Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-25

swels- But unfortunately he had it from the best
source possible,a Wall Street broker who inter
esed in of Patons undertakings, and to whom the
will of vital Importance Howard had actually
read it in his office, and speaking first hand few
hours later it the evening papers for all the world
to share under scareheads that put Stellas in
offensive prominence. Yes, it all true about the
million ito my dear niece, Stella Blanche Patton and
all the rest of it.
Maybe l fool to take it to heart as | did.
Never having stood the slightest chance before why
should now be working myself into such fever about
this miono Farquhar Onset just formidable,
million no mllion were all those supermen trail
ing, after the other that little stage up at
Central Park West. 1t was impossible to see how they
could be any persistent with million added
to the prize But | am not anayzng my feelings: |
am telling them and right or wrong, that million
crlsher. took it SO hard that stayed away from the
house; to Atlantic City in an ntermission of my
work; obstinately made up my mind to give her up
and try to myself-and hurt her litte-by drop
ping completely out of her life.
OF course, deep down. onged that it might hurt
found sort of bitter pleasure in the pain it likely
cause. Amid all those faces and courtiers
she might notice, with pang, that of the old
missing! 1t was not without its pahos, her faithful
old dog unobtrusivey slipping away, too i'll at in
those splendors and among all those fawnng sup
planters to keep his place any longer at her feet Self
pity wed with grinding jealousy. would stay away,
Childish Yes, suppose it was Idiotc and u,l-
kndo ! admit it without word of contradiction.
But such is love when it strikes inward and rends
man; when disappointment and failure grow too intol
cradle to be borne when in sort of desperation he
his face to the wall knew that Stella very
fond of me,-hked me as much woman could, who
wasn't the least in love-yet | wlfully stayed away,
and was rude enough not to answer the two notes she
wrote me. The first simple invitation to dinner
and the opera tore up and threw it into the waste
paper basket This seemed at the time act of mag
nicent despair, such might the stage with
sympathetic audience sniveling The second was half
pleading, half offended leaving it easy for to make
my peace II | had anything of an excuse to offer. This
went into the basket also Then waited, in agonizng
perversty for the third that would annhilae me. But
might have known that Stella too finely bred to
stoop to reproaches Silence met by silence, and
was left to draw my conclusions.
T DON'T remember how long this lasted. 1t was an
age, anyway-weeks and weeks. | got into drink
ing set with great idea of going to the devil; but
grew tired of it, and went back to my neglected
business. Work was lots better, much more of a
ISOLATION, and happened just then to have big
OF It, put my despair in a bucket and laid it on till
my ached: indeed, | eager that patented
volcano, and got provisional protection for the
best lake OF burning fire on Broadway. |
don't believe thoroughly on the job at
this time, fuller Of ideas and originality. guess
little specks OF my heart sticking to my canvas
and that why was excelling myself-just the love
hest flowers grow on graves, you know.
One day in the club was handed telephone call
with Stelas name on it. To be consistent | suppose
| ought to have told the boy that | was out But in
stead raced for the booth like person leaving burn
ing building and in such shiver Of suspense that |
trembled as took up the receiver.
as that you, Waly?" heard Stella ask in forlorn
little voice.
~Ycs," | answered, not nearly so gruf1y l had
meant, but somehow softencd and ashamed.
"And what's the matter? Am never to know?'
"Know what
"Why you have been 50 unlnd, and-and- Oh,
Wally what have done to deserve it,
Things got too impossible 50 thought ibid
commit suicide.
"Sucide?'
"We, drop out"
Couldn't you have left dying noteo They usually
do don't theyo'
THAT would mean an explanation, and didn't wish
to make one.