Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-11

mad come TO nothing, THIS one success pro-
vided him with excuse for his previous ex-
istence.
Perhaps deceased humorists retain the
faculty of making living people smile. That
might have accounted for the expression on
Natales face as she drove in the break-cart
along the country road that lay between
the Grange and Habberton Station one af-
ternoon in October She drove the break
cart because the garage was closed and Ell
enne had been dismissed. But there was
nothing in her expression to show that she
missed the ease and comfort of the big ma
chine. Her face was radiant, and as she
reached a quiet part of the road that ran
through an arch of maple boughs she lay
back against the leather strap, her eyes on
the shadowy road before her, the picture of
content. Beyond the houses of Habberton
climbed the hill. back of which was the rail-
road station-and Brooke.
She liked to drive up just as the train came
in. At the end of the lane she heard the wfis
tie of a locomotive and looked at her watch.
At the touch of the lash the nag swung into
a trot which brought them to the platform
just as the train rolled in. There was row
of automobiles and station wagons awaiting
the other commuters; but Brooke was out
of the train and beside her before she had a
chance to nod greeting to anyone she knew
IL
Her husband was laden with packages of
various sizes. These he put in the back of
the cart, and got up and took the reins.
You look very happy she laughed.
Il am. Don't always look happy when
get homer"
And what lot of packages. you i'm
provident creature! That long one-looks
like beauties"
1T is-they are" he said shamelessly.
And the smaller ones?"
"Maroons."
You disobedient, delightful person! I'm
going to lecture you, she began.
Don't you want them?" he returned.
Il thought we were going to econonaize."
I've another package"
Another"
Eyes, smaller" He took it from his
pocket and gave it to her.
1t was small cardboard box, wrapped in
paper of delicate tint, fastened with a red
rubber band. She turned it over and over in
her fingers and slipped off the wrapper.
They had reached the maple lane. and he
pulled the hack to walk, preserving all the
while an air of mystery
q! know you have been doing something
foolish. You have guilty look"
She opened the cardboard box, disclosing
white velvet case which she took out and
opened Within was large white diamond
set in plain gold ring.
"Oh, Brooke!"
You wouldn't let me get one when we
were engaged. It's never too late to mend.
Would you mind putting it on at once?"
She tore off her left glove, and he slipped
the ring on. docs it fit?" he asked.
Wonderfully! But it's very wrong of
you. We can't afford anything 1ike this 1t
must have cost at least five hundred dol
lars"
1T did," he said promptly. more than
that" He was much amused, brimful of
,laconic deviltry which defed analysis. Her
eyes questioned; but he only looked ahead
at the ears of the horse.
"Of course it makes me very happy" she
went on. "And l can't tell you how sweet
of you it was to get it; but should have
been happy without it, Brooke. And can't
help thinking it was very extravagant, very
foolish of you"
''Oh, no. not at all, he said, still smiling.
. It's quite improper to be married without
having been engaged
she could not make him out at all, and
not until they got to the Grange was
there any exclamation of the MYSTERY