Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-09

was opened A footman helped the
stranger on with coat and hat. Then the
street door banged to again. and once
more the house lapsed into silence and
gloom.
II think 1 had better go now
Louisa. rose and Luke said in matter
of-fact tones:
''Ill put you into cab.
mo-" she said, Il prefer to walk. l
am going Straight back to the Lansham.
night?''
YES" he said, Just to see you
You'll know more by then"
II shall know all there is to know"
Luke" she said. you are not afraid %
1t was the second time she had put the
question to him. but this time its purport
was a very different one. He understood
it. nevertheless. for he replied, simply:
'Only for you
why for me?"
world to me-and a man must feel little
afraid when he thinks he may lose the
world
mot me, Luke she said,. you would
not lose me-whatever happened
Let me get you a cab"
He was English, you see. and could not
manage to say anything just then. The
fioodgateS of sentiment might burst
asunder now with the slightest word ut
tered that was not strictly commonplace.
him as she did. 1t never occurred to her
to think that he was Indifferent. Nay,
more! his sudden transition from senti-
ment to the calling of a cab-from senti-
ment to the trivialities of life pleased her
In its very essence Of incongruity.
II said 1 would walk" she reminded
him, smiling.
Then she gave him her hand. 1t was
still gloveless and he took it in his. turn
ing the palm upward SO that he might
hrDv.x hi Halt ~,
depths. His kiss almost scalded her flesh,
his lips We're burning hot. Passion held
in check will consume with inward fire.
while its expression often cools like the
Nereid's embrace
He went to the door with her and
watched her slender, trim figure walking
rapidly away until 1t disappeared round
the corner Of the square.
When he turned back into the hall he
found himself face to face with Lord
Radcliffe. Not Uncle Rabbit an alto
gether different man, an old man now
with the cynical lines round the mouth
accentuated and deepened into burrows,
the eyes hollow and colorless. the Shout
ders bent as If under an unbearable load.
Uncle Rad said Luke. speaking very
gently, forcing his voice to betray MOTH
ing Of anxiety or surprise, ''can 1 do
anything for your
But even at sight of bis nephew. of the
man who had hitherto always succeeded
III ny Ills NcIy pTtseHCe every
cloud on the misanthropes brow, even at
sight Of him Lord Radcliffe seemed to
shrink within himself, his face became
almost ashen in its pallor, and lines of
cruel hardness quite disfigured his mouth.
Il want to be alone today" he said.
dryly. Tell them to send me up some
tea in the afternoon. I'll go to my room
now-I shan't want any dinner
But. SIR won't YOU
II want to be alone today" the old
man reiterated, tonelessly, land to be left
alone"
Very we'll, SIR.
Lord Radcliffe walked slowly toward
the staircase. Luke-his heart torn with
anxiety and sorrow-saw how heavy was
the old mans step, how listless his move
ments. The younger mans instinct drew
him instantly to the side of the elder
He placed an affectionate hand on his
uncles shoulder.
"Uncle Rad" he said. appealingly
'can't do anything for your"
Lord Radcliffe turned, and for a mo-
ment his eyes sOftened as they rested on
the face he loved SO well. His wrinkled
hand sought the firm, young one which
fingered on his shoulder. But lie did not
take it, only put it gently aside, then
said. quietly:
NO. my boy. there's nothing you can
do. except to leave me alone
Then he went upstairs and shut him.
self up in his own room, and Luke saw
him no more that day.