The Washington herald., 1914-08-22
DAILY SHORT STORY.
THE MEDDLER.
ny ELLA RANDALL PEARCE.

tCorynght. fslIJ
Advancing uncertainty across the long.
softly shaded room into which a white
Rproned maid had ushered him. Farnol
Dwight's face frightened at sight Of the
waiting figure before him.
1t was kind of you to send for me. &"
he began. and paused. instantly con-
scious that something was amisS Now
that he was near, he saw that Evelyn
Crocker's face was set and unfriendly
and her bearing resolutely aggressive.
II may say at once. Mr.. Dwight, "
came the aforementioned low, drawing
tones. frosted by an unusual lncisiveness,
that 1t was not my intention 10 be kind.
as you say. I had a sterner purpose in
view when I sent that message to you
today. VIII you be seated"
So different this from her customary
warm graciousness. Dwight sSifay ac-
cepted a chair with his eyes fixed in
quiringly upon a small sofa, pushed a
gold colored cushion behind her back and
slowly lifted her eyes to his
1T is a very undesirable role am
taking up she said with a slight melt
ing Of her tones. Il am going to NEEDLE
with your affairs and Cassie's''
"Oh, Cassie" He let out q full breath
Of relief and settled back comfortably.
Then he laughed lightly. II was afraid
Il was something serious-that had Of
Tended you, for instance"
Mr.. Dwight Evelyn's indignant ad-
vance Of one foot was suggestive of q
stamping motion. Her blue eyes flashed
consciously 1T is serious I am Of
Tended. Cassie is heart-broken." She
felt that she had to make the situation
as grave as possible. How can you
speak so aCarelessly-so calIously-when
you know what l mean? Your last quar-
rel with Cassie, OF course"
My quarrel with Cassie! Well, let il
go at that" The young man drew a
patient sigh. so Cassie has got you to
take up the cudgels in her defense, Miss
Evelyn"
She regarded him searchingIy with one
finger laid upon her lips. Surely no man
who looked like that could be either q
hypocrtte or tyrant. 1t must be that he
did not understand women: that he did
not in the least understand capricious,
bewitching. tender hearted little Cassie
Well, It should be her stern duty to teach
him.
1T is three days since that quarrel, Mr..
Dwight, and you have made no attempt
to repair the hurt you inflicted. Cassie
told me about 1t that night. She has been
like a ghost OF herself since, quiet and
feverish by turns, hiding her sorrow even
lEOIu W men SHe went OUT IO0aY In
a strange mood. staring at me and cling
I became alarmed. Then sent for you"
Where did she go?"
The answer came reluctantly. TO a
tango tea, she said"
''Ah! then she's forgotten her sorrows
by this time" Wright twisted his stall
wart shoulders impatiently. "we-er-dis-
agreed over her dancing. you know.
objected to Lee Lansing as a perpetual
partner. that's all. He began by tango
ing with her and ended by being in my
way every time I tried to see Cassie"
But you don't care for dancing" pro-
tested Evelyn.
mo. And I don't want this girl who's
engaged to me to be always side-stepping
In another mans armsT'
"Oh!" cried Evelyn, shrinking from the
vehemence Of his tones as much as from
hts unvarnished speech. This young man
with the curving lips and honest. hazel
eyes-like a faithful collie's-was EyeIyn's
could be brutal, after all, she
thought. 1t was perplexing.
TN make a bargain with you. Miss
Evelyn" Dwight leaned forward in
gratiatingly. Wen never get anywhere
Il we begin to argue. I'll sit tight and
take all the little talk you want to de-
liver to me, and then you'll listen to me-
ri be fair. Now, go ahead"
He folded his arms and sank back
again, solemn almost to comicaIity.
Evelyn had to crush down wild de-
sire to laugh; then her ire rose again,
Was he trying to embarrass herr But
no. his mood seemed receptive; encour-
aging, one might say, so she spoke freely.
You and Cassie were engaged when
came here to look after her interests
g.
continuous discords-the chickering's, the
and reconciliations, No won
Ter poor, little Cassie Is miserablel
rs she miserable?'' asked the solemn
young man.
II found her In tears after you had
gone that last time" said Evelyn. with
eyes. she said your jeal-
,nsy was breaking her heart. She ~
1ery young. Mr.. Dwight and she loves