Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11
CHAPTER K.
Life Must Go on Just the Same.

They met at dances and at musical at
homes, for the world wagged just as it
had always done, and here-don't you
think Plies the tragedy Of the common
place. Luke and Louisa, with the whole
aspect Of life changed for them, with
problem to face of which hitherto they
had no conception, and the solution OF
which meant a probing OF soul and heart
and mind-Luke and Louisa had to see
the world pass them by the same as here
tofore with laughter and with tears, with
the WEAKNESS of pleasure and the bur-
dens Of disappointment.
The world stared at then-curious and
almost interested-searching wounds that
had only just begun to ache, since indif-
ferent hands had dared to touch them:
And convention said: Thou shait not
seem to suffer; thou shalt pass by serene
and unmoved; thou shalt dance ana sing
and parade in park or ballroom: thou art
my puppet and I have nought to do. with
thy SOUL
So Luke and Louisa did as convention
babe them, and people stared at them
and asked them inane questions that were
meant to be delicate, but were supremacy
tactless. People, too, wondered what
they meant to do, when the engagement
would be duly broken or. or what Col:
Harris'-Louisa's father-attitude would
excitement consequent on Lord Rad
clyffe's open acknowledgment Of the
claimant things had tanned OF somewhat;
Luke de Mountford looked just the same
as before, although awhile ago he had
been heir to one Of the finest peerages in
England and now was penniless son or
a younger son. I don't know whether
people thought that he Ought to look en-
tirely different now, or whether he should
henceforth wear shabby dress clothes and
hot hot va the dry cleaner. Ger.
tain it is that when Luke entered re-
ception room dozen lips were ready
had they dared or good breeding allowed
to frame the question:
well, and what are you going to do
! now?'
do tell us how it feels to find ones
self beggar all Of a sudden"
Enterprising hostesses made great at
| tempts to gather all parties in their draw
ing rooms With strategy worthy of a
better cause they Unanswered to invite
Philip de Mountford and Lord Radcliffe,
and Luke and Louisa-all to the same
dinner party-promising themselves and
their other guests subtle enjoyment at
sight of these puppets dancing to rousing
tunes, beside which the most moving
problem play would seem but tame en-
tertainment.
But Philip de Mountford = though as
much sought after now as Luke had been
in the past-declined to be made show
Of for the dedication Of bored society
women; he declined all invitations on his
own and Lord Radclyffe's behalf.
So people had to be content to watch
Luke and Louisa.
They were together at the Ducies' at
home There was a crush.- a Hungarian
band from Germany, q Russian singer
from Bayswater. a great many diamonds
and incessant gossip.
Luke de Mountford is here-and Miss
Harris. Have you seen them?
"Oh, yes! we met on the stairs and had
a long chat
''How do they seem?"
"Oh, quite happy.
'They don't care"
DO they mean to break off the engage
ment?"
Louisa Harris has nice fortune Of
her own
"And Lord Radcliffe will provide for
Luke
II don't think so. He practically turned
him out of the house, you know"
mot really?"
Il know it for a positive fact. My
| sister has just got a new butler, who left
Lord Radclyffes service the very day
Philip de Mountford first walked into the
house."
"Old Parker. I remember him."
HE says Lord Radcliffe turned all the
family out. bag and baggage. They were
so insolent to Philip"
"Then it's quite true?'
'"rhat this Philip Is the late Arthur de
Mountford's SOM"
"Quite true, I believe Lord Radcliffe
openly acknowledges it. He is satisfied
apparently"
$50 are the lawyers, understand"
ooh, how do you do. Miss Harris? So
| glad to see you looking so WE'LL"
This, very pointedly. as Louisa, per-
fectly gowned, smiling serenely, assembled
the broad staircase.
1,ox, hnA DIV
| ooh, no! Of course not. And how is Mr..
de Mountford?'
.'You can ask him yourself"
And Louisa passed on to make way for
same question were repeated ad infin-
| itum, until popular waltz, played by
the Hungarian gentlemen from Germany,
drew the fashionable crowd round the
musicians platform.
Then Luke and Louisa contrived to
make good their escape, and to reach the
| half landing above the heads Of numerous
young couples that adorned the stairs.
| The hum of voices, the noise of shrill
! laughter, and swish of skirts and fans
| Piles on the stairs were absorbed in their
| own little affairs; they were sitting out
here So that they might pursue their own
| flirtations.
| They spoke Of the fiat in Exhibition
road, and of the furniture that Louisa
had helped Edie to select.
There are only a few odds and ends
| to get now" Louisa was saying, coal
scuttles and waste-paper baskets: that
sort OF thing. hope you don't think that
| we have been extravagant. Edie. am
! afraid, had rather luxurious notions
Poor Edie!''
| '.Oh, I don't think she minds very
much. Life at Grosvenor Square in the
past month has not been over cheerful -
| Then. as Luke made no comment she
| continued In her own straightforward.
| matter-of-fact way the commonplace
woman facing the ordinary duties of life:
Now that the fiat is all In order, you
can all move in whenever you like and
2! then. Luke. you must begin to think of
! acLrself."
! -: you. Lou" he said. simply.
| think about me-"
There you are wrong. Lou, and you
must not talk like that. Our engagement
| must be officially broken off. Col. Harris
| has been too patient as it is"
| Father" she rejoined, docs not wish
| the engagement broken off,
j "All these people," he said. nodding In
| the direction Of the crowd below. will
expect some sort Of announcement"
| Let Them
Lou, you must take back your word Is
! How does one take back ones word.
Luke? Have you ever done It? I
/ shouldn't know how to-
| She looked at him straight, her eyes
brilliant in the glare Of the electric
| lamps not tear In them or in his, her
face immovable. lest Indifferent eyes hap
pened to be turned up to where these two
| interesting people sat. Only a CULVER
round the lips. a sign that passion pal