Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-19

| bon den preserve me from the patient mani"
1t was clear that she meant to affront him,
and she succeeded admirably; for Philidor
| flushed to the brows. Then catching her in
his arms without more ado, he kissed her
| full on the lips.
@I'm no more patient than l should be,
he said
She flung away from him, pale and red by
| turns, struggling between anger and incom-
| prehension.
"Ohi' she stammered at last. "That you
conld!' She brushed the back of her hand
| across her lips, and then, her eyes blazing
at him, turned and walked rigidly on her
| way. He watched her a moment, his anger
cooling quickly, then caught the bride of
Clarissa, who had taken advantage of this
| interlude to browse by the wayside. Cupid
had fed!
Markham drove the beast before him and
strobe after, his eyes on the small figure that
had almost reached the turn in the road.
She walked with a quick stride, her head
| turning neither to the left nor right; but he
knew that her gaze, fixed upon the road be-
| fore her, still blazed with resentment. He
goaded the donkey into more rapid pace;
but try as he might he could not come up
| with her, and SO, giving up the chase, he let
Clarissa choose her own gait lighted pipe
| to compose his spirit, and followed 1eisurely
in the steps of outraged dignity.
| TT was not until she came to a crossroads
that she stopped and waited for him.
When he arrived with Clarissa, already
chastened and even prepared for humility,
she surprised him by smiling as though moth
ing had happened.
(which way, Philidor?" she asked.
He had already seen the towers of Yer
nerlil from the hilltops behind them, and in
dicated. I'm sorry, Herrnia," he said
softly. will you forgive me?"
| She shrugged. ooh, it's of no conse-
| quence. I've been kissed BEFORE she said.
His gaze was lowered, his jaw set. "You
provoked it,
@Did L? l know how you consider me. /
| did not believe you to be that kind of man.
| "What kind of man.
| "The man of promiscuous gallantries.'
"I'm not
She shrugged and turned away. @Your
record is against YOU.
He found no reply, and she laughed at
him.
@When l wish to be kissed" she said
brazenly, Il usually find way of letting
men know it..
@You are speaking heresies," he said
slowly "That is not true
at is the truth, John Markham! But
did not choose your companionship for that
purpose
mo, no! Don't!' he pleaded contritely
| 4Ive never thought that of you. We've
had code of our own, Hernia, all our own.
Last night you made me happy. dreamedof
you, Child-that you cared for me, and Il
She halted suddenly, her slight figure
barring the way, her eyes flashing furiotsly.
well have no more of that NONSENSE she
cried. "Do you hear? When l ask for love,
accomplishing, unselfish, / know where to
seek it. She reached up suddenly, snatched
Pere Guegou's faded blossom from his but
tonhole, and throwing it in the road ground
| it under her heel. "The order of the Golden
Rose is not for you, Monsieur Philidor!" she
finished, and before he was really aware of
the full extent of his disaster was again on
her way.
They entered Verneuil in procession,
Hernia in the lead, the donkey following,
and Philidor, now thoroughly disillusioned,
bringing up the rear. He was thinking
deeply, his gaze on the graceful lines of her
intolerant back, aware that she had paid
him in full for his ternerity, and wondering
in an ainless way how soon she would be
taking the train for Paris. He had done
what he could to atone; but some instinct
warned him against further contrition.