Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-19

have ever belonged, and he has treated
me as he would have treated one of those
others-his companions for the moment.
have occupied myself here in work of
different sorts. / have tried in my way
to do good among women less happy,
even, than |. Wherever l went I saw
that every woman who has sinned. every
woman who is miserable, every woman
who has become a blot upon the earth,
is what she is by reason Of mans selfish
ness. Can you wonder that l have grown
a little bitter?"
II wonder at nothing in the woman who
has been Falkenberg's wife," Julien re-
piled. HE seems to me the most un-'
scrupulous person who ever breathed.
Yet. in his way he is marvelously at
tractive.''
''He is" she admitted Il fell in love
with him against my will. Directly my
reason interviewed the madness was over.
How old do>you think I am, Sir Julien?''
Julien was little startled.
How old?" he repeated
4 foolish question. of course" she con-
tinued. How could you be honest! l
am tWenty-nine years old. l believe that
l am the richest woman in Paris. 1 am
tired of being called brilliant and cynical,
of showing fortune hunters to the door,
of living my life in loneliness. Falken-
berg has sworn that If l take any steps
to make divorce possible l shall never
see my boy again. I have not seen him.
as it is, for nearly two years. The threat
Is losing its terrors. You are listening,
my friend?'
"Of course
She turned to the butler The other
servants had already left the ROOM
Bring coffee into the winter garden"
she ordered. Come. Sir Julien
She lit cigarette and threw it away
almost Immediately. Her eyes were
cleaning like stars. She laid her fingers
upon his arm as they passed out into the
perfumed air of the conservatory, and he
seemed to feel some touch Of the fire that
was burning in her veins. She swayed
little toward him. The color in her cheeks
was brilliant. Her bosom was rising and
falling quickly. She was splendfdly hand
some. nerved up to great things. woman
inspired by a purpose. Julien was afraid.
He, too, felt something Of the excitement
of the moment, but his brain seemed
numbed There was nothing he could say.
She threw herself back into a low chair
and drew him down to her side. With her
other hand she caught hold Of cluster
Of pink roses and pressed their cool bios
SONS to her cheek.
"Sir Julien" she murmured. IT have
looked so steadfastly into life, l have
strfven so hard to find a place there. I
have something to give. 1 do not come
empty handed. can place offerings upon
the altar of the great god. l have myself
my brains, such as they are, and the
golden key which unlocks the wonderful
doors. Can you wonder that l ask for
market place Of life. I have passed down
between the stalls and 1 am Inundated.
There Is no life, there Is no career upon
this world for a woman. 1t is strange
doctrine. perhaps. to preach in these days.
but I have searched and / know it to be
the truth. Nature meant woman for man.
and II she rebels there Is no seat for her
alone among the mighty places. Alone I
can win none OF the things I desire. You
see, I talk to you like this, markedly, be-
~ Nvd0 ~ rxyI1n
understand. You very nearly married q
dukes daughter and became a middle
class politician. Don't do It, Don't think
Of 1t any more. Julien. You were meant
for the great places. and think-I think
that l was meant to hold the torch to
light you there!'
Mime Christopher
She started at his tone. In the splendid
arrogance of her assured position, her
brilliant gifts, her almost inspired indi-
viduaIity, failure had never occurred to
her Even now she refused to read the
message in his set face.
You feel, perhaps she went on lean
ing toward him, that you are pledged to
Lady Anne. Dear Sir Julien. rub your
eyes! l want you to see-all the way to
will look nice at the head Of any ones
table She will read the papers and take
an intelligent interest in her husband
work. and ask him trtte and obvious
questions to prove that she understands
all about it. She will give you phenacetin
when you have q headache, she will fill
your house with the right sort Of people.
She will be very amiable and very salts
fled. She'll always read the debates, and
she'll sit up for you at night in pretty
dressing gown. And all the time the wall
will grow. brick by brick, and you will
look up to the skies and find them empty.
and listen for the music and hear none,
and a web will be spun about your heart,
and your brain will be clogged, and the
fine thoughts will go, and you'll never be
anything but a successful politician. You
know very we'll that all the paths to the
great pit of unhappiness are crowded with
men who have been successful in their
profession
her head little thrown back. her eyes
inviting him. He scrambled to his feet.
Still she held out her hands.
Wont you trust me?" she begged. BE
lieve me that know the way into the
great places. Julien"
"Listen!' he cried hoarsely. You have
offered me everything except your love:
Thank heaven you did not offer me that!
1 love Lady Anne
Everything except my love!" she ex-
claimed, with the first note Of trouble in
her tone. "Everything except my love!
Are you mad?"
II love Lady Anne he repeated, set
ting his teeth.
lHCy SIOOu l6ClilS OIlc dHOtAOT DIG
tore a handful of the blossoms from a
syringa tree and commenced crushing
them In her fingers. The sound of foot
steps scarcely disturbed her. The butler
appeared, followed by Lady Anne. The
former excused himself with a grave face.
Madame" he announced, the Prince
Won Falkenberg is here
Nine Christopher turned slowly around.
THE Prince Won Falkenberg? Where?"
"In the waiting room, madame"
he glance
toward Julien.
II come" she announced
Lady Anne had some letters in her
hand, which she handed to Julien. He
threw them hastily aside and drew her
suddenly into his arm and into the
shadow Of the giant PALM
Anne" he pleaded. mot because of
your mother, not because you would make
me a suitable wife. but because l love
you, will you marry me?'
He felt her relax In his arms.
JULIEN she murmured
Il didn't finish the sentence" he went
on-''tomorrow at the embassy"
Absurd
ITS the only way" he insisted, conf
IDENTIFY I'VE couldn't be married in Lon
don. All the tribe OF Harbord would
come and boo, and It would save no end
of gossip and bother when We got back.
Anne-I love you very much and 1 want
you just as soon as 1 can get your
.'Of course. II you put it like that" she
said. softly
"Well?''
This is the only frock 1 have
THE Rue de la Paix is at our gates"
he reminded her.
BE sensible she begged. You can't
- nh Do y-1C