Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-10

night You'll meet the train, l sup
pose? Very well. Goodbye"
He hung up the receiver. pushed the
instrument from him and turned te
Hepburn
What can / do for youo" he said
briskly.
Hello. Jack" said Hepburn with q
smile.
Macarthur's eyes opened wide and
his breath stopped as he gripped the
arms of his chair and leaned suddenly
forward
MY God, Arthur" he said Where
we thought you were dead-the ma
tiveS-
His face was gray and lines gathered
about his mouth IS he gazed- Then
he rose quickly and erasped his friend
by the hand.
IT'S too good to be true, old man
IL can't believe it yet. Give me time
1t is your
He searched Hepburn's face and the
yes" he said rive come back
Jack"
1t might have been his fancy. but
he thought a cloud settled on Macar-
thurs face as the certainty came home
to him.
How is Eleanor" he asked.
Macarthur dropped his hand. and they
sat down again.
Well" he answered. "Have you
written herr"
the circumstances. [ haven't heard for
two years, you know. l thought it bet
ter not"
Tell me about it, Arthur. Your ma
lives swore they saw you die
Briefly Hepburn narrated his expert
ences. and at times his friend seemed
to listen, while a times his thoughts
seemed otherwhere. Once his nand went
out to a letter on the desk He picked
il up, tore it into bits and dropped it
finished there was silence for q mo-
ment, and when he spoke again there
had come change in his voice.
Jack" he said, there's no use dis
semDiing. You know how things were
with us. Had l better go to herr
Macarthur searched his face with
burning eyes. He found his task hard
of course you will go TO her." he
said presently.
Hepburn rose. and walking TO the win
dow, stood looking out with his back
to his friend
Il understand there's some one else,
Jack he said.
Macarthur's lips opened twice before
he spoke.
Who told you that?" he asked
Il heard it accidentally coming over"
And you believed it?''
Hepburn wheeled suddenly and came
back to the desk.
Il couldn't blame her, Jack" he said
7 treated her like d brute. If she's
forgotten me, It's ms fault. But, my
God. man. l want another chance. That's
what | came back for l want another
chance"
She won't refuse you, Arthur" said
Macarthur quietly.
It's not that" cried Hepburn. Don't
YOU see? If this-other man can make her
happy, and-I can't. perhaps I'd better
not see her Perhaps I'd better go away
at once"
Macarthur turned to the window. Be
fore his mind lay a dreariness of untold
years from which he could see 40 es-
cape He might deceive the husband
and send him away, but he could net
deceive the wife. The very trust she
had in him made that impossible All
his towers Of hope were crumbling into
ruins as he turned and faced his friend
There is no other, Arthur, he said
son to know that
There was that in his tone and the
look OF his eye that suddenly opened
out the truth to Hepburn's comprehen-
sion. There was silence for a moment
then Hepburn spoke.
II might have known" he said. There
was no resentment in his voice. Rather
an unilnpassioned statement of facts
"Of course it would be you, Jack.
don't blame you or her, butt mus,
think what | shall do
He rose as il to go without further
words, but Macarthur stopped him.
sit down, Arthur he laid in 8
quiet voice. There's more to be said
Hepburn looked at him inquiringly and
resumed his seat.
You're going TOO fast" went on Mac.
arthur. Nov. listen. We've always beer
| friends and this mustn't come between
us. ] might lie to you and send yoL
away again, but 1t wouldn't help me
I'd have to tell her the truth and yoy
know that would end it, SO far as In
/ concerned
But you miss my viewpoint sale