Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-09


even for a moment; for he loved her, wanted
her. surely. The snow-capped heights are
inspiring; but far more companionable is
the brook that sparkles in the valley.
Its rather dull. isn't it," asked Miss
Norton of the Thornhill girl. By the side of
the taller woman she seemed slight. almost
childish. Have YOU seen the pictures of
the Admiral, Miss Thornhill? Looking at
them is our one diversion.
Il do not care to see them thank you,
Mvra Thornhill replied, moving toward the
stairs. He is a very dear friend of my
father" She passed up and out of sight.
Miss Norton turned away from the fire,
and Magee rose hastily to follow. He stood
close behind her, gazing down at her golden
hair shlnmerlng in the dark
I've just been thinking" he said lightly,
what an absolutely ridiculous figure | must
be in Your eyes, buzzing round and round
like bee in bottle, and getting nowhere at
all Listen-no one has left the inn. While
they stay, there's hope. Am | not to have
one more chance-a chance to prove to you
how much ! care?"
She turned, and even in the dusk he saw
that her eyes were wet. "Oh, don't know,
| don't know" she whispered. I'm not
angry any more. I'm just-at sea- don't
know what to think, what to do. Why try
any longer? think I'll go away-and give
up.
You mustn't do that" urged Magee.
They came back into the freight. Miss
Thornhill has Just informed me she. knows
who had the package.
"Indeed." said the girl calmly; but her
face had flushed.
Il didn't let her tell me- of course"
why not?@ On, how maddening women
could be,
WHY not?" N1agee's tone was hurt.
Because couldn't use her information in
getting the money for YOU
You are still going to get the money for
me- Maddenlng, certainly, as rough
edged collar.
"Of-" Magee began, but caught himself.
No, he would pirate no more of going to-
III not ask you to believe it., he said,
until bring it to you and place it in your
hand
She turned her face slowly to his. a
wonder?" she said IL wonder?'
The freight fell on her lips, her hair, her
eyes, and Magee knew that his selfish bach
elOrhood was at an end. Hitherto marriage
had been to him the picture drawn by the
pathetic, eXiled master: There are no more
pleasant bVpaths where YOU may loltcr;
but the road lies long and straight and dusty
70 the grave What if it were so?- With
the hand of girl like this in his, what if the
pleasant bypaths of his solitude did bear
hereafter the NO Thoroughfare" sign
Long the road might be, and he would re-
joice in its length; dusty perhaps, but her
smile through the dust would make it all
worth while. He stopped to her
Give me, please he said, "the benefit of
the doubt 1t was poor speech compared
TO what was in his heart; but Billy Magee
was rapidly learning that most of the pretty
speeches went with puppets who could not
feel.
BLAND and Max came in from a brisl,
- walk on the veranda. The Mayor of
Reuton, who had been doing near the desk,
stirred.
Great air up here. remarked Max, rub
bing his hands before the fire. Ought to be
pumped down into the region of the white
lights. Il sure would stir things up"
1T would put out the lights at ten P NJ,
answered Magee, land inculcatc other
wholesome habits OF living disastrous to the
restaurant imprcSariOs
Miss Norton rose and assembled the stairs.
Still the protesting Alagee was at her heels.
At the head of the stair she turned.
You shall have your final chance" she
said The Mayor, Max, and Bland are