Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-15
THE NATIVE BORN !
l. A. r. WYLIE.


and that was Nicholson. He had been
ordered for a year to Madras. and thus
Ii came about that they often met.
Travers' first dislike for the officer had
evaporated and he seemed rather to in
sist on an increase of their intimacy, in
viting Nicholson constantly to the house.
And in those long evening visits Nichol-
son had seen what others did not see and
what Lois kept hidden in her own heart
For she had told no one that the mirages
We're no more than mirages-that her life
still lacked all the vital elements of real
ity and sincerity. She was proud, and
not even the people in dear old Marut
suspected that she was sitting in the hot
Madras air and in the unhealthy atmoS-
phere of small lies and loose principles in
which Travers was thoroughly at
home. Only Nicholson's sensitive tenn
permanent felt what others neither heard
nor saw.
! So year had passed and every even
ing Lois sat by the window, watching the
busy crowd, and building up their lives
as she had once dreamed of building up
her own. She scarcely thought of her
self, Memories are dangerous. The pres
ent was too real to be considered. and the
future too blank and hopeless.
The darkness increased. Twilight yield
ed to nightfall and the yellow lights
sprang up in the shops opposite her win
dow. She heard the door open but did
not turn. thinking it was her husband
unexpectedly returned.
Shall l light the lamp?' she asked
1t was not Travers who answered. A
familiar voice struck on her ears. like the
memories. ringing out a dangerous re-
SporSe from her tired soul.
Forgive me. Mrs. Travers. I met your
husband this afternoon. and he told me
to drop in unannounced. as he would be
alone 1t seems the other way about. l
am very sorry TO seem so rude.
Lois rose quickly to her feet. She saw
Nicholson standing in the doorway. tall
upright. his face hidden by the shadow.
Il won't disturb YOU. he added, after
a moments hesitation.
The tone of formality hurt her. With
return of her old impulsiveness. she be-
gan searching for matches.
You are not disturbing me- she said.
Archibald told me you were coming. but
| forgot to light up. | was twilight
dreaming if there is such term.
She laughed with forced cheerfulness
and he made no answer. The little red
shaded lamp gave her some trouble. and
when she looked up she saw that he was
standing opposite her, the light falling on
broad scar across his forehead
How the burn shows tonight. she ex-
claimed. invountarily. will you never
lose it,
Never he answered 81 do not want
to- When / am depressed / look at it.
and remember that 1 have done one
thing worth doing in my life
0On I KNOW, STe GU
have done more useful things than that"
Not to my mind
WELL but to mine. There. when / have
pulled the curtains and put the lamp just
at your elbow. you could almost imagine
yourself back in England. couldn't you?
Imagine the street outside as a bit of
London. There could hardly be more
noise. The idea may refresh YOU. You
look SO tired.
He seated himself in the comfortable
bod
about him with faint smile of content.
Yes he said. lit is homely. isn't 1T?
The red light. and the pretty little room
and you sitting there working. 1t might
be corner of the old country-or OF
Marut Your study was just like this, l
Yes, l copied it. 1t made me feel less
lonely. Only / fiatter myself that 1t is
tidier here than it used to be- in the old
days"
He laughed, and the laughter sent the
light shining in his eyes.
Rather. When i first Joined l had the
chemical craze on. do you remember!
thought / was going to discover some
new gunpowder. and we used
to experiment together In your room. The
business came to an untimely end when
/ blew off part of the ceiling
"And some of my eyebrows she inter-
posed, merrily.
Yes. of course. l don't know which
good soul. After that l forget what
craze came about but we always had a
new one on the list. hadn't WEI"
She nodded, her head once more bent
over her work.
None of them lasted, she said.
"CraZes never do
There was a moments silence. Their
little burst of gay recollections was over
and the restraint had regained its old
ascendancy over them. Unknown to her.
Nicholson was watching his companion
with keen. anxious eyes.
Go be continued tomorrow