Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11
Septinn1s
By WILLIAM J.LOCKE
Copyright, 1903. by the Phillip. Publish
ing Company
Copyright. 1909. by John Lane Company


way, to Emmy's coming. He would live.
perhaps, sometimes in Nunsmere and
sometimes in London. Quite lately. on
visiting his bankers, in order to make ar
-angements for the disposal of his in
come, he was surprised to find how rich
he was: and the manager. an astound-
ingly well informed person, explained
that commercial concern in which he
held many shares had reached such
pitch Of prosperity as to treble his divi-
dends. He went away with the vague
notion that commercial companies were
models Of altruistic generosity. The main
point, however, made clear by the eX-
ceptionally intelligent manager. being that
he was richer by several hundreds year,
ne began to dream of a more respondent
residence for Emmy and the boy than
the little fiat in Chelsea. He had OBJ
served that there We're very nice houses
in Berkeley Square. He wondered how
much a year they were. with rates and
taxes. For himself he could perch III
any attic close by. He resolved to dis
cuss Berkeley Square with Emmy as soon
as she arrived. William Octavius Old1ieve
Dix. member of parliament, ought to
start life in proper surroundings.
Glen Sypher, down for the week end a
Penton Court, burst in upon him during
the afternoon. He came with exciting
news. The high official in the ordnance
department Of the war Office had written
to him that morning to the effect that
he was so greatly impressed by the new
quick-tiring gun that he proposed to ex
pertinent forthwith, and desired to be put
into communication with the inventor.
That's very NICE said Septimus, "but
shall have to go and see him.
"Of course" cried Sypher. You'll have
to interview boards and gunners and en-
gineers. and superintend experiments.
You'll be person of tremendous impor-
tance."
ooh. dear said septimus Il couldn't.
couldn't, really
He was panicstricken at the notion.
you'll have to-" laughed Sypher.
Septimus clutched at straws. I'm
afraid 1 shall be too busy. Emmy's COM
ing to London-and there's the boys edu-
cation. You see. he has to go to Cam
bridge. Look here" he added. brilliant
idea occurring to him, I'm fearfully
rich; don't want any more money. I'll
sell YOU the thing outright for the two
hundred pounds you advanced me. and
then / shan't have anything more to do
with it,
Of the kind you ought to consult Mrs.
Dix" said Sypher with laugh.
"Or Fora
cor Fora said Sypher "She came
down by the same train as ! did. ! told
her the good news. She was delighted"
He did not inform Septimus that, for
all her delight, Fora had been somewhat
skeptical. She loved Septimus. she adj
mitted, but his effectuality in any sphere
Of human endeavor was unimaginable.
Could anything good come out of Naza
reth?
/ About half an hour later the goddess
herself arrived, shown in by Wiggles-
IKE who had been s the pipe sb
looked flushed. resolute. indignant, and,
on seeing Sypher. she paused for a sec
ond on the threshold. Then she entered.
Sypher took up his hat and stick:
mo. no. You had better stay. You may
help us / suppose you know all about
it,
Septimus' heart sank. He knew what
it meant.
Yes, Sypher knows. I told him.
But why didn't YOU tell me- dear Sep
timus, instead of letting me hear of il
from mother and Cousin Jane? / don't
think it was loyal to me-
II forgot, said Septimus, in despera-
ton. You see, I sometimes remember it
and sometimes forget it. I'm not used to
getting married. Wiggleswick has been
married several times. He was giving me
lot of advice this morning.
Anyhow. it's true?" asked Fora diSre-
garding Wiggleswick.
"Oh. yes. You see. my ungovernable
temper
"YOur what?'
1t was no use. On receiving the an
lIouIlttlIleHt size lOOkSU JuSl DIS lie lldu PH-
pectcd her to look. He tried to stammer
out his catalogue of infamies. but failed.
She burst out laughing. and Sypher. who
knew all and was anxiously wondering
how to save the situation, laughed too.
MY poor. dear Septimus. she said,
kindly, Il don't believe word Of 1t. The
woman who couldn't get with YOU
must be virago. I don't care whether
she's my own sister or not, she is treat
ing you abominably.
"Rut indeed she's mt - nleaded porr
Septimus. We're the best of friends. 1
really want to live like this. / do. ]
can't live without Wiggleswick. See how
coy and comfortable he makes me-
Fora looked round. and the coziness and
comfort made her gasp. Cobwebs hung
from the old oak beams across the cell
ing: day or two's ashes defiled the
CRATE: the windows were splashed with
mud and rain. There were no curtains
Her finger drawn along the green baizc
tablec!oth revealed the dust. a pair of
silver candiesticks on the mantelpiece
were stained An iridescet brown. The
the room a tray held the remains Of the
last meal and a plate containing broken
food had overlooked onto a neighboring
chair. An odd. uncleaned boot lay, like
frowsy, drunken visitor. on the floor
The springs OF the armchair on which
she sat were broken.
'Its' not fit for pig to live in she
declared. ITS crime to leave you to
that worthless old ScOundrel I'll talk
to him before l go. He won't like it, And
then I'll write to Emmy. II that has no
effect. Ill go over to Paris and bring her
TO her senses
She had arrived royalty indignant, hav-
ing had a pitched battle with Cousin
Jane, who took Emmy's side and alluded
to Septimus in terms of whitening con-
tempt. Now she was furiously angry.
The two men looked at her with wistful
alteration. for when Fora was furious in
a good cause she was very beautiful And
the alteration in each mans heart was
intensified by the consciousness of the
pathetic futility of her noble rage. 1t
was for her own sake that the situation
had arisen over which she made such q
pother, and she was gloriously uncon-
scious Of it. Sypher could not speak lest
he should betray his knowledge OF Sep
timus' secret. and Septimus could only
murmur incOherent ineffectualities con-
corning the perfection of Emmy the
worthlessness of himself and the diamond
soul that lodged in WiggleswIck's forbid
ding body. Fora would not listen to I'M
reason. 1t was Emmy's duty to save her
husband from the dust and ashes of his
present coZiness, II she could do nothing
else for him; and she. Fora, in her mag
nificence. was going to see that Emmy's
duty was performed. Instead of writing
she would start the next morning for
Paris. 1t would be we'll If Septimus could
accompany her.
Mrs. Dix is coming to London. I he
lieve,' said Sypher
Fora looked inquiringly at Septimus.