Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-31
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR MAY 81 1914

you every night when we were little, and
we haven't got over the habit yet! But
you refuse to do small thing that would
save Nira's happiness-her life itself, per-
haps!"
"You call it small thing that should
"a comparatively small thing. Oh, inn
p1ore you, DR.. John, irnplore you. In
minute it will be too late. | can't explain
why, but it Wilt will be too late to save
us, even if you change your mind"
She had flung her arms round his neck.
She was CRYING on his breast 1t was too
much The man would have perjured him
self in a murder case for her sake at that
moment.
"A1l right" he growled. you've beaten
me- I give in! I'll do anything. Say what
it is you want"
"You must tell everyone that George is
in very strange state-that you can't an
swer for him if he isn't kept perfectly quiet
That won't be lie. And-you must keep
him quiet If-if any friends, or-strangers
look in on him, they must find him dazed,
unable to talk. Not just pretending: it
must be his real state. Oh, DR.. John, |
could thank you on my knees for your good
ness!'
I'D rather you didn't, please"
Il can't, because I've no time! Tell me
quickly something to say to everyone about
George words l can quote-to Mira and
to Others"
II suppose you can say what you said to
me just now-and, by Jove, it seems true
enough, in one way or another! He is in
strange state, and he must be kept quiet.
Otherwise I won't answer for the conse-
quences. Is that enough?'
Enough to say. I trust you to act,
quickly quickly! And, George, I'll do my
40
everybody
She went out quickly, leaving the two
men alone, and taking with her the green
morocco box.
MIRA was up and nearly dressed. She
~ had slipped on japanese kimono of
vivid green, embroidered with flowers of
purple and burnt lumber, and the emerald
color, contrasting with her white skin and
bright red hair, was wonderful. Daura had
seen her sister often in that wrapper; but
never before had she quite realized the mar
velous picture it made of Nira's beauty.
The bride sat before her dressing table, en-
gagged in twisting great rope of copper hair
round her small head. The loose sleeves of
the kimono fell back, showing the lifted
white arms from wrist to elbow. AS Daura
came into the room she met her sisters eyes
III lllC ulilol, SlSSii-S SNSS, SlloC Will
brown, and Swallowed with peculiarly heavy,
dark lashes.
Mira smiled at the newcomer in the glass
@Cat! To go off and leave me alone on my
wedding morning." she laughed gaily.
wicked little black cat!"
1t was a custom of theirs to call each other
after all sorts of animals when they loved
each other best. Daura was used to being
addressed as a cat, and in ordinary circum-
stances would instantly have responded by
naming Mira lynx or lemur, or any other
strange creature whose image jumped into
her head. Now, however, there was only
one thought there: how to tell what she
had to tell, without saying too much, or
saying too little, and always remembering
that twelve minutes out of the twenty were
gone.
Darling, she said, II couldn't sleep, and
felt wretched; so went out for an early
walk. But l should have been back long
ago, only-we had a slight accident"
"We?" repeated Mira.
George and l." Daura answered stead
lily. Il met him. And just then-a big
motorcar rushed by. He stepped back, and
fell Oh, don't be too frightened, Dear
est! There's. no danger, or I shouldn't be
telling you like this. But he was stunned
for a few minutes, and when Conal came