fond of me. Though it's
nice enough In some ways while 1t lasts!'
he added. as IL in unwilling recognition
of fact. Again his complacency and van
ty soothed him. He walked on q little
longer unthinkingly, and then as the path
himself, half aloud:
We'll. she's mighty fine girl. any
how! And If she is red I've had about
enough of the black! : That Spanish
girl is beginning to kick. too! / wish I
had never come across ."
When he got home he found letter
from his father waiting him. He took 1t
to his room before breaking the seal. 1t
was at least concise and to the point:
THE inclosed has been sent to me. You
will have to deal with 1t yourself. You
know my opinion and also my intention.
The items which l have marked have
been incurred since l spoke to you last
about your debts. I shall not pay an
other farthing for you. So take your own
course, JASPER EVERARD."
The inclosed was a jewelers. BILL the
his face and drew from him low whistle.
He held it in his hand for a long time.
standing quite still and silent Then
drawing a deep breath he said. aloud:
THAT settles 1t. The halter is on me.
It's no use squealing. II It's to be red
head on my pillow. All right, l
must only make the best OF II. Anyhow
I'll have a good time today. even II It
must be the 1ast,''
That day Harold was in Worcester on
business. He had a few things OF his
own to attend to. a good many of the
estates and one of Stephens. The latter.
after his usual habit of doing anything
in which she was concerned. he did first.
His own came last. 1t was late when he
went to the club to dine. While waiting
for dinner he met Leonard Everard. flush
ed and somewhat uncertain In his speech.
II was something of shock TO Harold to
see him in such a state.
Leonard was. however. an old friend.
and man Is as a rule. faithful to friends