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

first. | wanted to keep it from you, be-
cause | didn't want to make you unhappy,
because l wanted you herein Vagabondia.
When the chance came to take YOU | well
coined it. though | knew | was doing you
a wrong. | wanted to meet you on even
terms, away from the reek of your fash
ionable set, to see the woman IN you bud
and blossom under the open skies away
from the dollhouse plants of your vicious
circle. Even there at Wake Robin l want
ed to tear you away from them. They
were not your kind. In the end you
would have been the same as they. That
was the pity of it. Perhaps it was pity that
first taught me how much you were to me,
how much you were worth saving from your
SELF 1t seemed impossible. | was nothing
to you then,-less than | am nova queer
sort of amphibious beast that had left its
more familiar element and taken to walks
abroad among the elect of the earth. But
I loved you then-Hermia, | love you now,
and I've told you so. | hadn't meant to;
but I'm not sorry. I'm glad that you know
it, even though your smiles derlde me, even
though know I've spoiled your idyl here
and made a mockery of my own Fools
Paradise!"
Her head was lowered now, and he could
not see her eyes, but he was sure they must
be still laughing at him. When he had
finished he released her and turned away.
TOMORROW we shall be in Verneuil,"
he said quietly. IL will give you money
to buy clothes and put you on the train for
Paris"
There was long silence, broken by the
sound of Pere Guegou's chickens Tapping to
their roosting bars. The saffron heavens
4 4 he of
the village campanile bell tolled solernnly
the strokes of Philidor's doom. He did not
see her face. He had not dared to look at it.
But when the bell stopped ringing Hernia's
voice was speaking softly.
"Do you want me to 60, Phlidor?"
Her tone still Knocked, and he did not turn
toward her. mo; but you had BETTER he
murmured.
Suppose refused to go to Paris? What
would you do?'
He did not reply.
"Could you treat me so? Is it my fault
that you-you fell in love with me? I'm not
responsible for that, am II | didn't make
YOU do it, did L? Would you have me give
up all this? Think a moment, Philidor!
Wouldn't it be cruel of you, after letting me
be what am, after letting me know what |
can be, after giving me an ego, an 1nd1vldu-
alitv, and making me a success IN lite, to
send me back to Paris to be mere nonen-
THY? You couldn't! I'll not go!' Her
voice, half mocking half tender, rose at the
end in a note of stubbornness.
"Of course you will do as you please, he
muttered.
He felt rather than heard her coming
toward him.
"Don't be cross with me, she pleaded.
I'll don't want-want to go away-from
this-from vol Philidorn
He turned quickly; but she thrust out her
hand with frank gesture that he could not
misinterpret.
"You're the best friend l have in the
world she said
He took her hand in both of his and held
it a moment. "That's something, he mutt
tered. "I'll try to be-to deserve your faith
in me-
He looked so woebegone that her heart
went out to him; but she only laughed
gaily. you'll not be rid of me so easily,
Monsieur. I'm not going, do you hear?'
He shrugged and smiled.
@Therel" she smiled. al knew you
wouldn't refuse me. You're an angel, Phil
dor, and shall reward you'll
She touched Pere Guegou's blossom to
her lips, then put it deity into the lapel of
his coat.
n