Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-09

him. His thoughts busted themselves
lightly with a number of important ques-
tons. to whose answers the man realized
that he was singuiarly Indifferent. Who
was he: What had happened to bring
him back TO life tfor he was sure that he
had died. a long time ago,r How had lie
come To that stateroom: What could the
name of the vessel be? Where
Deep thoughts We're these and long: the
man drowsed over them. but presently
was aroused by the sensation OF being no
longer alone. of being watched.
His eyeballs seemed to move reluctantly
in their sockets, and his head felt very
light and empty. although SO heavy that
he could not lift II from the pillow. But
ne managed to shift his gaze from the
window until it rested upon a mans face
IA gaunt. impressive brown face, illc-
minated by steady and thoughtful eyes.
filled with that mystic, unshakable spirit
Of fatalism that is the real genius of the
eastern peoples. The head itself stood
out with almost startling distinctness
against the background Of pure white. IL
was swathed with an immaculate white
turban. The thin. stringy brown neck ran
into a loose Surtout of snowy white.
The sick man felt that he recognized
this CONFERENCE.-THE known it, rather.
in some vague. half-remembered life be
fore his latest death. The name '.
He felt his lips move and that they were
thin and glazed. Moistenng them with
his tongue he made another attempt 10
articulate. \ thin whisper passed them
in two breaths: Ram . . Nath ."
Hearing this. the dark man started out
of his abstraction, cast a swift, pitiful
glance at the sick mans face. and came
to hold u tumhler to his lips. The liquid,
colorless, acrid and pungent, slipped into
his mouth, and he had to swallow
whether he would or no. When the final
drop disappeared, Ram Nath put down
the glass smiled. laid a finger on his lips
and went on tlptoe from the stateroom.
After awhile the man without an idcn-
foil tyrH1x frtf1 to- ,ISr
lutte peace. When again he awakened IL
was with the knowledge that he was
David Amber and that woman sat be-
side him.
brown eyes, clouded with dreams, We're
staring steadfastly out through the open
port; the flowing banners of sunshine now
and again touched her hair with quick
fre-her wonderfully spun hair, itself
scarcely less radiant than the light that
illumined it. Against the blue-white back
ground her gracious profile Showed wom-
anly and sweet There was rich color in
cheeks fresh from the caress of the sea.
wind. She smiled in her musing. scarlet
lips apart.
Sophia > -
His voice sounded in his own hearing
very thin and brittle The girl turned her
gaze upon him swiftly, the soft smile
deepening. the dream-ight in her eyes
burning brighter and more steady. She
bent forward, placing over his wasted
hand hand firm and warm. strong Yet
gentle. its whiteness enhanced by the
suggested tracery of blue veins beneath
the silken skin. and by the rosy tips OF
her slender. subtle fingers.
DAVID she said.
He sighed and remembered. His brous
knitted. then Smoothed themselves out
for with memory came the realization
that, since lie was there and she by his
side. God was surely in his heaven, ali
we'll with the world.
How long Sophiao''
Five days. David
Where -
AT sea. David. OH a Messageries boat
for Marseilles. Dear . -
He closed his eyes in beatific content:
David . = Dear . . 80
Yes - sweetheart"
Her voice faltered; she fiushed ador-
ably. You mustn't talk. But I'll tell
you. 80 They refused to let us go back
to kuttarpur: an escort took us across
the desert to Nok, you in litter. / on
horseback. There we took train to
came with us bearer. 1t being neces-
sary that he. too, should leave India Ny
father and your man. Doggott, Joined us
at karachi. where this steamer touched
the second day.
You understand. now"
EVERYTHING, dearest"
'Labertouche-?''
He told me nothing. 1 haven't seen
MN SINCE mat morning, Wnen, just after
you We're wounded We started for Nok
He posted off to kuttarpur to find my
father. No; it was you who told me
-everything-in your deirium.''
And you forgive
Forgiven
He smiled family. THAT Photograph"
II had II ready to return to you that
morning, David
Knowing what it meant to me-"
Knowing what il meant TO me-what
1t meant to both of us David
SO you weren't offended that night?'
II loved you even then, David. think
/! must have loved you from that first
day at Nokomis. Do YOU remember
49,
His eyes widened. perplexed, staring in
to her grave. dear eyes. Then why did
you pretend--?''
With the low, caressing laugh of Il
happy child, the girl knelt by the side OF
his berth. and laid her cheek against his
own. ''Oh. David, my David, When do
you expect to understand the heart of 4
woman, dear heart of mine:"
no