Evening star., 1911-05-31
L A. r. wYLE
Copyright, 1910. 1.e Bobbs-Mertn Co. !.

Il
race distinction. Does 1t really mean so
much? Will it never be bridged over?"
Never" he said. ut can't be. 1t is
a justified distinction and to my mind
those who ignore It are to be despised."
| He had answered her question with only
a part seriousness. his whole interest con-
centrated on the charm Of her person
ality. But for once her gravity resisted
the suppressed merriment in his eyes,
| Are the natives. then, so contempt
\ ible?" she asked.
/ Not exactly contemplate. but inferior.
/ They have not our culture, and whatso-
ever they borrow from US is only skin
deep. Beneath the varnish they are their
elemental selves-lazy. cruel. treacherous
and INSCRIPTIONS. No. no. Each race
must keep to itself. Our strength In In
| dia depends on our exclusiveness-upon
| keeping ourselves apart and above as su-
perior beings. So long as they recognize
We are superior. 50 long Will they obey
| u.s."
1T Is superiority, then. which prevents
every one except professors from taking
any interest in the natives?"
Possibly" he returned, not quite so
| much at his ease. "One feels natural
repugnance. you know
you would never have anything to do
with them?'
mot II 1 could help it."
She sighed and turned away. as though
his gaze troubled her.
IT don't know why-it makes me sad
| to hear you talk like that" she said. 1t
seems SO terribly hard"
TT is hard" he affirmed. following her
| out Of the curious. heavy atmosphere into
the evening sunshine. There are great
many things in life which. as Tar as We
know, are inevitable. so that there IL no
use in worrying or thinking about them.
Her more serious mood had conquered his
good spirits. and for q moment he stood
at her side looking at the disused bunga-
low with eyes as thoughtful as her own.
isn't 1t stranger? he went on. "Our
ends of the earth, doomed to die in the
same spot and In the same hour, and We
children. far away in England. knowing
nothing Of each other. have drifted back
to the fatal place to find each other
YES" she said. as he hesitated. ''it Is
strange. l could almost think that this
bungalow had some mysterious influence
over our lives"
fancy.
..It may be. But come! We have had
enough gloom for one evening. Let me
gather some flowers for you before we 80
back"
She assented, and they followed the
winding paths. stopping here and there
to cut down some Of the most tempting
Of Mrs. Carmichaers tenderly loved bios
SONS and always turning aside when they
No word OF tenderness had ever passed
between them. ard yet they. were happy
to be together. 1t was as though bond
united them which had grown up. silent
met, and In a quiet. peaceful way they
knew that It existed and that they loved
each other.
From the veranda. where she was sew
ing by the fading light. Mrs. Carmichael
could watch their appearing and disap-
pearing figures amid the trees with the
satisfaction Of a confirmed matchmaker.
She. too. knew Of this bond. and though
she was trifie impatient with the slow
ness of the development. she was content
to bide her time.
II don't usually pay any attention to
station gossip she said to her husband.
who was trying to read the newly ar
rived English paper. but for once In q
way l believe there IL something In 1t.
According to my experience. they should
be engaged in less than q fortnight.
Col. Carmichael started.
"Who? Lois and Stafford"
"Yes. of course. Who else? Every
body looks upon it as practically settled.
Why do you look like that? You ought
to be pleased. You said yourself that you
were very fond OF Stafford"
Carmichael made quick gesture. as
though to stop the threatening torrent OF
expostulation. He had turned crimson
and his whole manner was marked by
an unusual uneasiness.
'Of course. I am fond Of Stafford" he
began. Il only meant"
He was saved the trouble Of explain
iEg what he did mean by sudden ex-
clamation from his wife. who had let her
wo-k fall 20 the ground with q start Of
alarm.
Good gracious. Mr.. Travers-, she cried.
in her sharp way. What q fright you
gave me! : thought you were q horrible
thug or something come to murder us all.
There. how do you dor She gave him
he, .
We have just had ours. but II you would.
I am quite ready to keep you company.
Tea, as you know. IL q weakness OF mine.
That Is why my nerves are SO bad"
Traxers bowed. smiling. He was rather
paler than usual. and the hand which
held large bouquet of freshly cut fiow-
ers trembled az though the shock his sud-
den appearance had caused Mrs. Carmi-
chael had recoiied on himself.
Thank you-no," he said. "As mat.
ter of fact. came TO bring these for Miss
Caruthers. but as she 10 not here should
be very grateful II might have few
words with you alone. have something
OF Importance, which II would be. per-
haps. better to tell you hrst.''
Certainly" the colonel said, clearing
his throst and settling himself farther
back in his chair. There Is no time like
the present"
Travers looked at him in troubled sur
prise. The elder mans tone and attitude
were those OF some one confronted with
q not unexpected but unpleasant crisis.
1T concerns your ward. Col. Carmf-
chael." Travers said. taking the chair Of
fered him. ''I think you must have
known long ago that cared very dearly
for her. ! have come now to ask her to
be my wife" y
He spoke quickly and abruptly, as
though to hide . powerful emotion. and
there was IN instant's uncomfortable 81
lence. Mrs. Carmichaels head was bent
over her work. She did not dislike
Travers. but this unexpected proposal up
set all her plans. and though Il natSered
her pride In Lois. she felt disturbed and
thrown out Of her course.
1T think you have made q mistake, Mr.
Travers." she said. at last as her hus-
band remained obstinately silent. II have
every reason to believe that Lois heart
Is given elsewhere. However, we have
no right to interfere-Lois must decide
for herself. She is her own mistress.
What do you say. George. dearr'
The colonel shifted his position. Ev1-
IDENTIFY he was at . loss to express him
self and his brow remained clouded.
IF II IL Lois wish ] shall put no OBJ
stacie In the way Of her happiness" he
said. slowly.
Have YOU any persona; objection.
colonel?'
II! On. dear. nor was the hurried an
T6inn aaneon1 rllnnen = raleh