Evening star., 1911-06-08

and was gazing out over the garden. his
arms folded over his broad. powerful
chest. His silence was pointed, brutally
significant. 1t threatened to force an ex
PLANTATION which each present was ready
to give his life to avoid. The colonel
Mrs. Carmichael. STAFFORD himself, each
thought of Lois in that brief silence. and
each after his own character acted in
obedience to the instructive desire to pro-
tect and uphold her. No one looked at
her. 1t was as though they were afraid
to read pitiful self-betrayai on her
young. mobile features. and with a fierce
attempt at cOmpOsure the colonel turned
to Stafford. He meant to break the icy.
threatening silence with the first COM
mOnplace which occurred to him, and at
| the bottom OF his heart he cursed Travers
for his attitude of uncoEcealed scorn.
The next instant the clumsy words which
he had gathered together in his rage and
distress were checked by Lois herself.
She advanced to Stafford with outstretch-
ed hand her face grave but absolutely
composed.
Il congratulate you." she said. Il hope
you will be very happy"
That was all. but it sufficed to break
the spell which held them bound. The
coloners commonplace passed unnoticed.
and Mrs. Carmichael murmurei maud
IDLY. Only Travers remained silent i'm
movab Bile.
Thank you," Stafford said. He had
taken Lois hand without hesitation. and
the painful uneasiness which had at first
marked his manner had given place to a
certain grave. decided dignity. Thank
you." he repeated. Il hope we shall be
to keep our engagement private. My fu-
ture wife wishes 1t for the present-only
you were to be told. So much owed to
YOU"
Yes, you owed us much" the colo
mel said. and there was faint, irrepres-
sible irony in his tone
Stafford still held Lois hand. He
seemed to have forgotten that he held 1t.
and when she gently drew it away he
started and a wave of dark color mount
ed to his forehead.
II must go now," she said. II shall be
late for the tournament. and 1 am to play
with Capt. Webb in the doubles. 1t would
not be fair for me to spoil everything
IL am very glad and grateful that you
told u.s.
Mrs. Carmichael gripped the arms Of
her chair. She saw more than her hus-
band saw, and there was something in
that absolute self-possession which fright
ened her.
please go with Lois, Mr. Travers," she
said, sharply, recklessly. Il do not want
her to go that long way alone. I should
worry the whole evening"
May 1. Miss Caruthers?" Travers had
turned at last and was looking at her.
You promised me that / might act as
substitute. Do you remember?' His tone
was low. significant. full of a profound
feeling which he knew she would hear
and understand.
She took his extended arm and he felt
that she chung to him for support
THANK you." she said, under her
| breath.
She went with him to the head of the
| veranda steps. blindly obeying his strong
face and Suddenly she laughed lightly
cheerfully. as though nothing in the
world had happened, and her eyes flashed
| with an unconquerable courage.
You are not to bother" she called
back to him. Il shall play up and win
l shall come back with all the prizes"
| He nodded He understood and recog-
nized the fighting spirit, and his admira.
| ton kindled and mingled with a biting
| cruel grief. He watched her as she
walked proudly erect at Travers side
and his heart ached. He understood wha'
| his wife had understood in the first mo.
| ment and what an hour before would
have seemed impossible to them both; ht
understood that they were helpless, thai
they could neither protect nor comfor
fded to their care. Their love. great a.
it was, lay useless. and his last pride, hi:
last consolation was gone. He threw i
| to the wrecked lumber on his life's road
He did not hear stafford.s farewell mol
his wife's icy response. He stood there
with his hand clenched on the balustrade
motionless and wordless. until the even
ing shadows had crept over the silen
| garden. In that hour he knew himself tt
| be an old and broken man.
| Many miles away a dusty. haggard
| faced rider urged his weary horse ovel
| the great high road. Danger lurked II
every shadow but he needed nothing
| was scarcely conscious of what went or
about him. He. too. suffered. but no re
morse mingled itself with his tight-lippet
grief He had done the right and-ac
| cording to his code and way of thinking
| the only merciful thing.
! (To be continued tomorrow)