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

which had from time to time for now
some sixty hours so cruelty rent her. In
the shadow. rest of the house of humil-
ity the clash Of passions sounds as If
afar! In the midst of her dry sobbing
Stephens overweight feelings yelled her
memory She slept the dreamless sleep
which Plato gives the acme of happi-
ness
In her case 1t was so: for she forgot!
Leonard's attitude in his own home that
night was to his father most exasperat-
ing. Conscious of Immediate relief from
his troubling debts. and meanly anxious
rather to put his father in the wrong
than himself In the right, he kept studi-
ously away from the subjects which were
Of interest to them both
He lounged through the next morning
with what patience he could. At O'Clock
he was at the door of manstand in
his dogcart. This time he had a groom
with him and a suit case packed for a
nights use. az he was to go on to Lon
don after his interview with Stephen. He
had lost sight altogether of the matter
OF Stephens letter. or else he would have
been more nervous
He was taken into the blue drawing
room. where shortly Miss Rowly joined
him. He had not expected this and was
uneasy In his mind. His fidSeting was
not unobserved by the astute old lady.
He was disconcerted; overwhelmed
would better have described his feelings
when she said:
Miss Norman is sorry she cannot see
You today as she Is making a visit. but
she has given me message for you. or
rather commission to scharge. / am
not much in the habit of doing financial
business. SO you must excuse M If
had better sit down at the table: there
are writing materials there and l shall
want a receipt OF some sort.
In an impulsve way he blurted out:
Stephen did not say anything about a
receipt The other smiled sweetly as
But unfortunately Miss Norman Is not
here. and so have to do the best l can.
really mus: have some proof that l
have fulfilled my trust. You see. Mr..
Everard. though II Is what lawyers call
a friendly transaction. 1t Is more or less
q business act. and l must protect my
self
Protect yourself. what do you mean?"
asked Leonard. amazed.
"Certainly."-she still smiled. For in
stance. let US suppose. Mr. Everard-of
course an impossible thing. but let us
take 1t as an Observation-Disclosures that
you were afterward to repudiate the
transaction
How do you mean?' he interrupted.
She went on serenely:
That you should say, for instance. that
you never had had the money. what po-
sition should l be in? I would be put in
a position where even my own honor
might be held In question; of not having
fulfilled what I had promised 1t would
certainly not be likely that Miss Norman
should ever have such a suspicion. but
some one else might. I must. therefore.
have some sort OF acknowledgment from
you. and l certainly thought this was
said with considerable stiffness-'tha at
you would have made no hesitation in
writing for me what I should wish
When will Stephen b, back" asked
Leonard. with a directness which under
the circumstances seemed rude. The old
lady's eyes flashed: her precautions were
being justified.
II can hardly tell YOU" she said. My
niece. Miss Norman. regulates her own
movements. She will probably remain
he night. wherever she is at shutdown
this evening" Miss Rowly rather prided
herself on the verbal bubble in this an
swer Then with little extra stiffness
she said:
LOT course If you prefer. Mr.. Everard.
we can hold this over till Miss Norman
IL here herself. should never have
wished to take part in the transaction If
she had not asked me. I have not been
used 10 deal with large sums Of money.