Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

friend has presented itself sooner than expected,
You are right he interrupted quickly faint smile,
something akin to amusement playing about the cor
begn at am hands %ay
touched and the girl hurried out, while he himself
tinguished the light and remained alone the darkened
A FEW moments later, as Gwenth stood in the
drawing room, which softly lighted by sperm
tapers in quaint old silver candelahra Lady Gainseigh
entered, dazzling vision of loneliness, gown of paest
pink the simplicity of which enriched by love knots
of seed pearls and single strand of the simmer
ing gems about her rounded throat. The girl gave
exclamation of delight.
"Auntv you are dear!" she CRIED kissing her first on
one cheek and then the other. What shame the
Count ism here to join IN my admiration OF the love-
lest woman l know
about the girls slender waist and drew her face
quite close to her own. Il forgot to tell you about
Count Restor she said, smiling, 1--WE the best of
friends still; but that is all
WHAT" exclaimed Gwenth with we'll feigned
amazement "You don't mean to tell me you refused
Eyes, that is just what mean, answered her Lady
ship, going over and seating herself at the piano and
letting her white fingers wander aimessy up and down
the keys.
"And may ask why?" inquired the girl
"Why3 Simply because l did not love him, Gwen
it'll
But you might perhaps, have learned to love him"
the girl persisted artfullv.
mo, that is foolish and most mistaken idea " Lady
Gainseigh replied sadly turning the music sheets with
far off look in her dark eyes, Il might, perhaps, if
had never loved before; but" she and came to
the girls side. "Gwenth, she said, taking both slim
hands in her own, Il want to tell You, Dear, what
very, very happy little maid you ought be. You
going to marry the man you love, the who loves
you. Greater happiness than this is not allotted
woman.
And your" the girl said tenderly strokng the
jeweled hands You have never loved but one, have
you, the first? What was his name?'
"Cheston-Ralph Cheston!" Lady Gainslejgh re-
piled slowly "Ah, how long it is since l uttered that
name! How unhappy have been!" She turned abb
rptly from the girl and went to the window where
she stood silent for moments. Gwenth knew she
was crying.
"Aunty, why don't you try to find him? 1t may be
he has married. Tell him how unhappy you are,
and perhaps"
mo, Gwenith, her Ladyship replied brokeny at is
too late AS have sown, must reap. If he thinks
of me at ALL it is only with the contempt merit He
man who could hate bitterly, he could love
we'll; and l know"
Kindly permit Ralph Cheston to speak for him
self The Deep rich voice seemed to proceed from the
sudden silence that followed this unexpected inter-
rupon, and Judge Cheston stood in the library door
way.
Lady Gainsleigh turned will, startled cry of surprise
in which joy struggled for supremacy "Ralph!' she
whispered, moving toward him with cropping, out
stretched hands, and her eyes shining through the
tears.
"Elinore! his voice vibrant with emotion as he
drew the dark head to his shoulder AT last he said
this day!"
A sudden of loneliness crept over GwenitI de-
spite the rapture depicted her face and she stole
softly from the room, leaving the alone and went
in search of Leigh