Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-16

two out in the shady croquet grounds.
Her heart was heavy and she felt
languid and oppressed. Geraldine had
come to stay five weeks. Diana Won
dered how she was ever going to en-
dure another fortnight of this visit.
At IL o'clock she had an icy, tempt
croquet playing pair came in to par
take of it, Geraldine was all anima
ton
Mr.. Gale babies me So" she cried.
He let's me beat, though he denies
it, She threw a luminous glance at
Kenneth. who had paused beside Di-
a ana chair before taking his own
She seemed to feel something re-
morseful in his touch and shrank IN
der it.
"Tired?" he murmured. and looked
into her face as if he would kiss her,
but there was no response in her eyes.
and he went to his place at the table.
Geraldine. affecting to ignore all
mis-. was examining the water lilies
in the cut glass bowl. They've be-
gun to fade" she said. We must
get some more. Can't we-this after
noon?" Her glance flashed from Di-
Il ought to be at the Office this
afternoon he said. considering Di-
ana's tired heart stirred with hope.
But i suppose Alverson can manage.
II he wants anything he can phone, of
course"
"Then-?" Geraldine crossed her
pretty hands under her chin and wait
ed on his word with charming air
OF eagerness. Diana waited, too,
growing colder and colder each in
slant.
Then Wen go huntin' water lilies"
Geraldine gave little laugh OF
triumph and clapped her hands
..Goody, | love the water above ali
TIM with you. Mr. Gale You row so
splendidly."
She went on talking blithely, and at
the same time eating heartily. Diana
had no appetite for the food She was
too tired and far too overheated. BE-
sides. she was growing more and more
troubled each moment She wondered
how Kenneth would like to be sitting
at the table with Geraldine alone. Ger
tainly Geraldine would like it. She
was little in love with Kenneth. And
Kenneth. perhaps. was a little in love
with her. 1t must be that he was
And I'm not brave enough to bear it,"
she reflected She started little wild
ly. Was 1t possible that she had
spoken out loud? They were both look
Ing at her curiously and waiting.
What is it?" she gasped.
Geraldine laughed. You looked so
wool-gathery. Mr.. Gale asked you once
and ] asked you if you could go boat
ing right after luncheon and you never
answered"
Diana smiled wanly. "Oh, l can't go.
I've some things to see to-important
things. But that must not hinder you
two" She hurried over the words.
Leave the things" Kenneth said
Diana shook her head. oh, that
would be impossible, How little you
both know of housekeeping" She won
dered if her little air of forced gayety
seemed as pitiful to them as it did to
her.
Geraldine offered to help with the
dishes-perfunctorily, was evident from
her eagerness to be away to the river
Diana said valiantly she would, indeed
rather do them herself. She wished
Geraldine not to miss moment of her
pleasure. And Geraldine kissed her an,;
went away merrily with Kenneth,
shouldering the oars. beside her.
Diana was half through the dish
washing when something happened
She found herself on the floor by the
sink with a broken plate under her
hand. And her hand was bleeding She
felt dazed and very i'll. She sat still
moment trying to realize the situation
She had evidently tainted and she was
alone in the house. She got up, found
q piece of cloth and bound her hand.
Then feeling faint again she got to a
couch and lay down. Then she seemed
to fall asleep and to dream. She dream
ed that she was dead and that Kenneth
was married to Geraldine. She began
to sob about it wildly, foolishly, lying
there with her eyes tight shut. ken
meth, Kenneth" she cried.
Two big, solid arms went round her
- and held her in secure, comforting
clasp. Lips touched her face and as
she struggled into consciousness she
found herself looking into Kenneth's
eyes.
you are as hot as fire." he was say
Ing, and altogether out of your head.