Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

as she turned at last; but she lowered her
lashes as she spoke.
mo, Brooke, II must be going. It's
getting late | shall be missed. l told them
nothing at the Schuylers'. They'll think it
very strange. You must Please take me
over at once. Will your"
He stood regarding her soberly. "Of
course, he said. We'll 60 over nov. Only
it seems as though l might do something to
make you happy. You've done so much for
me! A brotherhood of consolation isn't far
removed from love itself"
He had followed her to the table where
she was standing, her back to him, plucking
rose from the centerpiece. At the last
word she glanced at him quickly over her
shoulder. But she turned away again, and he
noticed that the fingers that fastened the
rose into her blouse were trembling.
She answered him slowly, choosing her
words with care. Don't try to deceive me,
or even yourself, Brooke. | know, I've al
ways known. you loved Natalie. Do you
think for a moment believe you felt what
you said that night at Gerrys. I've had
that sort of thing said to me before. 1t had a
false familiar ring and of course it was all
nonsense. Only the presence of others gave
it kind of half tragic dignity which made us
both think it meant more than 1t pretend
ed" She turned and faced him mockingly.
"Oh, what difference does it make? | don't
care what people think. So long as l know
it was only make believe, it can't hurt
either of US. I'd be sorry to think you
could make such fool of yourself. Love
isn't the only thing in the world. There are
other things more valuable. They were the
things liked in you. There didn't seem to
be any nonsense about you. Frivollty
doesn't become man of your mold. Don't
Lot no /
want consolation That's the danger of
friendship between a man and a woman.
There's no telling in what kind of mawkish-
ness it will finish Be my friend il you like;
but let's end it there Come, let's 60"
There was a hard little ring in her voice as
she finished, and a steel like glitter in her
eyes. She went past him through the door,
and he followed, wondering in what he had
failed. Down the lawn they went silently,
their thoughts jangling out of tune. This
seemed the inevitable end to their happiest
hours; nor did they speak after they en-
barkcd except in short sentences.
CHE got out on the Schuylers' float, and he
~ followed her up the incline to the boat
house; but she halted him there.
You'd better not come back with me
now. Motor over for tea, if you like"
He nodded abstractedly, his face still
sober. his brow matched with a frown. She
started away: then suddenly stopped.
IF you love woman, why on earth don't
YOU tell her SOP" she shot the question at
him like thunderbolt.
He raised his eyes, startled at her abrupt
ness, and a dull red stained his brow. Tell
her so! IL have told her so. She won't
she doesn't believe mel" he stopped angrily.
She was laughing again, this time with
frank delight which had no trace of innuendo.
But she held up her hand with gesture of
Cancellation. DON'T" she cried. "You
misunderstood me. don't mean the woman
you'd like to love; l mean the woman you
love whether you want to or not. mean
your wife! Has it never occurred to you
to tell her so?'
He would not reply; but leaned against
the railing and looked seward.
'Thank me for the suggestion, won't you!
Oh, very well. But think it over. All wo-
men aren't so clever as l am. She cant
know unless you tell her. I'm sure she's
insane about you. I've thought SO for
long time"
She began laughing again and walked
away up the path through the shrubbery;
but he would not turn his head in her direc-
ton, and the snarl at his brows grew deeper
He Strengthened at last, got into the boat,
IL