Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-01

How prettily she had wrapped a leaf
over the rusted edge of the cup. The
leaf lay in his pocket. He had kissed a
dozen times the spot where her lips had
pressed it. Blind fool. Deeper and
deeper; he knew that he never could go
back to that safe ledge of the heart-free.
Time could not change his heart, not II
given the thousand years Of the wander
ing Jew.
Bah. He would walk round the foun-
tain and cool his crazy pulse. He was
Irish, Irish to the core. Would any one.
save an Irishman. give way. day after
mood was savage; he was at odds with
the world. and most of all. with himself.
If only some one would come along and
shoulder him rudely. He laughed rue
fully. He was in a fine mood to make
an ass Of himself
He left the bench and strolled round
the fountain. his cane behind his back. his
chin in his collar. He had made the cir
Gle several times then he blundered into
some one. The fighting mood was gone
now. the walk having Gained him. He
murmured a short apology for his clum-
siness and started on. without even look
ing at the animated obstacle.
Just moment, my studiOus friend. "
"wallenstein? 1 didn't see you Car
michael halted.
That was evident" replied the colonel.
jestingly. Heavens! Have you really
cares of state, that you walk five times
start to go on without SO much as how
do-you-do?"
I'm absent minded" Carmichael adj
mitted
Not always. my friend"
mo. not always You have some other
meaning
That is possible. Now. I do not be-
Iieve that it was absent mindedness which
made you step in between me and that
pretty goose girl the other night
"Ah," Carmichael was all alertness-
1T was not. I believe?'
ut was coldly premeditated. said Car
michael, folding his arms over his cane.
which ne still held behind his back His
attitude and voice were pleasant.
1T was not friendly.
Not to you. perhaps. But that hap
pens to be an innocent girl. colonel.
You're no Herod. There was nothing
her,
"Pretense; they always begin that
way"
Il confess know little about that kind
of hunting, but I'm sure you've started
the wrong quarry this time.
You are positive that you were disin-
terested?"
Come. come, colonel. this sounds like
should never come into life between you
and me. taught you draw-poker: you
ought to be grateful for that, and to ac-
cept my word regarding my disinterested-
ness"
Il do not wish any quarrel. my captain:
but that girls face has fascinated me-
I propose to see her as often as l like.
! ~ have no objection to offer; but told
Gretchen that II any one. no matter who.
ever offers her disrespect. to report the
matter to me at the consulate.
THAT is meddling.
Call 1t what you like, my colonel.
well. in case she is what you consider
insulted, what will you do?" a challenge
in his tones.
Report the matter to the police"
Wallenstein laughed.
And II the girl finds no redress there,
TRANQUILITY, Ito the chancellor"
You would go so far
Even further" unruff1ed.
1T looks as though you had drawn
your saber," with irony.
."Oh, I can draw it. colonel. and when
I do l guarantee you'll find no rust on it.
Come" and Carmichael held out his hand
amicably, Gretchen is already in love
with one of her kind. Let the child be
in peace What! Is not the new ballerina
enough conquest? They are all talking
about it."
Good night. Herr Carmichael" The
colonel. ignoring the friendly hand. sa-
luted stiff1y, wheeled abruptly and left
Carmichael staring rather stupidity at his
empty hand.
ITO be continued tomorrow