Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26

MY fate was settled by a polce
whistle and-I mention this merely u
show how 7 feel about it-when 'he
mystery was finally solved tracked
down the policeman who blew tha'
particular whistle at that particular
moment and presented him with yer
low-back and my blessing.
About a year and a half before
had finished a law course at the lhi-
versity of Georgia and gone back to
Atlanta. my home. and opened an OF
fee intending to acquire practice as
quickly as possible. But clients dio
not come with rush. and things Were
getting rather discouragiug when. all
unexpect eddy. a distant relative OF my
mothers who lived in New York dlea
and left me $4,000. When | was sud
denly summoned TO the august pres
ence of the executor to receive my IN
heritance 1 did not hesitate, believe
me.
1t was my first trip to New York.
on the day that things began to hap
pen | had been there little less than
a week Talbot Sands, a claSSinate OF
mine AT Georgia who had renowned
the law and his family traditions Tor
a job on New York paper had beeh
showing me my way about. ordering
my yiands selecting my raimert and
generally experimenting the disburse-
ment of the legacy 1t was an occu-
patton that suited Tai down to the
ground and he had expressed a readi-
ness to go right on with it as long as
the going was good. But sitting alone
in a law office is Christening expert
euce. and i had announced definitely
and firmly that l was going BACK TO
Atlanta when my week was UP Ne"
York was a great town, and TAI was
quite right about the big men and big
fortunes that were made there every
day in the year: but ] had client IN
Atlanta, and / was going BACK 70 MN.
That was, of course, before the whistle
blew.
1t blew about o'clock in the after
noon. ! was alone, walking doWh o.a
avenue. content with the world and
pleasantly aware of my handsome new
bank balance. / had just decided TO
cross the avenue and continue down
the east side, when the traffic police
man at that corner blew his whistle.
Instantly the motors damned up on
either side of the crossing dashed for
ward and drove me back to the side
walk. and in the haste of my retreat
my arm brushed against a girl stand
ing at the curb, halted also apparently
by the rush of vehicles
She was a beauty. I got that fact
definitely in the first glance, and with
it confused impression of blue eyes,
glowing cheeks and dark red hair that
began under a large black hat and
ended in fur boa. She had on vel
vet suit, of reddish brown which
had wheeled instantly with an
apology. and she had returned a gra-
cious little nod. Then. as l looked
away again. she spoke. the words COM
ing in a little rush of pleased surprise
"Oh. How do you dor
She was looking straight at me, and SO
taken aback was | that could only open
my mouth and cape at her.
Don't you remember me-Miss Hoyt
Roberta Hoyt?" she asked. with light.
girlsh laugh, holding out a white-gloved
hand which had emerged from huge
muff.
I stared blankly for moment. ! did
not remember her at all. and 1t did not
seem possible to have forgotten girl as
pretty as she was if ! had ever seen her
before Roberta Hoyt? The name
seemed familiar; l must have met her
somewhere. At any rate. as she did not
appear to have the slightest doubt Of it,
there was nothing for me to do except
bluff my way along. trusting to some re-
mark of hers to bring enlightenment.
"Oh. of course / said. and shook her
hand warmly.
But as 1 spoke she drew her hand
away sharply and gave me startled
glance. She must. | decided have mis-
taken me for some one whom 1 resem-
bled in face but not in speech.
uncomfortable. and could think Of moth
ing to say. She had used no name in adj
dressing me. so l had no idea whether
she knew who / was or not. Roberta
Hoyt? The name was familiar. l had
certainly heard it before.
Lovely day. isn't it," she surprised
me by remarking abruptly and with an
obvious attempt to seem at ease.
"Yes-bully." l stammered.
New York is always wonderful in
the fall"
IT'S a great little town.
She was sparring for time, I thought
trying to make up her mind about me,
probably no surer now than l whether
or not she had made a mistake. Mean
time. ] was wondering where I could
have met an English girl. for her pro-
nunciation was decidedly British. So
was her voice-deep and rich and
lovely.
IT'S been long time since we met,
hasn't it," she asked.
/ hestated. I did not believe the
question was as ingenious as 1t sound
ed. and I was not going to show my
hand until she showed hers.
Much too long" l said. smiling.
That put IT up to her again. And
It had been too long since we had
met-if we ever had.
Whose fault was that?' she ques-
toned looking away, and her lips
TT wasn't minew I answered.
Then i laughed The situation was
absurd. There we were bluffing each
other TO standstill because each was
would not admit IT.
She laughed. too. but rather nervously
j thought. and / have no idea what
would have happened next IL a. that
moment the traffic officer had not again
blown his whistle. this time to clear
the crossing for pedestrians. We were
swept along with the crowd. and were
on the other side of the avenue before
there was a chance to speak again
Then she said, very composed now and
dignifed:
$50 nice TO have seen you Won't
probably be some people you know"
THANK you: ] shall be delighted"
l gave her a sharp look as | spoke
was puzzled. Was she merely re.
treating gracefully from an awkward
position, or did she still believe she
knew me? Roberta Hoyt? Where oh
where. had I heard that name
I'll expect you. then" she said with
cordial smile, and turned away
The instant for action had come I'm.
less ] could prevent it. in another min.
ute she would have gone out of m,
sight and my life forever. The though,
gave me queer jolt.
II wish you'd come to tea with me
now" 1 said, suddenly
1t was an inspiration straight from
the blue. did not know I was going
to say the words until I heard them
and even then i had no idea 1 had done
more than gain a few seconds of time
But she turned. and 1t was plain tina,
she was actually considering the in.
Sitation. i urged 1t eagerly
She waVered. smiling "