Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-01

And you didn't really want to see me
again.
1T seems perfectly plain to me- I did
want to see You. but did not want you
to see the note-and yet if you were
never coming back at all ] should have
entirely different when you took it for
granted that / should have written that
kind of note if I had known that you
would read it. Don't You see?''
Oh. let Ii CO. said Dick IT always
was stupid: let's begin again now But
what was Lorrain doing here?''
If you We're truly respectable you
would be heartily ashamed Of yourself for
speaking OF him as you did. He is one
,, He is thoughtful friend Of himself.
but of no one else. Where on earth did
YOU meet him.
You are one said Kate. But he is not
friend of mine, so you might have done
worse. Father met him in connection
with business, and he came out here to
see father. and l met him incidentally.
This was the very night after you left.
He always speaks kindly of YOU
"Kindly-humph.' broke in Dick.
Yes. lie says that you are good-na-
tured and warm-hearted and well mean
ing: but that you are so impulsive that
it,
Cad" said Dick, explosively. And
this is your new friend?
1T is just lots of fun to tease you: no
wonder / miss you. Still, to be perfectly
frank. he is not my friend. He merely
overlook me the night you saw us to-
gether and ! have not seen him since
Father does not like him. either
Il am glad you added that either
Does your fathers estimate of young
man outweigh your own" Dick was
wondering if he had not better let the
National steel mills off with nothing
worse than good shaking
They have never claShed vet an
swered Kate, with circumspection. But
L must turn back now. Auntie and I are
on the best of terms and it is best to
continue thus"
How often may / come and see you?''
| asked Dick, after they had started to re-
turn.
Il suppose l had better consult with
father
This remark producing no reply. she
added: I'VE couldn't possibly resume the
OOy and girl attitude. you know.
Il don't want to- said Dick decisively.
! Do you mean to come right to the door
and call on me?" asked Kate, stopping
to look at him. They looked into each
others eyes and then broke into merry
laughter.
II am not the only child in this group
said Dick: but honestly, / hate to f1utter
| down to everyday, commonplace conven-
tiOnality. ! guess ] must be part gypsy"
I'm afraid I'm good deal that way
myself admitted Kate: but surely the
adventure of the bear den should have
cured us BOTH
"Oh. but that was a complication. the
like of which could never again occur.
1t was terrible while it lasted: but now
that ii is all over, won't you own I'D that
1t was more fun than any stately affair
you have ever participated IMP
1T really is funny to look back to: but
l wouldn't go through with it again for
worlds
They were very close to the gate now.
The moon was just visible. and they
paused once more and looked into each
others eyes, dim and soft and misty i'm
the thin light.
But it never could happen again. said
Dick. assuringly.
But something else might.
Nonsense" Scoffed Dick.
Kate. is that you?" asked low. firm
voice.
They stood in startled surprise, and so
lightly does civilization rest on us that
their first impulse was to run: but Dick,
| being more the practiced outlaw. was the
first to recover.
Answer he whispered. nudging her.
Yes. auntie.'' she answered. in a voice
SO composed that it was unnaturally for
NAL.
WHO is that with your
Again there was silence. Dick be-
| longed to that cheerful band of free
hooters who bluff persistently and hope
fully. until they get caught at it: and
stake all on making their bluff a reality.
| AS 1t is a resourceful crew, 1t requires
ready tact if 1t is to be properly con-
| trolled.
Tell her. he whispered, command
J ingly.
1T is Mr.. Bennington" replied Kate,
with sinking heart and voice.
''What?" exclaimed Miss Burton, try
| ing to see him In the gloom. for the moon
being young had been forced to retire
early.
The reaction had set in with rollicking
force. Dick walked up to the gate. turned
on his flash and held it with the bright
| disk shining on his face. Don't you re-
member me?'' he effused, pleasantly, as
though sight Of his face were sure to re-
| call happy experiences.
Miss Burton was astonished; the face
| which stood out SO clearly before her was
that of the inspector of Bennington Park
| to whom she had once given a tip It
was frank. boyish face, and the eyes
were dancing merrily. There was some
| thing about the face. glowing with the
eternal youth of today, and yesterday,
| and long. long ago. which sent strange.
warm rays through the crust of years
which shielded her. lighting the inmost
| recess of her heart and showing the little
| trinkets of girish sentiment. which, all
unknown to herself. were still kept and
| guarded as the great treasures Of her
| life.
The merry eyes, gentle and fearless.
l
| lenge. the smiling lips seemed ready to
| frame an answer in kind to any question
she might ask. to controvert any state
ment she might make. So taken by sur
| prise was she. and so curiously affected,
that she found difficulty in recovering her
self-possession. usually so reliable
Certainly" she answered, with reserve
| which she instinctively felt he would re-
, gard as affectation; and then she turned
| to the girl. "katherine"-her voice had
the true ring now-'1 think it time for
you to come in"
Does that include me?" asked Dick.
| brazenly.
1T was not intended to-" answered Miss
Burton, enjoying the touch of her re-
, turned dignity.
| Then l wish to offer an amendment"
| you told me that you We're the in
| spector of Bennington Park" said Miss
! Burton, accusingly.
This is always the way the world uses
| me. l tried to save you embarrassment
and you class it in as ordinary subter-
| fuge. I am Dick Bennington, nephew of
| Richard. and an outcast on the face of
| we'll talk it all over and decide on what's
| to be done"
II think it would be more agreeable to
| More agreeable. certainly" acquiesced
we justified in permitting agreeableness
| ton of our duties? No, no. indeed"
| at Hates peculiar conduct, and. as the
sor tn &c