Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30

quarrel, Virginia finally left off her persua-
sions, bidding her sleep on the suggestion
and give her answer tomorrow.
MATTERS were at this pass when they
A'A parted company in the piazzetta the
Truscotts hailino gondola, the others saun-
tering back to the hotel with repeated stops
before the glittering windows of the arcades
and the Salizzada San Noise.
Ann linked her arm within her aunt's and
detained her before jewelers. display till
the men strolled beyond earshot. "Would
you go, Aunt Helen?" she asked, still hoping
that she need not personally decide. @Put
yourself in my place"
II can't do that, my dear"
"Well, then, decide for me"
II cannot do that, either. You must
know whether you do or don't want to 60"
as that all l need consider"
II don't know of anything else. You
heard what your uncle said"
"He had to say something to get rid of
Virginia cooling into his face"
@You needn't be afraid that he said more
than he meant. He doesn't let politeness
carry him that far. AS for Virginia Truscott,
she is often silly and sometimes loud; but l
never saw any great harm in her. 1t was
nice of her to ask us, and it really is good
chance, as she said, though 1 wish she
hadn't, -for you to see place where you
may live. l should like to 60 myself on that
account"
@Do come!" begged Ann, with eagerness
that threw light on her real wishes. II know
you weren't altogether serious about the sea-
sickness and the fannels"
The elder woman smiled. Il am alto
gether serious about wanting to stay with
JUSTIN" she replied. 1--WE sha'n't have
many years together, and begrudge every
day we spend apart. You'll understand by
and by, if you don't now. But possibly you
do understand now, and for that very reason
don't wish to miss the cruiser"
Ann lodged that question. "Perhaps
Uncle Justin will finish business in time to
bring you along" she said hopefully. as it
something important? haven't heard him
mention it before"
at concerns Oliver"
@Oh," said Ann, and moved on out of the
glare of the shop window.
Justin had word from him tonight" con-
tinued her aunt, speaking with the constrain
that had marked even the most casual refer
ences to Page since AIMS engagement. "He
is coming back by way of Vienna"
"And Venice?"
ayes, of course. 1t is directly in his way
to the plant"
as he coming soon?" Try as she would,
Sic COulu LOI Lldkc CIlc query CdIclcSS
II think so; but am not sure. Justin is
very eager to see him. He will not dream of
stirring from Venice till he comes"
AIMS heart leaped. He was coming! Any
day he might come! And then her brain in
quired what in the world did it matter to
Ann Milburn whether he came or mott? But
the heart is foolish organ. 1t continued
excitable. Not even the most stern remind
ers that Page had had his chance and for
feited it, that he was as nothing in her
thoughts, very Ishmael, could bring it to
complete tranquility. Though he was an
outcast argued the foolish organ, would it
not be still sweet to teach him the value of
the prize he had flung away? Viewed thus,
his return was worth Ann Milburn's con-
sideration. She owed it to her pride to con-
front him, to let him see how little he count
ed, to prove to him-perhaps- much
she signi6ed to some one else.
This under the arcades. As they came
out into the Salizzada San Noise the imme-
date present became absorbing. Justin had
entered tobacconist's, Rodoslav remaining
at the door to intercept them. Something
in printshop opposite caught Mrs. Blair's
eye as they joined him, and she crossed to it
without warning, leaving Ann to an encoun-
ter she would willingly have postponed.