Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-09

the chestnut hair which showed copper
glints in the sun-knew that she beguiled
him, as she had beguiled him at Old Point,
and was happy in the knowledge.
But how different this dalliance! Page
was no longer man. He was possibly the
man. Not that she put it thus badly. In
deed, her whole feeling was so fluid that she
did not formulate it even to herself With
the measure of his regard for her in doubt,
she let herself 60 no further than the adj
mission that, if he was to sue, she would
listen with sympathetic ear. There was no
vagueness about her sympathy. The Incl
dent at the Palais Hiver had left her with
an intense craving for the wholesome and
the normal. Her compact with Rodoslav
had lost its glamour. If war did not free her
from its yoke, something else must. If Page
would only let her see, let Rodoslav see, his
real heart!
IL probed for that elusive organ in those
days of reaction!
"Have you an ideal woman2" she pumped
at him once.
Page shook his head with emphasis.
HGive me the actuality,' he said.
"That may mean you can't idealize u.s."
Page waited for her smile and, having
seen it, smiled himself. at means only
what said" he answered. Il am content
with the actuality."
Ann tried to read a personal tribute be-
suppose it S safer" she said. "Youu not be
disappointed when you marry"
"Much safer, he agreed. "What would
an everyday man do with an ideal wife?"
"Or an everyday wife with an ideal hus-
band? But | fancy not many men think as
you do. They want us to be feminine, and
yet they are impatient when we are most
feminine and say or do things without know
ing why. One can't be woman and have
reasons for everything"
"Or human, for that matter. Are men so
reasonable?"
"You are. You don't expect too much
of u.s."
Il would not have woman expect too
much of me-"
AIMS lashes swept her cheek. @For in
stance?" she prompted:
Pages color rose. II mean," he said, II
would have her realize that for years have
been practically hermit; that am behind
the times in nearly everything that would
give to the softer side of life; that am poor,
in debt" He ended the catalogue abb
ruptly. NO. he added as if to himself, Il
am not reasonable. Far from it,"
She got no nearer than that in her prob
ing; but it seemed a promising start. Give
her other such moods, and she would solve
the riddle. But Pages leisure was more
semblance than fact, and such moments were
rare. He and Justin were much together at
one or the other of the aerodromes and, even
if Page joined her at golf or for motor ride,
Ann perceived that his work preoccupied
him constantly. One day he utterly forgot
that he had promised to 60 with her and the
Truscotts to a meet of the Pau hounds, and
they rode away without him.
p ODOSLAV came, however, and in sur
~ prising fashion. Ever since his arrival
he had delighted the aerodrome spectators
with his impetuous ascents and splendid
curves, and he now outdid all his other per-
formances by striking across country to join
the hunt. His descent demoralized the
meet; but it was conceded that he had done
something brilliant in the way of aviation,
and he was made the lion of the hour.
Ann kept on the outskirts of the crowd
about the aeroplane; but Rodoslav's eyes
searched her out. Coming straight to her
side, he laid his hand upon her saddle, and
by attitude and lowered voice advertised his
devotion.