Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-12

that brought the maid, doing over her story
paper in the kitchen, bolt upright in her chair.
STEP into the drawing room, please, said
~ the maid. I'll tell Miss Lois you re
here. Sir. Shall take your coat and hat?
It's raining quite hard, Sir, amt it?'
ga little" muttered Harry, yielding
dripping coat, hat, and umbrella. The big
clock at the foot of the stairs said eight
TWENTY-FIVE He had run all the way, and
was quite out of breath as he passed into the
drawing room 1t was empty; but the fold
ing doors to te library stood wide open and
with sinking heart Harry deserted MIR.
Fielding The latter heard him and glanced
up over his paper.
"Ah good evening Harry. A wet night,
I'm afraid
&C cd evening, Sir Harry lowered him.
self into a deep armchair and viewed his
shoes and trousers ruefully. They were wet
and muddy; for in his haste he had splashed
through every puddle on the way
Raining pretty hard, isn't it?' continued
Mr.. Fielding, folding his paper and laying it
aside.
aNot-not SO very Harry replied with
fine attempt at nonchalance. Il think it's
about over. Sir.
"Reallv?" Mr. Fielding rose and walked
to a window "Hum-I guess you're an
optinist. Harry. Looks to me like an all
night Job" He came into the drawing room,
putting contentedly at his cigar. Let me
see, where's this party to be? At the Will
sons, isn't it?
ayes. Sir.
well, | guess Lois will be down pretty
soon now Must be long after eight, Id
say
"About-yes, Sir think it is.
"Don't let her stay too late. Hello. my
boy, you look pretty wet. Bottom didn't
fall out of the carriage, hope.
mo, Sir" Harry smiled wanly, and Mr..
Fieldings ewes narrowed a mite.
didn't you come in a carriage!'
"No, SIR Harry replied miserably.
"Oh, they're coming here for you! | see.
Still, | think it would have been better if
you'd ridden yourself. Wet shoes aren't
very handy to dance in. Besides, you may
catch cold. Didn't think of that, | pre-
sume?'
@No, Sir; that isl mean-I-I haven't
ordered carriage, Mr.. Fielding
aNo carriage? What are you going to do!
You don't expect my daughter to walk on a
night like this, do you? Why, it must be
nearly half-mile to the Wilsons!'
81 hoped the rain would STOP"
aYou hoped" Mr.. Fielding was plainly
his wet shoes. am afraid hoping. isn't
going to affect the weather tonight" con-
tinued Mr.. Fielding dryly. you'd better
run out to the phone and tell them to hurry
carriage right around here
81 wish | could, Sir; butt cant at
ford it." Harry looked up deprecatingly.
Il haven't enough money, you see."
"Hm!' Mr.. Fielding nodded. i see.
Whv didn't you say so in the first place?
Ashamed of it,
ga little, guess
@No reason why you should be. don't
believe | could have sent flowers to young
lady and hired carriage for her myself
when | was your age He smiled, and
Harry took heart "Let me see, your get
ting ten dollars week, aren't you? Flowers
and carriages must make quite hole IN
ten-dolar bill Think you can afford this
society business?"
@N-no, Sir, I'm afraid | can't.
doesn't look like it, does 1t! II were
YOU I'd omit flowers until | could afford
them, Harry. Girls like them, know; but
| dare say Lois wouldn't think any the less
of you if you left them out. Think she
would?'
"No, Sir.
aNo. If thought she would I'd give her
a talking to. She's pretty sensible girl, If
che &c NV dauphter She's like her mother