Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-09

Quite lost in thought, utterly uncon-
scious for the moment of where he was,
Garden stood with one hand resting upon
the neck of the carven Steed, his eyes
lowered and fixed on its red morocco sad
die. He was standing thus when a voice,
low and musical, awakened him, not rude
ly but rather pleasantly, from his rev.
erie.
If I can be of any service" he heard,
II hope you will permit me-"
He saw that a lady was standing in the
doorway. She was a very winsome-faced
lady, with chestnut hair, like his moth
er's. and hazel eyes that were veritable
orbs of kindness. though even as Garden
glanced AT her he detected something
akin to ROBUSTNESS in their expression
But her mouth seemed tender and sensi-
BILE to an uncommon degree, which might
give to her whole coun. enance. at times
an aspect that savored of the pathetic.
He bowed in courtly fashion to which
she was unused but it pleased her. never
tneless, for she smiled. and when he
spoke she told herself that she liked his
voice.
You can, indeed, he said. with much
cordially, and 1 shall be only too happy
to call upon you. Mrs he paused.
Did 1 understand the maid to say Pen
field?"
Mrs. Penfield. yes, she answered, affa-
bly,. You are looking over the house
with a view to renting?'
With view to buying. he returned.
She shrugged her shoulders.
Il should like to SELL, she said, but
doubt if any one would care to pay my
price The house, you see. is old, and
not in the best repair; and 1 fear I am
asking more than you, or any one else,
would think fair.
He stroked the neck of the plaything
steed as though it were flesh and blood,
and she looked at him a little curiously.
He was very distinguished looking, she
decided, and she liked his thoughtful gray
eyes
Il have not asked what valuation you
put on the property, Garden observed,
nor have I, indeed seen all of the house;
but I don't think I should question your
price-provided, he added. smiling, 'yon
would be willing to throw in this fiery,
untamed beast
At this she became momentarily alarm
ed. She could not fancy any one who
was quite sane talking in just this way.
She was very matter-in-fact herself, and
this seemed very, very fantastical-this
suggestion of making a real estate pur-
chase dependent upon her willingness or
unwillingness to give a hobby-horse as
bonus. Yet the appearance of her visitor
went far to alay her fears. He had an
air of substantially which tended to ar
rest her misigivings. He certainly was
ut fri ia "
tinctly man of the world In speech
and manner he suggested something for
eign, though she could not have told just
what it was or just how it was indicated;
but she was sure he was different from
other men she knew or had met. and the
difference was an agreeable difference
MY sons spring horse?' she aueried,
surprised.
Il have a whim | should like it, her
visitor answered, and smiled reassuringly.
'I-but no, you would not understand,
perhaps
Understand WHAT" she asked bluntly.
Il dare say you think me very odd" he
began, but you would regard me as still
more singular IL said what 1 started to
say"
A chair was near her, and now she
placed her hand on its back, adding ease
to her position.
You know these houses" she asked.
This house was once my home,' he
told her.
You once lived here, sir?''
II was born here he responded.
For a moment she stood silent, starting,
while she gathered her wits, and her
breath came back.
YOU" she murmured, softly, you
you are not possibly Robert Carden:"
1t was his turn now to be surprised.
But you he fastened to question. II
am all at sea- How did you know
Il am Sadie Mitchell she told him.
Surely you have not forgotten"
Forgotten he cried, Il should say
not, You used to live next door. 1t was
the first great sorrow Of my life when
my mother took me away, and | knew