Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-21

that COINS its own gold from the brown ore
of life. Between the acts, Don murmured
bits of grave criticisms and comment. The
girl blushed when he mentioned that he had
read the book, "Ben Hur,' and thought it
great; she blushed when he remarked that
he had seen this actors portrait in a New
York paper and read jolly good account
of the manner in which the play was staged;
though why she should have done so, let the
heartless, who can analyze the coloring of a
flower or the bloom upon a grape, explain.
The time passed, lovely, animated vision
A t last they were walking on clouds down
= the aisle, among the smiling we'll
dressed people, and everybody was looking
with eyes of love at Champe. Was that
Barty Hazelton approaching with SO deter
mined an air? Did he think to have an in
PRODUCTION to Champe? What besotted
among the boys And he could put curve
on a baseball that But a candidate for
Champe's acquaintance? Well, Don guessed
not
He was glad to shut her in the carriage
where he had her all to himself. She gathered
the big white wrap about her and shivered,
in sheer nervous rapture. Eagerly misun-
derstanding, Don snatched off his overcoat,
and swallowed UP the pink and white in its
coy folds. The stiff sleeves rebelled, and
his arm remained about her shoulders-to
hold the coat. Bending her head shyly, her
cheek brushed his hand.
"Oh-I-I beg pardon she breathed,
moving from the clinging hand and mad
vertently sinking against broadcloth Shout
der. Instantly the arm around her frightened.
"You-you re not mad at me?" whispered
Don in time honored formula. How many
dear, dead women have been wooed with
that sacred emblem-sentence?
ooh, no-oh, no!' she whispered and sat
very still, lest he imagine that she shrank
from him in unkindness.
Then no more was said. He was intent on
sustaining the coat in place, she engrossed
in the problem of his arm and the hand al
most beneath her chin. 1t seemed to the
two that they sat thus long time, in a
silence sweet but terrifying. Dear children,
they scarcely dared entertain this wonderful
guest that had settled down in their hearts,
preening its bright feathers, looking about
with glowing eyes, softly stretching strong
oh, strong!-wings, whose touch set both
hearts thrilling and vibrating almost to pain,
and made them strangely light. The wheels
whirred like rims of silver.
"What makes him drive SO fast?" COM
planned Don.
"We're almost there" she sighed.
"Are you sorry-Champe?"
Her dropping brought the warm, soft chin
full into his palm.
"Look at e-dear-Champe," he muir
INJURED brokenly. The great, dark, liquid
eyes flashed full into his. Her exquisite,
tremulous mouth was raised, and the boys
lips, no less tremulous, met it. For one long
moment there was nothing in life but this.
Don held all his world to him, with that
strong young arm; Champe poured out her
heart in rapture of worship that acclaimed
him its king. But presently she drew back
little, remembering girls teachings.
ooh, Don-we-you-you mustn't!' she
breathed confusedly; and upon the instant
a black face, wearing a deprecating smile,
announced at the little window:
@Dis yo' corner, Marse DON"
With wild start, both young creatures
sat erect The carriage halted, and they got
out. The dream still held them. Silently
they walked together round the corner, with
the street lamp shining on the light crust of
snow that notified grass and. bushes. And
there before the old shop they paused in dis
may The front windows glared with light
and on the blind of one they got the sill
houette of familiar, sharp-nosed profile.
Their dream lay shattered about them.
ION looked at the frightened girl, and
e