Evening star., 1909-06-17
CHAPTER XIII.
Moonlirht and Mistakes.

The musical was over. the nrst moor
of the Standish house looked as though
a devastating army had camped there
Caine, who had fingered for good
night word with Lefty. glanced over
the empty music room.
Il wonder he said. IF there is any
thing else on earth quite SO vacant as
the place a crowd of guests has just
deserted. They always seem TO have
carried away with them whatever local
atmosphere there was. and to have left
behind a vacuum of desolation."
Lefty did not answer. She was tired.
nerye-worn relaxed. after the evenings
strain. Characteristically. she was
aware of a mild desire TO make some
one else uncomforta BILE. Some one who
cared for her enough to b. hurt. Game
suited her purpose to perfection. Hence
the sheath OF grieved silence that al
ways brought him Fastening to the anx-
icus seat. The ruse prevailed now. as
ever.
You aren't unhappy about anything,
are you. dear? he aueried solicitously.
''Oh. no. she replied. throaty auaver
in her voice.
came the second stereotyped question in
loves catechism.
"Oh. no. she returned. briefly, with
full feminine power of making the an
swer read, "Oh. yes.
But what?' he begged
''Oh. nothing with the rarfied lofti
ness that precedes plunge into the vale
of tears. Nothing, Nothing at all
Nor was IL until he had rung all the
traditional changes on the query and
had WORKED himself into a state of
pitiable humility that she would con-
sent to burst forth into the fcod tide
of her grievances.
You made me so unhappy, she wept
1T was ali your fault. Why did YOU do
it, How could YOU?
'Please-please tell me- he urged Il
don't understand. How
That disgusting man. That brute you
brought here,
"Conover7 l didn't bring him. Your
father
He is your friend though. she in
sisted And he frightened me and he
laughed when he went to sleep. | could
have died of modification.
But Why" he reasoned You weren't
responsible for him. II any one had
cause TO feel mort flied. it was Miss Shev-
lin. who sat beside him. Yet She"
Please don't talk about her. de-
manded Lefty with a fash of watery d'g-
nifty. II have enough to bear without
that II she chose TO sit up. looking un-
concerned. and talking TO him as If moth
ing had happened. and keeping the brute
wide awake and interested all the rest of
the evening-it was probably because she
knew no better / suppose her sort OF
people
And here the gods deprived AMI Nicho-
las Caine of wisdom
Shes a little thoroughbred" he inter-
better done in my life than her treatment
OF that poor. sheepish. suddenly awakened
chap. II made one ashamed Of having
wanted TO laugh ="
IF YOU are going to take other peoples
part against me-" shifted Lefty you
needn't trouble TO wait here any longer.
Good night. l am very tired and very
misera BILE
Caine forthwith performed prodiges OF
self abasement that little by little wooed
Lefty back from tears to temper.
Just the same" she sna apped lit was
your fault. II il hadn't been for you. I'm
quite sure father would never have In
vited him"
II never heard of your fathers sacri-
fcing his own wishes to that extent for
my sake. said Caine. unwarily. IF he
invited Crnover out of compliment to me.
he didn't think IL important enough to
tell me so. Shall thank him."
NO. no. cried Lefty In alarm. And"
with recovering self-ccntrol II never
want 10 see that man again as long as
live. | feel-strangled-when he is near
me. As II he We're trying 10 master me
as he does his railroads and legislature
He hypnotizes me. with his mud-colored
eyes and that great lower jaw. IL hate
him Tll-Tll never have to see him
again. will Il Promise me-
Punishment had gwen place to de-
n,and for coddling. caine rose ardentiy
to the occasion. Yet she was not content.
Promise me-" she reiterated Prom
ise me he'll never come here again..
He'll have to pay a dinner call" pro-
tested Caine. Even Conover knows
enough TO do that. I'm afraid If he
doesn't Miss Shevln will tell him..
II won't me at home' she declared.
tearfuily. "I-he can't make me see him.
never want to see either OF them again.
Either OF them Promise me I needn't.
Promise me youth thrash him II he an
news me"
sas Deered coyly up at him from be-