Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-25
, MUST

vented, r. CODD,
0HS rely on you to explain them all to
| hear you're extraordinarily
clever at that sort of thing"
Victor bristling with gratifed vanity protested him
self quite willing the lady teacher. So she in
vited three others to accompany then-and she
managed we'll that before knew it Victor was holding
forth to attentive audience of girls at end of
long, dmly lit gallery, and Henry and were examining
Sudanese JeWery at the other
Henry looked at coldly, and my heart sank. you
seemed very well entertained at dinner Mademoselle,
he said.
All! understood! He was jealous jealous of Vic
tori burst into unsteady laughter Il was trying to
persuade hrn-to refuse to marry me, | said.
He drew long BREATH and saw by his face that he
wanted take in his arms, as he had done that day
in the water. The blood my head felt all gddy
and light and happy-oh, wckedly percngly happy!
We smiled at each other.
I'm ridiculous, forgive me- he said 4but somehow,
to you with that fellow Listen, Lili!' he inter-
rupted himself hurriedy. "Wehave only few moments
to speak together and much be said @You know what
1 feel toward you-don't you? These days that you
have been my mothers guest, have tried to respect
you and your situation as another man promised wife.
It's been tough struggle; but I've kept my mouth
shut-haven't 1? Haven't l? Look at this pendant!
The carving of these turquoses is considered very
markable.'
For moment, as the conversation at the other end
of the hall subsidized. he thrust large lump of silver
with wandering finger. All! to be Henry, to see
his face and hear his voice. to speak with him at last
heart open to heart!
But tonight Lii my mother has come to me with
the most extraordinary story-the amazing! Lis
teni Have | understood it rightly? Is it in the
first place that Mother knew your family long ago in
France, and that you to America with the single
object of finding herr"
All my family Even to this of hers, she had not
spoken of Papa. No, the dear longdead past, saw,
remain forever secret between Harriet and
Somehow the thought, striking through the confusion
of the moment, drew me closer to her, in spirit
even than to her Ali the DEAR dear friends that
tonight must leave forever
listen, Lii. And is it true also that you marry
ing this fellow Cobb only on account of compact made
with his mother before your arrival at New York; that
if you could not find u.s. your friends, you would
the house of Mrs. Cobb; that she should give you her
protection and supply your needs and that in turn
felt my face burn with shame. How ugly it sounded,
our bargain, how sordid thus stated by the person
whose respect wanted, than anyone elses in the
world!
Eyes answered feebly, forcing myself to tell the
TRUTH shat understanding. But please don't
think too badly of me for consentng to it. You see,
had been brought up to ideas of marriage very different
from those have here you other Americans. Oh,
I've changed much I've learned so much since I've
been here in Amerca But then it seemed quite nat
ura and duty BESIDES to accept the husband picked
out for me by older and cleverer than l. To
be sure had never seen him; but, the other hand,
he willing to take me without of dowry. That
my great difficulty after all You see, poor Papa
had misfortunes before he ded-and there was before
New York, not knowing single soul, with Genevleve
my back and only five hundred francs in the whole
world!"
"Poor little girl" Henrys voice actually shook and
his eyes wereoh kind he looked at me, but with
3Poor beautiful little thing! After all, you might have
fallen into worse hands than Mrs. Cobbs But God
knows, hers were bad enough Look here-this infa-
nous compact you are sure it was made before your
arrival at New York;"
at was made on the sea-in the harbor, before we
landed l began to tremble-what coming now?
"But the steamer, mean. The conditions were
explained to you you had given your promise asserting