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


"Who shall it be? Cleofonte is married. Luigi? Ee
has temper"
"Marry mel You might do worse!" he said suddenly
Her face changed color, and the laughter died her
lips "You? Oh, Philidor!7 She turned away from
him and looked up at the sky.
al mean it." he repeated II think you had
better
He sought her hand, and she trembled under his
touch
"Fate has thrown together-twice. It's intention
is obvious. Let Fate look after the rest"
@You Philidor! Oh" She buried her head in her
arms still quvering but he only held her hand more
tightly.
Don't Child l did not mean to frighten you. l
would not hurt you for anything in the world
thought you needed me-
At that she Strengthened quickly, turned flushed
face toward him. and he that she shaking, not
with sobS, but with merriment.
@Oh Philidor-such woong! You'd marry me be-
cause need you. Was dependent female in such
POSITION And she began laughing again, her whole
figure shaking. Il need you-forsooth! How do you
know do? Have told you so?' she asked scornfully.
@You need me, he repeated doggedy.
@And that is why | should marry you? You who
preach the gospel of sincerity and love for loves sae
81 love you'll he stammered
But she only laughed at him the more. "Youl You
wear your passion lightly. Such tempestuous wooing
You ask me to marry you because you fear might do
worse because you believe that I'm irresponsible, and
that without you III end in spiritual beggary. APP
precate your motives They're large ingenious, and
heroic. Thanks. Love is not a matter of expediencv
marriage search for guardian. If they were,
ami, should have long ago married my trust company
You-John Markham!"
HE sat silent under the mockery, his long fingers
clasped over his knees his gaze upon the field below
them, his mind recalling unpeasanty similar incident
in his unromantic Hernia had stopped laughing
had left him suddenly, and picking of Pere
Guegous yellow Her irony had cut him to the
quick, Olga's had her mockery duled his wits and
rendered him incapable of reply but cuously enough he
felt neither anger chagrin at her contempt: only
a deep dsnay that he had spoken the words that had
risen unbdden to his lips which placed in jeopardy the
joy of their fellowship which had owed its very existence
the free unsentimental character of their relations
He knew that however awkwardy he had expressed it.
he had spoken the truth He loved her, had loved her
since Thimbe Island, when she had spoiled his fore
ground by eliminating every detail OF foreground and
background by becoming both. Since then to him sl:c
had always been Joy, Gaiety Innocence Enchantment
and he adored her in secret.
Since they had met in France he had guarded the
carefully often by air of indifference that fitted
him WELL relic of his years of secuson, and native
awxwardness that always more or less in evidence
before women. Whatever his secret misgvngs, he had
blessed the opportunity that chance and her own wild
will had thrown in his way. And now She would
leave him. of course. There nothing left for he.
to do.
SLOWLY, fearfuly, he raised his eyes until she came
within the range of their vision, first to her shoes,
then her stockings, her skirt gaudy jacket and at
last met her eyes. which were smiling at him saucy
over the rosebud she was holding to her lips But he
only sat glowering stupidity at her.
@Oh Philidor7 she cried. @You look just as you did
the night when slipped down through the pergola.
"Hermia!' He and approached her. Il forbid
you'll"
She retreated slowly, brandshng the blossom be-
meath his nose. without face powder!'
"You have no right to speak of that
"Oh haven't l? You We just given it to me-"