Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-04
No. HuRhie had not. "Why?"

No, Hughie had not. "Why?"
I'm bothered about him." said Joan,
descending from her high horse and slip
Dental mood. HE used to write to me
pretty regularly, even after he married
that freak, and we were always fond OF
one another, even though We quarreled
| sometimes. But he seems to have drop
ped out Of things altogether lately. Do
you know what he is doing?"
Cant say, I'm sure" said Hughie.
could you find out for me?
"Of course l WILL said Hughie, quite
forgetting the present awkwardness OF his
relations with Lance in the light OF the
joyous fact that Lance's sister had just
asked him to do her service. I'll go
and look him up. He may be Ill, or
short Of cash. But can't you get news
Of him from-from--''
He stopped suddenly. He had been
about to ask 4 question which had just
struck him as rather ungenerOus.
You mean from Mr.. Haliburton?' said
Joan, with her usual directness. II did
ask him, but he says he has seen nothing
Of Lance for quite long time; so I'm
afraid must bother you Hughie. don't
like to, because I know you won't want
to go out Of your way on his account,
after
Never mind that.' said Hughie. hastily.
"Iil go and look him up
Joan turned to him gratefully.
YOU'RE a good sort, Hughie," she said.
Il don't know what should do without
you.
Hushie glowed foolishly. Her words
did not mean anything, Of course; STILL
they warmed him for the time being. He
never thought Of making capital out OF
Joans impulsive outbursts OF affection.
He regarded them as sort of consolation
| prize-nothing more. He had never at
tempted to make love to her since his first
rebuff. The memory OF that undtgn1f1ed
squabble still made him tingle. and in any
case 1t would never have occurred to him
to renew the attack. Manlike, he had
taken for granted the rather large propo-
| sition that woman invariably means
| what she says. To poster Joan with
further attentions, especially in his ex-
ceptional position, savored to him OF
| For all that, the girl and he seemed of
late to have adjusted their relations with
one another. Joan never played with him
now. encouraging him one moment and
| fiouting him the next. as in the case OF
most OF her faithful band. Her attitude
was that of good comrade. She was
content to sit silent in his company. which
is a sound test Of friendship: she brought
to him her little troubles, and occasion
ally ministered to his; and in every way
she showed him that she liked and trusted
| him. A vainer or cleverer man would
have taken heart of grace at these signs.
Hughie did not. He was Joan's guardian.
and as such entitled to her confidence;
also her very good friend. and as such en-
titled to her affection. That was all. It
was rotten luck, Of course, that she was
not sufficiently fond Of him to marry him.
be prepared for in this world. He would
get accustomed to the situation in time
meanwhile, there must be no more castles
| In the air.
emily. II shall be in town on Wednes-
day. I'll 90 and look Lance up them
But, Hughie." cried Joan. In dismay,
| "wednesday is the day Of the entertain
ment. You must come to that. What Is
your engagement. it it's not indiscreet to
Dentist" said Hughie. lugubriousy.
"Dentist?" Joan laughed, or rather
crowed, in her Enthusiastically childiike
way. "Hughie at the dentists! It'seems
SO funny" she explained, apologetically.
1T will be the reverse Of funny" said
Hughie. severely, when he gets hold OF
me. Do you know how long 1t Is since I
sat in dentists chair? Eight years. no
less!"
you'll catch it," said Miss Gaymer,
confidently. "But you simply must not go
on that day. I want you at the show.
Can't you change the date?"
said Hughie, that it was q most extra
ordinary piece Of luck for me that he
should be able to take me at all; and he
rather suggested that il broke the ap-
pOintmenC j neeu not expect announcer on
this side OF the grave. Besides. next We'd
nesday Is about our one off day from
shooting. / Also
Miss Gaymer fixed a cold and accusing
eye on him.
Confess. miserable shunler!" she said.
"You arranged that date with the dentist
on purpose, so as to escape the the
atrfcals."
Guilty. my lordl' replied the criminal.
resignedly.
well. you are let of with q caution"
said Joan. graciously, but you'll have to
come. all the same. You will. won't you.
Hughie?"
"Will my presence make SO much diff
fereuce?" said Hughie. rather boldly for
him. He was inviting a heavy snub. and
he knew it.
Joan raised her eyes to his for q mo.
ment.
yes" she said. rather unexpectedly.
1T will"
"Then I'll come" said HuEhie, with
vigor. II 90 to the dentist at TO- I'll get
that over, ask Lance to lunch and come
down by the afternoon train. What time
does the show begging"
Eight"
"The train gets in at 7:5O. III come
straight to the parish hall"
| You'll get no dinner" said Joan, In
| warning tones.
| (To be continued tomorroW.o