Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-14

CHAPTER XXII-Coutinued.

appealing glance from Septimus and res
cued him, q new Absalom.
You dear thing" she cried. why didn't
you do it yourself?'
II was afraid Of waking him. It's dam
gerous to wake babies suddenly. No. 1t
isn't babies: it's somnhmbulists. But he
may be one, you see, and as he can't
walk we can't tell. I wonder whether l
could invent an apparatus for preventing
somnambulists from doing themselves
damage"
Emmy laughed. you can invent moth
cried, gayly. "She is contemptuous OF the
dangers of English marketing. The peo-
pie understood me at once she said. She
evidently has q poor opinion Of them
Septimus stayed to lunch. a pleasant
meal, which made them bless Hegisippe
Cruchot for introducing them to the aunt
who could cook. So far did their graft
tude go that Septimus remarked that it
would only be decent to add 'Hegisippe'
to the babys names. But Emmy OBJ
served that he should have thought OF
that before: the boy had already been
christened; it was too late. They drank
the zouaves health instead in some fear
full and wonderful red wine which Nine.
Bolivard had procured from heaven
knows what purveyor Of dangerous chemi-
Gals. They thought 1t excellent.
II wonder said Emmy, whether you
know what this means to me-
Its home" replied Septimus. with an
approving glance around the little dining
room. You must get ME a fiat just like
this"
"CIose by?'
IF it's too close 1 might come here too
Often
do you think that possible?" she said,
with as much usefulness as she dare al
low herself. Besides, you have q right. y
Septimus explained that as master OF
arts Of the University Of Cambridge he
had right to play marbles on the senate
house steps, a privilege denied by statute
to persons In statu pupillari, but that he
would be locked up as lunatic IL he IN
sisted on exercising it.
After pause Emmy looked at him and
said with sudden tragicality:
I'm not horrible. hateful worry to
you, Septimus?'
Lord. no." said Septimus.
You don't wish you had never set eyes
on me?"
my dear girl.'' said Septimus
"And you wouldn't rather go on living
quietly at Nunsmere and not bother about
me any more? Do tell me the truth
septimus' hand went to his hair. He
was unversed in the ways Of women.
ago." he said. I'm such useless crea-
ture. You give me something to think
about, and the boy and his education and
his teeth. And he'll have whooping cough
and measles and breeches and things,
and 1t will be frightfully interesting.
Emmy. elbow on table and chin in hand.
smiled at him with touch of audacity
In her forget-me-not eyes.
Il believe you're more interested IN the
boy than you are in me-"
Septimus Redeemed and stammered. un-
able. as usual, to express his feelings.
He kept to the question of interest.
Its SO different said he. II look on
the boy as a kind Of invention"
She persisted. And what am ~
He had one of his luminous inspira-
tions.
You said he. are discovery"
me little bit, after ALL
You've got such beautiful finger nails. -
said he.
Mime. Bolivard brought in the coffee.
Septimus In the act Of lifting the cup
from tray to table let it fall through his
nervous fingers. and the coffee streamed
over the dainty tablecloth. Nine. Boil
ward appealed fervently to the Deity. but
Emmy smiled proudly, as if the splitting
of coffee was rare social accomplish
ment
Soon after this Septimus went to his
club with orders to return for tea. leav-
with Fora. He had offered to be present
at this first interview so as to give her
his support. and corrOborate whatever
statement as to his turpitudes she might
care to make in explanation of their deci-
sion to live apart. But Emmy preferred
to fight her battle single-handed. Alone
he had saved the situation by his very
vagueness. In conjunction with herself
there was no knowing what he might do,
for she had resolved to exonerate him
own infirmities of disposition this calam-
itouS result of their marriage.
Now that the hour Of meeting approach
ed she grew nervous. Unlike Fora. she
had not inherited her fathers fearless
ness and JOY of battle. The touch of adj
venturous spirit which she had received
from him had been her undoing. as it had
led her into temptation which the gentle.
weak character derived from her mother
had been powerless to resist. All her life
she had been afraid of Fora, subdued by
her splendid vitality, humbled before her
more generous accomplishment. And now
she was to fight for her honor and her
child's, and at the same time for the
tender chivalry of the odd, beloved crea-
ture that was her husband. She armed
herself with woman's weapons, and put
on brave face, though her heart
thumped like some devilish machine
racking her mercilessly.
The bell rang. She bent over the boy
asleep in the baSsnette and gave moth
er's touch or two to the tiny coverlet.
She heard the fiat door open and Fora s
rich voice inquire for Mrs. Dix. Then
Fora splendid, deep bosomed, glowing
with color. bringing with her perfume
of furs and violets. sailed into the room
and. took her into her arms. Emmy felt
fluffy and insignificant.
How we'll you're looking, dear. 1 de-
clare you are prettier than ever. You've
filled out. / didn't come the first thing
this morning as l wanted to. because l
knew you would find everything topsy-
turvy in the fat Septimus Is a dear, but
I haven't much faith in his domestic
capabilities
1.-THE fiat was in perfect ORDER" said
Emmy. Even that bunch Of roses in q
Jar
did he remember to put in the water"
Fora laughed. meaning to be kind and
generous, to make it evident to Emmy
that she had not come as violent parti-
san of Septimus, and to lay a pleasant
familiar foundation for the discussion in
prospect But Emmy resented the note
of DISBURSEMENT.
"Of course he did, she said shortly
Fora flew to the bassinette and gIowed
womanlike over the baby. A beautiful
child. one to be proud of indeed. Why
hadn't Emmy, dear. proclaimed his
uniqueness in the world Of infants? From
the references in her letters he might
cradle.
"Oh. you ought to be such a happy
woman she cried, taking off her furs
and throwing them over the back of
chair Such a happy woman!'
An involuntary sigh shook her. The
first words had been intended to convey
q gentle reproof; nature had compelled
the reiteration on her own account,
I'm happy enough" said Emmy.