Evening star., 1912-09-08

got the courage of his convictions.
NOV this as the professor very well knew, when he
to reflect upon SO hasty assertion, not
quite warranted by the facts. 1t evident that
Holiday had not Spunked up; else-whch seemed
as lkely-some external discretion had overcome the
young man innate valOr.
I'm afraid, Harry his sister told him, speaking
more severely now "that you have only yourself to
blame for letting the Holidays of this world walk away
with every nice girl you ever knew OF course there
Madeline
"John, think l will have of those cigars"
"Ah that's all very WE'LL" his sister continued. And,
if were you, think aeoMd hide myself in smoke. In
Nadenes there wasn't any Holiday to interfere.
"You forget said the professor, with his eyes upon
his lighted match.
What do forget"
putting reminscently "You forget he said at last,
and in lower and graver than he had used before
"you forget her mother.
"Just what thought his sister answered in voice
of triumph. "Just what | always said, Harry! You
afraid of that poor child's mother!'
The professor sighed. "Well Helen, she was an old
pelican, YOU know!'
al know she was But what of that? What can
old pelican do, if two young ones just stand right up
and flap their wings at herr?
The professor nodded. true he concluded,
fully possible. "Thats what we ought to have done.
But" he shook his head, "she had long bill, Helen
Suppose she had? Is it fair for selfish old woman
who has had her fling and forgotten what it to
be young and in love, to spoil two lives like yours and
Madelne's? Neither one of you is married. We can
"No' said the professor solennlv. at was wrong,
Helen, very, very wrong. | had almost said it
SIM.
"Well I'll say it for YOU hen his sister answered.
rising in her indignation and choosing another chair
at sin for older people to-forget And they al
ways forgetting -always!
@Stl her brother reminded her in a cautious
perimental tone "on the other hand Madeline
pretty young, YOU know He cleared his throat
"Only nineteen.
"What if she waso She couldn't help that"
"NO he acknowledged heartily "She couldn't help
being young, of course.
and at nineteen" his sister told him,-"why, my
goodness! girl of nineteen is old as man OF twenty
fve any day | guess know. was nineteen once
myself
The professor rose restlessy, and went to the
window that overlooked the street.
"But you mustn't be offended, Harry his sister
begged, "at anything I've said.
aOh I'm not I'm not!' he cried, his face illuminated
with delight asNhe back instantly to his former
seat and pulled ecsatcaly at his gar. "On the
trary, I'm pleased-peased,' he repeated, "hcked to
DEATH That is he explained nervously ito know
that there is mother in the world who has
forgotten what it to be nneteen-and in love.
I'm proud of you, Helen Proud of you! Why-bless
my SOUL If here isn't Eileen And Steve! Well, wel!'
IN they came, bringing the fresh air with them,-
Eileen rosy with confus as she encountered her
unce's steadfast and accusing gaze Stephen, on the
contrary pale but resolute
"Oh dear We've been trying to get here for the last
hour she explained desperately throwing herself down
upon the sofa and gasping for breath But It seemed
if met that knew. D1dn we,
Stephen?'
And all the time, out of the corners of her melting
eyes, she was wooing the professor 10 no avail! he
had been turned to stone Even when she dropped her
gaze and sat for moment without word the picture
of repentant and pathetic ovelness he would not
lent but maintained sphinxike gravity and expectant
silence She would not, however, have been Eileen if
she had failed to rise to this newest crisis.
"Well, Stephen she said, and with quiet dignity
that had further need of unces, any other back
ground for its fulengh portrait of lady, wed better
tell them at once, don't you think!
Stephen cleared his throat.
There was dead silence
But it Eileen who spoke. 4AIother, she said