Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-18

quietly, they Will Strengthen out little.
You must pretend that am your father
or very elderly brother might be better:
at any rate one who desires most earnestly
to help YOU"
The sobs had quite ceased "What-
what was the question:" came a small,
muff1ed voice out of the depths
ut was of merely relative Importance
replied Charters slowly. Il wanted to ask
you if you were going to Elizabeth's house
party for young Spencer next Saturday; and
if you wouldn't take place in my motor if
you were. The little blind Love shivered and
cringed; but Charters voice was steady.
@Oh!" said Priscilla family. @Oh!' And
she sat up suddenly, very straight indeed,
and stared at Charters with eyes cleaning
with amazement behind their veil of tears.
al am sorry" Her voice shook, in spite
of her efforts to control it. "You see, have
been crying SO dreadfully hard inside of me
that it was bound to come through some
what | thought! But it was disgraceful of
me. Are-are you going to scold me?'
Charters locked his hands behind him, so
that he would not take the little figure poised
on the edge of the chair into his arms, and
kiss away the tears from the curling lashes,
and the tremor from the curling lips and the
pallor from the small, tear-drenched face.
NO. he denied TRANQUILITY, Il am not
going to scold you. You would be rather
difficult person to scold. And-I am very
sorry, you know Can't help?"
Nobody can help whispered Priscilla.
Nobody, nobody Then she caught her
breath with another of those valiant smiles
ooh, poor thing, l frightened you badly
didn't 1? But you frightened me too, you
see l thought dreadful thoughts!'
pressive small hands. Twill you really be
nv brother-my really truly brothere
That would be my dreams. | have always
been so lonely!' The rebellious mouth quiv-
cred; but was speedily brought into subjec-
ton. @You did mean it, didn't you? You
weren't lust trying to make me stop crying?
mo-" said the man. Il did mean it..
aAh, how beautiful" cried Priscilla joy
ousy Il am glad that put on my mourn
ing frock-I am glad that cried-1 am glad
that was SO wicked and SO silly! Do you
hear, l am glad?'
@Are you SO glad?' asked Charters.
$50 glad.' nodded Priscilla. Because,
you see, just now | am lonelier than ever,
and want terribly to have people like me,
and you wouldn't pretend that you were
my brother if you didn't like me a great
deal, would you?'
@May l call you Casar?" asked Priscilla
demurely Il would feel comfortabler if |
could call you Caesar"
@As your brother think l may sanction
your calling me Caesar"
1Deay Cesar" laughed Priscilla audacious-
ly. @Oh, love you for liking me when was
so lonely!" She sprang up suddenly, her small
face flushed and brilliant, her eyes burning
feverishly, her hands twisting nervously at
the black bordered handkerchief. ats very
hot in here, isn't it? Oh, here's job
"Job?"
MY unhappy DOLL" She thrust it at him,
~ laughing little excitedly. @You see,
all the sawdust has leaked out of her, poor
thing, and she's dressed in black too. | tell
her everything, and she stands it beautifully.
She's much more patient than Job, really
Charters looked at the stoGd pink and
white face, and f1axen curls, and the blue
china eyes, and for minute the DID, sar-
donic smile fitted across his face.
"She looks as stupid as most patient peo-
pie he remarked as he handed her back.
"Yes,' said Priscilla; but she clasped the
maligned Job to her heart. "Only it is much
better when you can tell someone else howsor-
ry you are for yourself, even if she is stupid.
Charters looked down at the somber little