Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-01
THE EVENING STORY.
A Stormy Night.
tcopyrignt, 1919 BY ". werner.)

Copyright 1913, BY ". wener)
Above the sound of the wind lashing
tho avenue trees and the rain deluging
the roof. Lilias heard the sound OF
hurrying footstep. She sprang from her
chair and ran into the hall Her hsart
was beating fast Did she look all hight?
Was hsr hair done in this new way quite
a. becomiAg7 And would he like her
dress? She smoothed q bit Of lace walt
Ing. At last she became convinced that
the sound Of the footstep had passed. 1t
had not been his. He was not coming
yeti
She returned to the parlor and sat down,
again disappointed, but still hopeful
About her the house was very still. In
the next room beyond the folding doors
her Gather and mother were playing
whist Upstairs her younger sister. Char
lotte, was curled UP on the bed reading
a novel. It was q bad night, and yet
not SO bad but that q lover would find his
way through 1t to the girl Of his heart
She was the girl Of his heart she be-
Meved.
She leaned back in her chair. He had
promised to come and she wanted him:
She had q new song to sing to him and
chicken to cream In the chafng disn.
Everything was just an 1t should be, ex-
cept the fact that he was not there.
She had loved him for long time. Be-
fore she had known that she loved him
the sound Of his name thrilled her. Eric
Knight No man had ever been SO ap-
propriately named, she thought When
she looked at him she felt her heart rise
In rapture He was SO big, 80 blond. SO
strong. Such q man never knew fear or
disloyalty or meanness. She trusted him
utterly.
But why didn't he come? 1t was now
some time since she had heard that last
step go past She got up and went to the
window and peered out into the black
ness which the corner arc light iiluminat-
In sight. The street was deserted. She
sighed deeply and started, for the merct-
less clock In the next room struck nine.
Nine o'clock! Why. he was never SO
suppose he had been hurt upon the way
by falling branch, She was ready to
pray for his safety when the telephone
bell rang In the next room. She heard
her faith u rise and go to answer it Dr.
rectly he came to the folding doors. push
ed them apart and looked at her. He was
Q little, shabby man. not at all like noble.
splendid Eric knight. Lilias often Won
dered how her really handsome mother
could have loved him She was certain
cant. Az 3 father he did very we'll, to be
sure. But fancy him a lover!
ILL.," he said, somebody wants you
at the phone
She felt vexed and disturbed. She was
quite certain she knew who wanted her.
It was Elizabeth Wilson. with some triv-
ial bit Of gossip on her tongue. She went
to the phone. "What do you want, Eliza
beth7" she demanded.
The reply was 80 astonishing that she
nearly dropped the receiver.
Whom do you take me for? This 10
Eric. Say. Llias. I m not coming over
tonight You sea- we've got company.
and then it's so rotten bad out I'm
tired. anyway. Had a heavy day. I'm
awfully sorry. IAlias. I know you were
expecting me-
Lilias laughed briefly. ooh, no. indeed.
I didn't dream Of your coming"
''What7 After said I would7 Oh,
come now! You've more faith in me than
that. I'm sorry, Liias. but you see its
just as I said: WowI Hear that wtndr"
.Lilias heard not the wind. but young.
very merry voices, which seemed to be
In the same room with Eric, She heard
also his gently reproachful ''GirIs" as a
burst Of laughter interrupted his message.
With q curt GOOD nightv' she hung up
the receiver. Her cheeks were crimson.