Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-28

He has not even dreamed that there
might be any drawbacks in regard to her
| coming. Well, it's done, and l shall have
to make the best Of it. But what poor
best!''
Linda slept little that night. She lay
awake trying to devise ways and
means.
The money Mrs. Park will pay me for
some she thought
Rising early, She finished the picture.
An hour before that appointed she was
on her way with It, The maid opened
the door to her.
us Mrs Park at homer Linda asked
The maid looked blank.
Nom. She took that early train for
New York this morning.
1.-THE early train! But she said she was
not leaving until 2. And I have brought
the picture she ordered as a gift for her
sister, Linda's voice broke.
She took something SON else she had after
to change her, mind. the girl said. =.
We'll. it doesn't matter. of course"
Linda replied. She got away as grace
fully as she could II had so counted
Now I shall have to get along as well
as l can without 1t, for 1 can't go into
debt even for the sake Of making good
appearan
The day of the guests arrival the doc
tor went to the station to meet her,
while Linda stayed at home to get the
dinner. AS soon as he was out Of the
house Linda dropped into chair and
perplexity must have one last outburst.
"She's coming, Ben she confided.
'She's nearly here And I dresd her as
| never dreaded anything human before.
ration, and there's worse before me. Ben.
l know what she's going to think. 1 can't
bear that she should look at us-Rober1
and you and me. Ben. and feel that we
F-s
can't tell her what has gone to make us
failures-how Bobby died and the doctor
has worked for the love of mankind
rather than greed for money: how l gave
married him because I loved. him; how
you, poor old Benny, represent all the
pay he got for the hardest case he ever
worked over. though when old Billy
heart he gave all he had to give We
took you, Ben. not because we wanted
you or could afford to keep you, but be-
cause you came to us as you did. And
Presently the old dog slipped away and
went to the door He heard his masters
step In the street. His sharp bark Of
welcome, and the opening Of the door
came simultaneously. The doctor and
his guest entered.
We'll, dear. here's your friend" his
big voice rang out. Pretty tired,
guess. for she's had quite a journey
udt HldkeS me leel she wanted 10 see
US. Here's my girl. Alice. See what
you think Of her"
Linda" Alice said. Their hands met,
then their faces. then their eyes in a
long. inquiring gaze ''Why. you haven't
changed at all!'
Linda smiled. She could not say that
Alice had not changed.
After all. the dinner was a success.
Alice ate heartily. Moreover. she grace
fully ignored the lack of appropriate table
furnishing and the occasional darn that
the chance lifting of a dish disclosed.
After dinner she went to her room to
rest while Linda attended to her house.
work. The afternoon was nearly done
before she came down.
Il slept longer than I intended to-"
she apologized But she looked as if she
had been crying.
THAT little picture Of yours and mine
| that hangs opposite the bed,'' she said
by and by. How 1t carries one back to
the old times! wonder if you ever feel
| Linda, as I do, how far we have come
from our girlhood-its hopes and joys and
promises. Life is SO irresistible, 1 think,