Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-14

Sne saw ms eyes. ana there, Wnere ne
had asked her to be very careful. they
met for the third time. for he had wheel
ed about he had done before. and
MORA smiled and said, Il don't believe
l even thanked YOU
At her words the stern mouth re-
Taxed. and he answered: Then you VIII
now, wont you? for I've wanted TO
hear your voice again"
MORA was not offended at all. She
felt happier than she had for year.
and differently happy from any time
in her life. So she cantered along
beside him. and they talked about any
thing and nothing, and she forgot that
it was Thursday. till the two Talbots
Mora went quite white and the man
at her side remembered that she had
been with two nondescript girls on the
first day he had seen her, and felt what
had happened.
He blamed himself bitterly. He
leaned toward her.
Il remember Them he said in a low
tone. But you have done nothing you
shall ever be sorry for. Tomorrow i
shall look up some one who knows us
both There's got to be some one. and
will beg TO be properly presented.
Don't blame yourself. it was my fault"
Moira's head lifted.
There has been no fault" she said
quietly.
But there was a white line about her
mouth, though her eyes met his
bravely
The Talbot girls were saying: well.
Of all things. Never even told us she
knew him. Kitty Warning would be
pleased" and, HE looked terribly i'm
-
and Jack have made it all up"
The next day they rode together
quite without question. and the next,
and the next. And he knew that she
came from the glorious state of Cali
fornia. that she loved the length and
breadth of it; that her father was
dead: that her name was Moira-her
riding crop had told him that-and he
knew that her eyes We're softer and
grayer than any he had ever seen, with
a something behind their softness that
made him long to look deeper than he
dared And she knew that his voice.
when he spoke to her. was tenderness
and protection and sympathy. all that
fathers voice had been to her and more
something unknown, but more. About
this time the Talbot girls called and
Aunt Laura received them.
"MOira is out, she said "She will
be SO sorry to have missed you. l think
she has gone to order some materials
dear child is SO impulsive and gener
GUS"
The elder Miss Talbot smiled sweetly.
1--WE met MORA in the park as we were
driving down.
And the younger added: THAT black
horse is a beauty, but hardly a lady's
horse, is it?'
Aunt Laura slipped into her armor
with marvellous swiftness.
MORA can manage any horse.
think" she said, pleasantly. Il am
glad she got through in time to ride.
It's aout the only thing she cares for
just now, poor child"
What horse are they talking about?
she was asking herself.
The younger Miss Talbot smoothed
gloved finger. She is fortunate in hav-
ing SO fine horseman for an escort,
she said, and smiled inclusively at Aunt
Laura and her sister.
Aunt Laura's armor held good. She
smiled back and hoped her face didn't
look as stiff it felt.
She is fortunate" she agreed. and
then added, boldly: And SO is he
Then she changed the subject.
They bade her adieu a little later, and
she sat down to think. Her thoughts
were not pleasant ones.
She mad neglected MORA, ner OeaQ
brothers only child!
She went to window to watch for her
niece, and as she stood there she planned
many things for Mora. She would earn
the childs confidence. 1t should never
be on her conscience again that she had
left her to the mercy Of those spiteful
creatures, the Talbot girls.
And so Aunt Laura stood and waited
Out on country road MORA was rid
ing. Close beside Bold Billy was the
t,,.n Snrip furS1i O
was closing In.
1--WE must go back" said MORA.
1--WE must" said the man, reluctantly.
They turned their horses.
''Moira.''
Eyes"
He leaned over and took her hand.
1.-The day 1 saw you, little girl, that
first day
II remember
There was, had been. some one who
had made me reckless. 1 could not have
what L thought l wanted Then l saw
you and knew l had never wanted any
II believe you
There will never be any one but you.
Moira.''
She turned and looked at him.
i QOn WANT There W uc, SIG Soio Ia
a whisper.
He drew her glove from the hand near
est him; the soft little palm turned to
his. He took from his finger seal,
ring heavy and massive.
with this ring" he said-"till can
get another"
Il don't want another said Mora, and
she kissed the stone
IF only it might be now, Moira"'
She started.
Now
Have you any one for ME TO ask
NO one to ask, exactly. / am free.
He checked the horses.
Shall we turn? There is small to"ii
a few miles on. IT..
Her clear gray eyes looked into MS
.Wul you always love me?
ITO the end Of my life and yours
Il will 60" ,,r
later. ,, s he |
He nut her upon Bold Billy and ne
mounted the brown mare. He held nei
hand tight as they rode slowly throuSn
tra soft evening dark. and she asked ho
they turned at last through gateway;
big rambling house lay at the emo VI
a winding drive.
.sT-his is YOUR home." he said.
INV home" she echoed.
us everything prepared for my "iie'
o.,,.d az the old housekeeper gave |
him welcome
"Everything, sir
Tbroust, the wide hall and up the broad