Evening star., 1915-03-21

despise ourselves. That's the worst of it
we hold ourselves in contempt
"You've had no children, Sister," asked
Florence gently, "in all these years?'
Again the shrug of the high shoulders.
"Children, my dear3 Nobody we know has
children. Children! | sometimes forget
there are such things. But you, of course"
"Two sons-two darling sons"
ooh, of course!' She looked at her sister
under her long lashes. "Don't go to see
Earl' she cried impetuousy. 81 don't
want you to see how he looks. I'm sorry
you've seen me. What was the use? Now
you will always think of us as unhappy
what are you going to do, my dear?
Can we not help you?' 1t was Florence
who asked.
Aurora threw glance at Olden. "Help
me3" she asked with light disdain. "How
could you? I've money in plenty, you
know, and the rcstlessness of the wind. No,
you can't help me. shall amuse myself
somehow
"You mustn't take that attitude toward
life, cried Florence. ave are going to have
new home somewhere, Aurora, we don't
know quite WHEREIN some beautiful
quiet place Will you not come with us?
You will learn to love the children
But Aurora raised her two jeweled hands
ooh, Flo!' she half screamed. keep still!
A quiet, beautiful place, with me as the low
ing aunt How funny! How perfectly
funny! must tell Earl"
Florence rose, white-faced. "Goodby,
Sister, she said. al shall send you the
address of my home when have it. Per-
haps, after all
"No, nor Aurora persisted shrilly. "Don't
send it to me. | shall never visit it. Thank
you for coming just the same and for-for
everything"
She kept on laughing while she let them
out, and she looked at Robert Olden with
eyes of mockery. She did not regret him,
that was evident. Olden was not vain;
but if he had been, his pride would have re-
ceived shock.
As Robert and Florence left the elevator
they saw man entering the outer
door, He was a handsome haggard crea-
ture, perfect in his attire Preoccupied as
he was, and accustomed to meeting only
strangers in that entrance, he did not look
up. But they recognized him at once, in
spite of the flesh that bagged beneath his
eyes and the cynical twist to his handsome
mouth. 1t was Earl Necdham, beyond all
peradventure. Florence envisaged him with
one quick glance. She did not want to speak.
She reflected quickly that had she seen him
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of man she wished to know. Involuntarily
Robert moved to put forth a hand; but he
repented it, and went on out of the door. He
knew he had done the kind thing in going.
Robert and Florence were very still as
they bowled along the street in their taxi;
yet each knew that the silence of the other
was not because of absorption in the lighted
and thronged streets, novel though the
sight was to them.
After time Robert spoke, 81 have been
trying not to inquire" he said softly; "but
| must know of what you are thinking.
"Of waves Florence said, waves of
peace, waves Of happiness. They keep roll
ing in and rolling in"
"Ah," he said, "the seventh will be the
largest. Has it come yeto"
ut is coming she declared.
at will come, Dearest, when you see the
boys watching for us from the window.
"No, no." she cried. ut will come when
you tell me that you love me better than
anything else in the world!'
as that true?" he answered, grasping her
hands in his. as that true? You love me,
then: YOU are not merely contented with
mel am not merely copartner in the
boys"
"lou are my own love-" she said, "the
beginning and end of my JOY, my haven in
storms, the meaning of my life Because of
YOU, | hope for immortalitV'