Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-24

thing over here. You see, it makes me
80 miserable not being able to stand up
for YOU when father and people like
Percy criticise you. OF course l say know
YOU have very good reasons and all that,
but they don't believe me because l can't
tell them what they are
$50 you and Mr.. Pennicuick have been
talking me over, have YOU" asked Brent
NO" flashed Molly. we haven't At
least Percy said nothing but what was
nice of you. but he said he wished for
your own sake as well as mine that you
would show these people that you are not
such a
"Such fool as l look?" asked Brent
you know you are not a fool Molly
defended him to himself. ITS only people
who aren't clever enough to see how clever
you are who think so"
Like Mr.. Pollock suggested Brent
blandly. He was feeling u little sore at
the thought Of having been discussed by
Pennicuick and Molly
Molly flushed a LITTLE resentfuI1y She
was only nineteen and she had been
brought up by Mr.. Pollock to consider
everything that he himself said was
right and admirable. When she first
got TO know Christopher Brent she ad-
mired his monocle, hts leanness his
slightly eraying hair. the shape of his
head and his square jaw She admired.
TOO. his casual. slightly blase manner.
which was yet so much more polished
than the laborious politeness of Mr.
Pollocks city friends She knew Chris
TOPPER had been in the diplomatic serv-
ice. that ne had travelled widely, that he
glamour Of these things was quite
enough to make her fall in love with
him as she understood the term. Now
dincult1es. suspicious and disaEreeables
were accommodating touch on touch, and
she was bewildered and puzzled.
How horrid of you to say that about
father Chris! You shouldn't say such
things about him to me-"
NO. shouldn't and I am n brute:
but apparently people may say what
they like about me to you
i don't care what they say" coun-
tered Molly In rush Of enthusiasm. "I
just love you and trust you through
everything. But surely you can trust
me little more and tell me things?
Somehow Just now with Percy every
thlng seemed so simple and straightfor-
ward. One knows all he is doing and
thinking and feeling"
Take care. Molly; you are develop
ing your sex's instinct for absolute pos
passion. And you can't possess a man
wholly. my dear-not a man who is
man. at least"
Molly looked at him with troubled
eyes In her simple philosophy love and
possession were synonymous terms
Il am frightfully sorry for you just
now. Molly" Brent went on, land I'd
give the world to be able to tell you
why I can't enlist. But l can't tell you
not even you. / will some day-soon. l
hope-but for the moment, like the Tar
Baby, I must keep on sayin' nuffn''
Trust me. do trust me, Molly. Trust me
at least to the extent Of believing that
1t isn't cowardice. or laziness. or apathy,
that prevents me from enlisting. It's
something I can't help"
Molly sat still a moment thinking
busily. and trying to evolve a theory
that would fit the case. A terrible yet
not wholly unpleasant because very
romantic. idea took possession Of her
m HNh Az l.
ing from some frightful disease-ap-
pendicitis-decided Molly. and until he
had been operated upon could not go
to the front. Naturally he did not wish
to distress her by telling her this She
therefore tried to play what she had
read Of somewhere az the "woman's
part" and keep him cheerful.
Chris. will trust you.,' she said. rub
bling her soft cheek against his sleeve.
I'm sorry II ! have seemed not to, but
everything has been SO queer since yes
terday. Since Mrs. Lee came" she added
thoughtfully.
She felt Brent start slightly against
her caressing cheek.
Whats 1t got to do with her? Why
drag her into it?" he said. a little irri-
tab1y.
Il didn't: Why do you take TAX: me up like
round on the seat and looking indig
nantly at him-"you haven't been talk
ing about 1t to Mrs Lee?''
Talking about what?"
About why you can't enlist You
haven't told her the thing you won't
tell meg?
"Of course. 1 haven't, little goose.
What on earth put such ideas into your
head?" asked Brent, trying to speak
naturally.
"oh. nothing, only you seemed so very
friendly with her You played smoker
with her all yesterday evening"
But. my dear child, you said you had
a headache and went to bed.
And then you have been with her all
this morning." continued Molly, taking
no notice Of this.
We'll. of all the cheek said Brent.
laughing. Considering you went off
with young Pennicuick and abandoned
me in the middle of the lawn
Father says" continued Molly, that