Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-20

I've no business to be as foolish she
was. So. oh. Johnny don't you see? The
house is going to be an awful tempta-
ton"
She wiped the glass and put the little
locket back in her bosom. Presently
when the maid announced luncheon and
she went down she did not show over
much that she had just been shedding
known.
They started out for the house directly
luncheon was over. They went on 1901.
Their walk took them into the most fash
lonable portion of the town and into one
of the most elegant houses they entered
by means of the keys Mrs. Cort carried.
The faint mustiness of a long closed
interior met them. They passed in silence
through the stately hall into still more
stately parlor. into a library lined with
volumes. a dining room all mahogany, a
den with hammered silver desk furnish
ings, a music room where dust was gath
erng on the lid of a superb baby grand.
With faint laugh Mrs. Cort dropped
upon the polished bench before the piano
and lifted the shining lid. Her fingers
waking the worries, brought echoes from
every corner of the great empty house
With slight shiver she arose.
Its a pity you don't play or sing"
she said. Il understand Mrs. Kelley
did both to perfection. She closed the
piano. Well let's go upstairs. We
don't care to see the kitchen. Ell? That
They assembled the stair. They went
through chamber after chamber and
came at last to one for which Mrs. Cort
had some trouble in finding the key.
AS they entered she gave an eXclama-
ton Why, this must have been her
room
Just opposite them. where the light
trickled through the windows upon ii,
was the life-size portrait of a woman
a stately, wonderful woman in blue satin.
iatrra 1r nt.nlx- HI
black eyes seemed to be looking toward
them inquiringly. as if in royal surprise
and resentment at their intrusion.
How beautiful" breathed Mrs. Cort
'But-astonishing.y lifelike. I feel like
an invader. She tried uneasily to laugh
Il don't think 1 care to linger here. She
she doesn't seem to like it. Come,
dear
Wait. l want to look at her Mamie
said. quietly and Unexpectedly. She
won't mind my looking at her, | know.
I'm not sure about that Mrs Cort
shivered It's SO cold in here. III just
run out into the hall where that sunny
spot is; SO look all you want to. child
She was gone and Mamie was alone
with the portrait. She went close up TO
II and looked directly into the dark,
searching eyes. And as she looked reve-
lation came. She saw her great unlike
ness to the woman whose place she was
expected to fll-her absolute untitness
I'm so ignorant. so unteachable'' she
whispered to the dark eyes. "Oh, you
show me that and I'm glad l saw YOU.
No. dear lady, | won't try to fill Your
place: | couldn't. l should only make
wretched failure and break my poor
heart in doing it. My place is back
home with Johnny. Isn't that what YOU
are trying to tell me? Yes, Evelyn, I'm
coming She went out, closing the door
gently behind her.
Rather silently they gained the street
and the sunshine. Its fine-grand.
said Mrs. Cort quite gay again. Much
more splendid than 1 expected And to
think it's all yours
No Mamie said. and her voice was
as calmly resolute as her face. lit isn't
mine. 1t can never be mine, it's hers
that wonderful womans. I'm no equal
of hers, Evelyn. no matter what Mr..
Kelley fancies or you wish. And so
I'm going back to marry Johnny I'm
going back tomorrow cried Mamie, joy
fully.
rTHE END