Evening star., 1916-09-10

dining room table fresh with the best
tablecloth, the worn silver and q hand
| full Of daffodils from Vans little flower
garden. When the harp began to souno
from the parlor Van knew that tne
guest had arrived. But it was not un.
til she went to announce supper tnae
she saw him.
John Potter was inclined to elder
liness-that is. there were lines IN nus
brown face and silvery threads in his
health and vigor beside the droopins::
silvery professor as they proceeoeo
tableward. Rosamond led the way
dragging Van BY the hand. She sat be-
hind the old-fashioned silver service
and poured the tea. Her white nngers
dashed; there were not any stains upon
them. vanessa kept out Of sight as
much as possible. though It was scarce
the background after her. Rosamond
was very gay and the professor very
taIkatfve There really was nothing
for Van to do but to see that the guest
was we'll supplied with whatever the
table afforded.
The short cake was excellent beyond
compare and John Potter praised 1t. He
did not, however, eat with so much en-
Joyment as usual. He apppearsd to have
something on his mind; He is going
to propose to Rosamond." Van thought,
and that wicked heartache Of hers made
her turn so pale that she caught Rosa
mond looking at her oddly.
After supper John suggested that he
have his car sent up and they all go for
spin. There was moonlight. making
an enhancing night. Rosarnond tied a
blue veil over her blond hair; her head
looked like flower in the moonlight as
she sat beside John on the front seat.
Van thought
They were on the hill before which
the little town lay like a little fairy
land of sparkling lights and vague out
% -
let a wildly racing car go by. Outside
the roadbed the earth was still soft
from the rains and ne must have missed
his reckoning. At any rate, the heavy
car sank into loan and tho engine
painted in vain. Rosamond gave cry.
Her father began to ask questions. Van
sat perfectly still while John threw on
the power again and again helplessly.
At last 1t became evident that they
must all walk back to town, a mile dis
tant. Rosamond was rather cross about
1t. She had on her best shoes. and out
side of their not being very comfort
al BILE she did not wish to ruin them by a
big walk on a damp road John said he
was very sorry, but passersby were in
frequent in the evening on that particu-
lar stretch of road. The car that had
ditched them had been driven by some
doctor making hurry call. There was
little chance of their being helped out
1t would take the shoulders of six men
to lift, the great speedover out Of that
rut.
Yet even while they were talking a
light runabout flashed up from behind
and a voice called to them. Hosamond
gave little shrek of delight
'oh. Bobby, is that your
Sure thing" Bobby Amhurst an
swered. He was alone in the runabout,
and when he had found out their dilem-
ma he told Rosamond to jump in and
he'd take her back home in a jiffy. 'I1l
come back for Van then. Also. I'll stop
at the garage and send somebody out
for the car he promised.
But he never came back. Van and
John and the professor trudged back to
town through the spring scents and
sights and moonlight. Vans feet did not
hurt; her heart had stopped aching; she
was SO happy she wished she could go
walking on forever at Johns side.
And presently she found that he wish
ed 1t, too. For the professor, fastening
on, had left them far enough In the rear
to say things without being heard 1t
was then John took her hand and laid 1t
on his arm and held it there while he