Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-07

wish save to live IN her quiet mouse
and care for her flowers In summer
and cherish the memories in the bleak
long winters, when the sea seemed the
only living thing that had a voice FOL
her.
Serena was woman who grew love
lier with age; The gray mist IN her rec
hair softened and beautified 1t. Hell
eyes were brown. and all the bigger
and darker for her clouded hair. Hell
girlish wealth of color had faded to &
delicate pink. She had sweet pa
thence of expression rare to see. Ant
her figure was fiat and slim AM
straight. Serena in gray satin would
have been worth regarding. but sh'
had never felt the touch Of satin in hel
life and never would. However, hel
black and white print was all that wa!
necessary to make a pleasant picture
and white flowers.
Morning, Sreny"
She turned. A man was leaning ovel
her low fence-a man of her own age
with brown, broad face and blue
smiling eyes. He wore a loose blue
flannel blouse and q round hat. Hi
tanned throat and his arms, tattooet
to the elbows, were bare.
Good morning, Steve" replied Sc
fena. gravely.
There was a flash like that of blu
steel through the air. and a grea
at Serena's feet. She picked 1t up
flushing reproachfully.
Il wish you wouldn't. Steve" sh
murmured.
IT had big catch this morning-72o
Why shouldn't I give you one out O.
the lot il choose7"
Il wish you wouldn't" repeated Sc
rena, unhappily.
He leaned farther over tho fence
studying her with his sea blue eyes.
"Give me a bit of sweetie, S'reny." h
pleaded, in q low voice.
She broke off a piece of the pink ant
held it out to him.
He took it with q sigh Of thanks an,
moved to go. Then he settled bacl
into his former position. turning tn
'S'reny," he began.
Serena grew pale. She knew from
his tone what was coming. She stood
holding to tho great. cleaning fish al
for support.
got was when you were by. I begun
to love you then and I've loved yo,
ever since. I shall love you till I ge
drowned or die of old age. I'm just &
fisherman. S'reny. and I know you're
too good for me. but If you'd marry M
Sreny."
serena's head dropped Her lipl
trembled. ''Oh. 6teve!" she sobbed. &c
like you. but that isn't loving, and
without loving is no way to marry :
man. You know why. Steve. can
heard him grind his teeth.
And you won't try?'
What's the use Of trying7" asked
Serena, miserably.
Steve looked hard at the pink flowers
in his hand. Then he drew a great
breath. "All right. S'reny-dear," he
said. And walked away toward the
house on the corner. where he lived
in company with his partner.
Serena. with wet eyes. hurried into
the house. She flung the mackere
down upon the table. and, sinking into
a chair, wept bitterly. II only didn't
like him so WELL" she sobbed. 1T hurts
me to hurt him. But. can't get over
Cliff and never shall"
The door opened and a woman en-.
tered. She stopped. staring at the sight
Of Serena's tears. What in the worlds
the matter with you. sseny Dull?'
BILE and took up the fish. my, that's
a grand, good mackerel-full two
FOUNDER. I'm sure. Steve Bard left it,
didn't he? S'reny, I want to tell you
s son e. ). You're a fool not to marry
Serena said nothing She knew that
Mrs Horns opinion was the opinion of
all her neighbors. Moreover, it was
useless to resent the old woman's in
stopped for resentment:
II say you're a fool not to marry
Steve" Mrs. Horn went on, emphat-
icalIy. Here's winter coming on, and
Many day you'd go hungry. s'reny.
but for the fish Steve leaves you. /
know Steve Bard. He's a good man.
Look how he took care Of his mother
all the, years she sat there helpless!
A good son makes good husband.
got a good bit laid by. He'd make
you fine and comfortable. And he
loves you, S'reny. More than that
the. old woman smiled and patted
Serena's shoulder-"you love him. only
saIkins. You see. I know a thing or
two, S'reny. You will, too, when you
live to be as old as am. + only hope
you won't have to look back and see
how you let one mistake spoil your
you should happen to be over town in
the course of the day I wish you'd get
me box Of Gibraltars. There's the
money. I suppose you think an old
sweet teeth long ago, but I amt and
never shall. I must have my Gibral-
tars.'
Serena had no occasion to go over
town, but that afternoon she went to
get Mrs Horns Gibraltars, a certain
rocky kind Of candy much in demand
in the town. AS she was coming out
of the shop with the package in her
hand, very serious, for the thought Of
Steve had not left her all day, a man
who had been lounging at the window
outside stepped alongside her. why.
how do, Serena?' he said.
Serena looked at him startled. Her
first thought was that she did not
know him. Then. rs she mot his eyes
fairly. she aid a. and she she turned deadly
Clif Salkins smiled. He was very
dapper. and he carried q 3caue 81