Evening star., 1912-01-14

l tend
NO. said Kent, and with such absolute,
| fiat finality that the other looked at him in
blank silence.
The silence was broken by tremendous
sigh. All eyes turned to Preston Jax, who
had risen and was leaning against the wall,
his chin jerking galvanically.
"Well?' said Kent
What about me?" asked the Star Master
| miserably.
Kent's fingers twitched at his earlobe
We'll, what about youo" he repeated.
What are you going to do with meo~
you? Oh. You go back to Irene" said
Kent, with his half smile. "That your SEN
| tence, if Mr.. Blair approves
The astrologer drew quick breath. The
light of a great relief softened his hard little
eyes. A startled look widened them as Mar
jorie Blair, her own trouble forgotten for the
moment, rose and went over to him. the
reflection of another's happiness shining in
ring glinted in her outstretched hand
"Take this" she said softly, "for your
Irene. May you be very, very happy to-
gether!'
For the space of five seconds Preston JaX's
chin was motionless. Then minor cata-
ClySm convulsed it. Speech emerged from
that facial quake, in half-stutter, half
blubber, wholly absurd and laughter pro-
voking and heart moving.
"Wh-wh- -what'll l say? Whatll l do to
thank you, Ma am? I-I-I1l Just tell YOU
this. It's me for the straight and narrow
from now on. And if ever you or Professor
Kent or any of you want an AL, special
charted, extra-celestial star reading for self
or trends, you-yOu-yOu c-c-c-cOme--
He made a rush for the hallway. and the
Il Ia~ - l..
Il think, said Chester Kent softly, "that
lesson will last"
A S Marjorie Blair stood smiling, soft eyed
I at the door whence the overcome Star
Master had disappeared, Sedgwick started
to pass. With quick and unexpected tact,
Alexander Blair drew the Sheriff and the
lawyer aside, giving to the young people
their moment. She looked up at Sedgwick
with lifted eyebrows.
@Are you not going to speak to me?7 she
said sorrowfully.
What is there to say, except one thing?
And that may not say now!e
"No, no!H she whispered in alright. But
say you forgive me.
"You! For what?'
"For having believed, even for an instant
| what Father Blair said you were the
murderer
Sedgwick smiled. THAT is all past"
And you'll think of me at least kindly?"
"I'll think of you with every beat of my
heart, he said passionately.
Across her face passed the look of fairy
| wistfulness that was all her own. NO" she
| said, "it would be better-for both of US
that you should forgotten the time"
He leaned over her:
What shall assuage the unforgotten pain
Or teach the unforgetful to forget?"
he quoted very low.
"And yet she persisted, "it would be
easier, now that | am going away
"Going away! For long,
She nodded with compressed lips. Sedg-
wick turned very white.
"Oh, don't look like that- she faltered
Il can't bear it! Can't you see that, after
what has happened, must GO? must have
time to forget. There is SO much to forget.
Surely you can be patient-and trust?~
Again he smiled at her, with courage
shining through his pain that brought the
quick tears to her eyes. "Yes. l can wait
and trust-and love- Again he leaned to
her.
And think how she, far from me. with
like eyes
Sees through the untuneful the wingless
Skies
He drew her eyes to his own, held them