The evening world., 1914-03-04
CHAPTER TX.
Essie Tisdale's Enforced Abne-
cation.

sei8o UNCkyuTu OF tH0 nOtel. Ino
phlegmatic black omnibus and dray
horses neighed for sugar at her COM
ing. the calf she had weaned from the
wild range COW bawled at sight Of
her, while various useless dogs leapsd
about her In scstacy. and Q mere
glimpse Of her skirt through the
kitchen doorway was sumcient to
starr such . duet from the two ex.
cessively vital and omniverous man,
mails whom Essie had ironically
named Alphonss and CASTOR that Van
Lennop. who had the full beneflt Of
this chorus. often wished the time
had arrived for Alphonse and CASTOR
TO fulnl their destiny. Yet he found
diversion. too, in her efforts to instil
Into their minds the importance Of
poiiteness and unselnshness and fire.
auently he laughed aloud at the frag-
mcnts Of conversation which reached
him when he beard her laboring with
them In the interest OF their manners.
A loud and persistent squealinE
caused Van Lennop to raise his eyes
trOui HE UooN uuu iooh Out upon tn0
pole corral wherein the vociferous Al
phonsc and CASTOR were confined.
Essie Tisdalc was perched upon tho
top pole. seemingly deaf to their shriil
depression was in
every line Of her slim figure. despond.
6ncy in the droop Of her head. Her
attitude held his attention and set him
for he thought Of her al
ways M the embodiment Of laughter.
good humor .and exuberant youth.
OF all the women he ever had known,
either we'll or casually. she had
seemed the furthest from moods or
nerves or anything even dimly sug-
gcstive Of the neurasthenic.
Moved by an impulse Van Lennop
laid down his book and went below.
castles. Miss Tisdale?" he
asked as he sauntered toward her. He
still insisted upon the whimsical for
mality OF Miss Tisdale." although to
"Essie."
tho sound Of his voice and the shadow
in them gave them tho look Of deep
blue velvet. Van Lennop thought
You only build air castles when
you are happy. don't you. and ho1s-
And are you not happy and hope
full, Miss Tisdale?" Amusement
glimmered In his eyes. II thought
you were quite the happiest person I
know, and to DO happy 10 to DO hope
full" -........ >>-.. J.
"what have to make mo happy3"
she demanded with -. sAHAeleity
;,l.is !. .t; :. him. 'What taVS* to
IF T,:Sins; Mis-. r,sdsls" IN. sim
For what' To b told that I'm
"And young" Van Lennop supple
II know women who would
give q kings ransom TO be young and
pretty. Isn't that enough to make
one person happy?"
And what good will being either
ever do met" she demands bitterly:
me, q biscuit shootcr!" Her musical
voice was almost harsh In Its bitter
ness. She turned upon him fiercely.
"I've been happy because ! was ig-
I've been made to sec: I've been
That was It then: some one had
hurt her, some one had found IT In
his heart to hurt Essie Tisdale. whose
fyiendliness was as impartial and ~
boundless as the sunshine itself.
Van Lennop shook his head grave
But what has happened? Who has
hurt you? Did something 60 wrong
at this wonderful dinner of which
you told me? Were you not after all
quite tho prettiest girl there?"
II wasn't asked"
Van Lennop's eyes widened.
4 thrn0hN .
belle Of Crowheart was always
asked"
mot now; I'm a biscuit shooter: I
work-And-'Society must draw the
line somewhere
who said that" Amusement was
In Van Lennop's tone.
mfr. Symes said II to Mrs. Symes.
Mrs. Symes said II to Mrs. Jackson.
Mrs. Jackson said 1t to Mrs. TUFTS.
Mrs. TUFTS said 1t to mo-"
"Of whom
"Of me-"
But what society?" Van Lennop's
face still wore a puzzled look.
"Crowheart society"
A light broke over his face: then
ne laughed aloud, such a shout of
unauthorized glee that Alphonse and
CASTOR ceased to squeal and hxed
their twinkling eyes upon him In mo-
mentary wonder
when ! told you ] was going I
thought OF course they would ask
me. thought the tardy invitation
was Just an oversight. but now l
know"-her chin quivered suddenly
like q hurt chiid's-"that they never
meant 10 ask me-"
Van Lennop's face had quickly so
bered.
"You are sure he really said that
this Andy =. Symes?"
II think there's no mistake. IL
was the easiest way to rid themselves
Of my friendship" She told him
then OF tho reproof Symes had ad-
ministered.
An unwonted shine came into Van
LEMONS calm eyes as he listened.
This put a different face upon tho
affair. this intentional injury to the
feelings OF his stanch little cham
pion. II somehow made 1t more per-
sonal matter. The social line
amused him merely. though, In a
way. II held sociological interest
for him, too. II was, he told himself
like being privileged to witness the
awakening OF social ambitions In q
tribe OF bushmen,
Van Lennon was silent, hut the girl
felt his unspoken sympa thy. and Il
L.. lisa has. Il l..