Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-11

ness the rocking and the wet huryng blindness, all of
sudden something happened something have specu-
lated about, often enough. But OH the reality, how
different it was!
HENRY kissed me! His lips, through the icy wetness
IL of the sea water burned me like the touch of melted
wax; and the heat through in the strangest
way l felt myself all and quvery, not cold any
Oh, it was lovely, lovely, when Henry kissed me!
Precious he said precious little child love you
oh love you!'
It was strange and sweet too to see him so excited
Yes for this time at least, all his wonderful self
mand gone. He just repeated the same words over
and over again, and the arm he held with gripped
tightly that almost lost the little breath that
the salt water had left But didn't need to breathe,
any more than I needed to think. My head began to
whirl, felt myself falling falling through delicious
kind of Paradise, with Victor and all the miserable
bothers of life forgotten forever, and Henrys cheek
warm and wet against mine. Then all of sudden
came big that washed completely over the two
of us, and felt myself drowning. 1 cutched Henry
with all my force-but my poor force, what was it,
the strength to say goodby The next minute
was gone.
WHERE? Where was Lii in that interval, when the
w light went out and all was silent? If she ever
knew most certainly she had forgotten before she came
back And-oh, she came back unwlingy!
A knife through my lungs, dreadful weight on my
chest, hands that rubbed and rolled and teased me
though for pure spite-that was the first thing knew
tried to tell them to leave alone; but my voice
wouldn't come. After ALL what the of resisting?
So just resigned myself while the hands tor
menting me-oh, for infinite hours, endlessly! Then
gradually, uncertainty, began to feel happy. The
pains left me- my breath began softly
pleasure to draw it. tried to open my eyes, but the
lids very heavy, and it really didn't seem to be
worth so much trouble So lay in kind of torpor,
just thinking how lovely and the blankets
Then heard voices, all blurred and distant 1t didn't
worth while, taking the trouble to sten but just
the it seemed quite natural to hear again the last
voice l had heard before going away.
Henry saying, "What did the doctor say?"
lady's voice answered hm-such a sweet voice,
,nl hQr Un,fo of
danger A little sleep is all that's needed. And Mr..
Cobb"
Henry's voice interrupted, 50 violent was glad to
keep my eyes shut, "Confound the brute! He's all
right-don't think was worrying about hm!" Then
his voice changed He whispered softly that could
barely hear him, allow soundly she sleeps! Look,
Mother did you in your life anything per-
fectly beautiful"
There was silence for moment; then I heard the
lady's voice. in the barest breath, "My poor boy"
CHAPTER XII.
TT was some hours later, when sitting up in bed
and drinking some nice hot chocolate that heard
the lady's voice again But this time her too,
rather short and stout but with profile like statue
and the most beautifully unduiated white hair. She
spoke to kindly about the wild risk her had
taken and how terrified she had been; but said that
she glad and proud of him. especially after she
had Then she smiled at me- and suddenly
der her calm grace of | noticed the ripple of
concealed excitement.
$50 it not only very charming young lady, but
very famous one that my boy had the honor of res
cuing' she said. "For the last month l believe the
papers have talked of little else but Mademosele de
Vauquieres de Clugny."
She smiled again at me. And for the first time
realized that Mrs. Cobbs campaign of newspaper
publicity which seemed vulgar and bizarre to my
European ideas, might seem equally so to the other
Americans Americans, that is, like Mrs. Stuart
felt myself turning crirnson but could not deny my
hostess and future mother in law by apoogzng for her.
SO remained silent.
Il have not the pleasure of knowing your aunt the
Duchess of Porthaven" went Mrs Stuart. at is in
| crossed Atlantic
the French side of your family"
She stretched hand