Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-09


on the way uptown, and at three was stand
ing at the door of the Challoner house.
The butler showed Markham into the
drawing room and took his card. He did not
know whether Miss Challoner was in or not;
but he would see.
When she appeared in the doorway few
moments later he wondered if he knew her at
all She was dressed for afternoon in some
clinging dark stuff which made her figure
slim almost to the point of thinness. She
wore small hat with a small plume, and
seemed to have gained in stature. Her face
was paler. and her modulated voice and the
studied gesture as she offered him her hand
did more to convince him that things were
not as they should be.
$50 good of you to come, Mr.. Markham"
he heard her saying coolly. Il was wondering
if I'd have the pleasure of seeing you here
He stood uncertainty at the point of seiz-
ing her in his arms when he was made aware
of her generalization. The formality of her
politeness was like a blow between the eyes,
and he peered blindly into her face in vain
for some sign of the girl he knew.
wont you sit down." she asked, and
du1nbly he sat. 81 hear you were in Nor
mandy she went on smoothly. "Did you
have good summer? You did leave us rather
abruptly at Westport, didn't you2 But then
YOU know of course | understood that
HERMIA,' he broke in in low voice,
: "what has happened to you? Why
didn't you answer my letters? I've been near
~ mad with anxiety" He leaned forward
toward her, the words falling in a torrent.
But she only examined him curiously,
puzzled wrinkle at her brows wing with the
set smile she still wore. "Your letters, Mr..
NJ 81 rIn ,,,c
mean the note about the sketch of Thimble
Islando l did reply, didn't |? 1t was aw-
fully nice"
Great Heavens!" he exclaimed, rising.
Haven't you punished me enough now,
without this with wave of his hand, "this
extravaganza? Haven't paid? l searched
Paris high and low for you, Hernia, haunted
your bankers and the hotel where you had
been stopping, returning here only at the
moment when my engagements in New York
made it necessary Has it been kind of you,
or just, to ignore my letters and leave me all
these weeks in anxiety and ignorance? I've
missed you horribly, and feared nameless
things, you had forgotten me, that
you wanted everything forgotten
As he came forward she rose and took
step toward an inner room, her eyes still mar
rowed and quizzical, watching him carefully.
Hernia -Hermia!" He stopped, the ten
sion breaking in a laugh. ooh, you want to
punish me, of course. Don't you think
you've paid me well already? See! I'm
penitent. What do you want? Shall | go
down on my knees to you? have been on
my knees to you for weeks-you must have
known it. My letters"
He paused and then stopped, puzzled; for
she had not moved, and her gaze surveyed
him, coolly critical.
"You got my letters?" he asked anxiously.
She was silent.
give written you every day since you left
me-poured my heart out to you. You
didn't get them? Oh, Hernia, you must
have known what life has been without you!
Do you think | could forget what | read in
your eyes that day in the forest? Could you
forget what you wrote there2 Only your
lips refused me. Even when they refused
me- they were warm with my kisses. They
were mine, as you were, body and soul. You
loved me, Hernia the first These
flimsy barriers you're raising, I'll break them
down take you-s
As he approached, she reached the cur
tains, one hand appraised.
you're dreaming, Mr.. Markham,s she
said distinctly. Il haven't the least idea
what you're talking about
"You love me" he Stammered.
ZIP"
Her laughter checked him effectually. He
stood, his full gesture of entreaty frozen into