Evening star., 1911-07-30

genuinely "Al will come right in time I'm sure. You
must be sweeter to him. Gretchen-you really must'
"I suppose | must said Gretchen with air of
resignation. "I1l not be any cruel than l can
help"
VIHEN the mother left the room they looked at each
w other for moment, and then burst into shame
less laughter
"Poor Mother! She never had a sense of humor.
wouldn't laugh at your funeral, though, Cort. That
unknd. You know I'm afraid Father is very much
provoked.
cigarette. "Hes really quite about 1t, ism he
"Oh, yes. It's awful nuisance, because in his way
he has will as strong as NINE.
Bent smiled. "Im glad m not In his boots. You re
fearfully stubborn, Gretchen
Because l insist marrying whom | choose?'
because you insist not marrying me-.
Miss Janney sank in a chair by the table, lingering
the pages of magazine She said nothing in reply; but
in few moments spoke carelessly
"Te1 me something about Lawrence Berkely, will
you?"
Larry You've met only him once. Your curiosity
is indecent
"You know he coming here with the Wrays."
"Not really! That's going bit strong. don't
think I'll stand for that"
"Oh, yes, you will He's quite as good as we are.
He belongs to the Berkelys of Virginia. Mrs Rumsen
knows them"
That's convincing. Anyone Aunt Caroline knows
will need no card Saint Peter Oh, Larrys all right;
but you not to fall in love with him.
"That's precisely what I've DONE" she asserted.
He glanced at her amusedly; but she met his look
cooy.
dts true, Cort He's actually the only man I've
met since came out who really isn't eligible. I'm so
delighted! Of course father would never have per
mtted it, if he'd only known that Mr. Berkely wasn't
rich. He hasn't much use for poor people. Oh, he's
then he doesn't any of that fabulous gold mine.
"How do you know all these thngs?'
"He told me. Besides he's terribly good looking, and
has something the matter with his lungs"
"Well, of all the
@Thats why he's been living in the West. But he's
quite we'll now Isn't it splendid? l only hope he'll
ileyr 0OrtI thipkh he has II eve
am sure never noticed See here, Gretchen, you're
talking rot! I'm going to tell your father
4Oh don't care airily; "but if you do III tell Mr.
Wray"
"Yes-that you're in love with his WIFE
MISS JANNEY exploded this bombshell casually
A~A as she removed her hat-watching him
fully meanwhile in the mirror If she had planned her
coup she could have been fully rewarded; for
Cortland started up clutching at the chair arms. his
face aghast but when his eyes met hers in the mirror
he sank back again, laughing uneasiy.
"What-who on earth put that silly idea into your
head?"
"You-yoursef watched you at the Warringtons'."
"What nonsense I've known Camilla long time
"Not so long you've known And you never
looked like that" She laid her hat beside her
crop the table then turned quickly and put her hand
over his on the chair arm "You may trust me- Cort
land dear. If I'm going to be your sister, may as well
begin at once. It's true, isn't it?"
He remained silent long while his gaze fixed the
open fire before him. Then last he turned his hand
over that his fingers clasped hers "Yes, he whlS
pered cts true, Gretchen-it's true!'
I'm so sorry, Cort!" she murnured. a suspected
from your letters 1 wish might have helped you l
feel somehow that | am to blame-that we ever got
engaged. Won't you tell me how it happened that she
married him, instead of you?
"No-no" he said, rising and walking to the window
@She-she married Wray because-because she loved
him. that's all | wasn't the man."
Gretchen watched him wstfuly, still standing beside
the chair he had vacated full of the first deep sympathy
she had known. Slowly she walked and put
her hand trnidy on his shoulder
you'll forgive me, won't YOU, Cort? | shouldn't