Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-08

Osilve had puzzled look on his face.
well, for instance, by taking another
name for the occasion. Perhaps Here
she caught sight Of the look of positive
horror on Joys face and stopped short
Joy had seen in what direction the con-
versation was drifting. but was afraid
to interfere, lest she should bring on the
very catastrophe she dreaded. She had
never forgotten her fathers expressions
regarding an alias. and she had reason to
fear that should his suspicious be in any
way directed toward the new friend
whose accidental acquaintanceship already
must ensue. But her hypothetical con-
Germ was lost in a real one. AS Judy
spoke the colonel started to his feet, his
manner full of suppressed fury. He was
bristling all over. preliminary of his most
dangerous mood.
JOY rose to the occasion 1t was now
or never. 1t was apparent that her father
had taken that form of offense which is
generally expressed in idiOm or slang
Cornishmen call it a "scunner." cockneys
1.-The hump" Irishmen "a hedge" Ameri-
cans "shirty'' 1t is a condition ante
cedent to active offense; a habitat of the
germ of MISUNDERSTANDING; a searchlight
for cause Of quarrel. Joy felt cold into
the very marrow of her bones. Well she
knew that her father would never forgive
any such offense to him was implied
in an assumed name. His remarks on the
subject famed before her like fiery hand
writing on the walls Of her memory.
Moreover, Judy's incautious remark had
but echoed her own thought. All day she
had been dreaming of this man who had
plunged so gallantly into her life. Nat
urally enough to young woman. she
had been weaving romances of various
forms round that very identity which.
even TO her. had been unexpressed If not
hidden. Naturally her dreams had in
them some element Of concealment: ro-
mances always have. She had in her Sc
cret heart taken 1t for granted that this
man must be Observation-Disclosures could he
be otherwise: and now her fathers sus-
picion might result in some breach which
might result in her never seeing him
again. 1t was a possible tragedy.
TO her grim and real from her knOwl-
edge of her own heart. and none the less
a real tragedy or less potent because its
bounds We're lost in the vagueness of
mist and fear. She was pale and
inwardly trembling. but. all the same,
her light laugh rang true. She was des-
perate and fighting for her man and so
was strung up to natures pitch
why, daddy. if you're going to kill
any one it will have to be dear Aunt
Judy. Shes the one who has made the
alias. The poor man himself-who, by
the way, is not here to answer for HIM
self and explain-hasn't done any con-
ceivable thing wrong that We know Of
even you. daddy, know that-except not
having a house and not Dragging of his
clubs,
This seemed to strike her father: it
touched him on the point Of Justice. The
lightness of his daughters laugh reas-
sured him.
"True!" he said. THAT Is quite right.
was too hasty. And he saved my little
girls life" He rose from the table and
putting, his arm round her shoulders
kissed her. Then they went into the draw
ing room.
JOY bore up bravely for the rest of
the evening but when she was in bed
and assured that she was alone the re-
action came. She was as cold as stone
and trembled all over. Putting her face
down into a pillow, she pulled the sheet
over her head and wept her very heart
out.
"Oh, what it might have been II all
went we'll? But what might 1t be If
daddy took some queer idea-and quar-
relied
lTa no cnnfinnad fonnnrrnu