Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-28


the few treasures remaining in the family.
Il noticed last night that you refused cigars, and
smoked cigarettes said Lord Gorme @Im with you
there; though my doctor tells me it's a bad habit
most pleasant habits do to be injurious, don't
they? Or perhaps you haven't found that out yet.
You re young, and I'm old find that for me smoking
calls thought out of that Vastly deep where all thought
lies. And like this silver box. 1t gives me pleasure to
it. Once it contained love letters written to
cestor of mine by beautiful royal lady. He had to
give up the letters; but the box he kept for reminder
of happy days
Lord Gorme talked on, he watched his guest light
a cigarette and then lit for himself and talked
dreamily yet nervousy, Troy would have realized
had he known his host better
II too keep the box reminder of happy days."
the elder said aOnce it held love letters written
to me by beautiful lady. She not royal; but she
was the queen of my youth. too had to give up my
letters. Rather an odd coincidence, that.
Eyes, Troy agreed, wondering good deal why this
Lord las he mentally named his host should make
such condolences to him, stranger dweller in another
world. The talk of royal ladys love for ancestor
might have seemed like Boosting from different type
of man; but it not Boosting from Lord Gorme 1t
would be impossible for him to boast. Whatever his
faults might be- Troy instinctively felt that snobbsh
would be utterly foreign to him.
Lord Gorme smoked on in silence for few minutes,
gazing from under halflowered lids at his guest Them
he read the others thoughts, he said abruptly,
3No doubt you're wondering why speak to you of an
sibe interest to you; but | believe you wrong.
Because believe this sent for you, that might
have talk alone. told you last night that looked
forward to talk The book to bring
you here And the love letters not irrelevant
they may seem, Mr. Troy They written by the
one woman ever loved. Here is her picture. l was
looking at it when you came in
AS he spoke he lifted the piece of old rose and silver
brocade with which he had covered something
the desk, and picking up an ivory miniature in finely
chased gold frame, held it out to his visitor Robert
Cameron Troy he said in changed and sharpened
voice. 3te1 me if you know that face2'
Troy hesitated instant, if asked to do thing
he had right to do; then he took the gold-framed
oval of ivory from Lord Gorme @By Jove he exclaimed
at can't be-and yet it isl
The elder man was watching him closely. @You do
recognize the likenesse'
as it possible asked Troy, 4that this picture Of
my mother"
2Ah!' Lord Gorme calculated @That puts end
to any doubts | had. You are Margaret Camerons
son. l knew it must be She married Robert Troy.
It's strange fate that after all these years brings you
across the sea to this island and to my house-not
knowing Or did you know? Did she tell you the story"
@She did not tell me anything of yourself Troy an
swered looking up from the lovely young face of the
portrait to the handsome old face Of the
Then l should like to tell you Lord Gorme said,
3if you would care to hear. Would you care?"
EYES, said Troy 4Iloved my mother with all my soul
$50 did l." said Lord Gorme, when she nineteen
and twenty three. 1t lasted just year,
love dream-for it hers too. She loved me-or
thought she did. The dream broke; but with me the
love has lasted through my life. It's long time to go
loving one lost as youth, almost boy:
thrty-fve years. l am nearing sixty now. But Mar
garet Cameron girl in million. She would have
grown into wonderful woman
3She wonderful woman' cried Troy. @She
died when we were about fourteen; but we knew she
the best and most beautiful that ever lived
am glad you appreciated her with all your heart.
That leaves you with less regret for the years without
her. said Lord Gor1ne "But who could help appre-