Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-14

barraSSment. Il dldn mean 10 111Snten
YOU
do appear to be the one that is fright
ened?" she queried, with smile, her self
possession returning instantly. Are you
going to bar me out? It's very wet out
here.
With muttered apology, Kent stepped
aside, and she entered. Even in his uneasi-
ness Kent could not but see how the girlish
loneliness had ripened and warmed, yet
without FORGETTING anything OF that quaint
appealing wistfulneSs which made her charm
unique. But there glinted now in her deep
eyes an elfsh spirit of mischief, partly in
spired by the confusion of the helpless male
creature before her, partly the reaction from
the mingled dread and desire of the uneX-
pected meeting with Sedgwick; for she had
come on sudden, uncomfortable impulse to
see him, and would have turned and fled at
the last minute had not Kent surprised her.
Perhaps there was little flavor of revenge
for this, too, in her attitude toward him.
what a surprise to find you here, Mrs.
Kent she remarked sweetly. Cor are you
calling yourself Mr.. Blair nowadays And
how is your poor carr
Chester Kent Immediately seized that I'M
offending member and chung to it with much
the lost and anguished expression OF the
pale martyr in the once popular Rock OF
Ages" chrome. His tornentor considered
him with malicious eyes.
did any woman ever say Boo!' to him
suddenly, wonder?' she unused aloud.
Like a saving grace, there came into
kent's mind fragment of "The Hunting of
the Shark, in which he had just been revel-
ing. Said he gravely:
He would answer to Hill or to any loud cry
Such as Fry me or Fritter my wig!
She caught up the stanza:
..Or what you-may- call- EN- or Thingumbob.
But especially Thingumajig.
$50 you know Lewis Carroll. How really
human of you!'
at is better to be humane than human, :"
rnurmured Kent, relinquishing his aural
grip as he began to touch bottom.
as that pleao Very well. l shall be
very gentle and soothing. But, OH, she
burst out irrepressibly, "may the kindly
Fates give me to be among those present
when you fall in love!'
Kent favored her with an elaborate bow.
"Your presence would be the one essential"
said he.
Really she approved, you're progress
ing. begin to feel repaid for my visit, al
ready"
This time Kent looked her in the eye. Il
appreciate your having come to examine the
door," he said. Its one of the most inter
esting features of Our modern architecture
and may lead to-all sorts of things
1t was her turn to grow red
"You haven't asked me about Sedgwick,
he continued.
as he well?" she asked formally, but with
quickened breath.
"He is more than that. He is cured-and
man. A man., he added meaningly, "for
any woman to be proud Of
There was a step on the floor above.
Marjorie Blair's hand went to her heart.
Il didn't know he was here she whis-
pered affrightedly. II came just to-look
at the place. Then l saw the light, and l
wanted so to come in; but didn't dare
can't see him now! must go! Don't tell
Chester Kent raised his voice. Prank
he called. "Come down here! Quick!7
Not twice in his life had Sedgwick heard
that tone in his friends voice. The
bungalow shook to his long tread across the
floor The studio door opened and flew shut
behind him. He took the stairs at a leap,
and on the landing stopped dead.
"Marjorie!' he cried.
He saw the woman of his love stand trem-
bling to his CALL under the broad glow of the
lights, with an answering face half panic,
half passion. He saw the man of his friend
ship smile slowly, turn away, and slip out
into the night He crossed the floor to the