Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Transit of Venus

II
- place, and dropped into the chair Natalie had va
Gated. The occutaton of Venus had been as abrupt
her appearance and he rubbed his eyes and looked
again at the familiar holdings of the white door with
its glass handle and brass hinges and wondered if he
hadn't fallen asleep and dreamed. But he heard the
sound of footsteps and the closing of the door the
farther end of the short corridor and after that-si
lence. There an odor of lavender too, and the
chair arm beside him was handkerchief with lace
well hers. How little that had signifed to him in
the month of solitary existence in the city; but how
much here at the Grange. which tonight he shared
alone with her! He picked up the piece of lace and
pressed it to his lips.
If the Bolted Door had had eyes, might have whis-
pered his secret down the CORRIDOR but it stared at him
mutely, less unfriendy than other nights some
months ago. when its aIstere lines had spoken eo
quently of intolerance and nhospitaty. 1t very
handsome door, He wondered that he had never had
the taste to appreciat its admirable proportions the
skilful joints and well fitted holdings, gracious door,
the gate to his own particular heaven.
The genuineness of her contrton almost atoned for
its dispassionate brigham awakening conscience and
delayed sense of justice Of course it would have
been folly to expect more, and he found himself singu
lay content to sit where she had sat and 60 again
with interpretations each chapter of her avowal
She had laid particular stress upon the Patonc char
acer of her sentiments forgiven him his transgressons
and in the moment praised his sanity. His sanity
forsooth! Perhaps she did not know how madness
he had BEEN 1t made him happy to think that he could
have brought her womanhcod to BLOSSOM though the
reasons for its poisoning still mystery. 1t
the only time they had ever met on terms of under
standing. The circumstance that had made the early
breach between them still existed and its shadow still
lowered uncomfortable about their relations. But it
was less substantial than before more like veil of fog
which oy morning might be blown away.
She had not spoken of Abby Kempton, and he was
that her silence actuated by decacy rather than
indifference, for no woman of Natale's stamp could
for the publicity that had followed his indscretion
His conscience troubled him Abby KemptonS &C
count much as his He puzzled long. and when
he went to bed his problems were still unsolved.
+:
Leontine and Tibbott. please don't go to town
to-day. There many things want to talk to you
about. If you will stay, shall breakfast with you at
ten.
1t was command, and he lost no time in making
decision, though the black visage of ODowd obtruded
and the work the car truck beckoned inssteny
He already down reading the morning paper when
she joined him. dressed in shrtwaist, short skirt. and
pair of high laced boots.
''You see said he gaily I'm obeying the orders of
She rewarded him with gracious look. II hope
you'll always prove obedient. She took her chair
before the great Sheffield tray which bore the Judson
ing? What is the news?"
"Nothing much. The world seems to have stopped
in its tracks to listen to the pulse of Wall Street
"Stocks down, of course she said with frown.
They always seem to be nowadays.
Eyes lower than ever. There were two bank failures
in Pittsburgh yesterday. in New York. I've
had to bother much about business matters until
Gently but it seems though there was real cause for
uneasiness.
L m SICK or It ALL fleaSe QOn Tell NE, HOC now
I'm not going have my day spoiled. Later we'll talk
of business. That is reason why wanted you. l
think after all I'll have to call on you for advice.
"I' offer it, he laughed, only if you promise not
to take it,
She held the sugar tongs suspended over the coffee
cups. lone lump, two?" she asked. Il ought to
know but"
Zone It's never too late to begin. l feel almost
certain we have sat here before and asked and answered
the same questions.
'sHow curious! Were you thinking that2"
EYES,"