Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-15

want to be to him.
"Do you mean Mr. Vance? You haven't said any
thing about him for a long time.
Haven't 1?'
just when [ had begun to hope that something might
happen you ceased to mention him.
Laughing half Historically and smuggling against her
mother, Lucy asked, "What did you hope might hap
pen NOMINEE"
"You know shouldn't want you to get married just
for the sake of having somebody take of you but
it seemed to from what you used to say about
him that Mr.. Vance must be very nice. And you We
been trying to deceive me all these weeks! But you
haven't. have known all the time that something
coming
at wasn't nice of you to let go thinking was
keeping my all to myself when you had guessed
it. Do you think it was?
al have often wanted to talk to you about it; but
you seemed to wish to avoid the subject. You have
told anything about Mr.. Stirling, except
that he had wanted to have you discharged when ne
got back
at unknd of me to keep you in suspense, wasn't
it, Momme? But, come! You must get ready. L
want you to look sweet you can tonight.
When they had finished their preparations for the
expected caller, Lucy gazed with admiration at her
mother and said:
"If we only looked the least bit alike might be
mistaken for twin sisters Hark! There's the bell
You go and ask him in please. I'll be down soon
"But it will be awkward without you there to intro
duce us, Mrs Weston neryously protested :t
"Never mind, Lucy urged. "He will know who you
are, and you take him into the library Be sure to
call it the library when you take him into it. 1t sounds
50 and he might not ee0 Ea it nssa
IL
He's ringing again | haven't got my hair liked quite
to suit me-"
With her heart futtering wildly Margaret Weston
went down the front door; while Lucy instead OF has
tenng to earrange her hair fingered at the top OF the
stairs and listened. When she heard her mother open
ing the door she chung the ballster and leaned
far she might without being from below.
There silence for moment after the door had been
opened Then Lucy heard her mother utter little cry,
while David Stirling exclaimed
Margaret"
Having stolen softly into her room, Lucy flung
herself upon the bed and lay for long time, looking
up at the ceiling At last when she had ceased to fear
that her mother would to her to the IL
brary, she buried her face pillow and began to cry
not knowing caring why.
DAVID STIRLING was late in reaching his office the
- next morning, and while Lucy sat at her desk think
ing of the wonderful story that she had heard from her
MOTHER the general manager entered the room. He
looked PALE and his manner nervous. The glad
of Lucys expression and the smile with which she
greeted him did not to have the least tendency to
put him at his
al thought Mr. Stirling was here, he stammered.
am afraid we shall have to reprmand him for neg
lecting his duties, - Lucy replied.
Her Jest wasted upon the general manager, who
looked he doubted that he had understood her
recty.
"Shall tell him when he that you wish to see
him." she asked.
No. he fastened to reply, 81 don't want to see him
that is there's no hurry"
He had crossed to her desk and was leaning against
it, looking down at her. For moment she permitted
him gaze into the tender depths of her eyes, then her
long lashes lowered and she pretended to become
interested in something that seemed to be amss with
g" suppose he has stopped somewhere to buy flowers"
Frederick Vance said little bitterly.
mo, | don't think So" she answered "At least, if
he has, he will not bring them here"
The general manager leaned over the desk so that
Lucy could not avoid looking into his face "Why do
you think he will bring them here?" he asked. "He
brought bunch of here yesterday
q" great deal has happened since yesterday, she said
making effort to avoid his gaze, which was gravely