Evening star., 1917-05-20

think you'll capture the Lady besides.
But don't be too sure!''
The caddish thrust told. The baronet
quivered, and then steadied himself as
does good fencer when his enemy's foil
touches a vital spot. His eyes blazed, yet
still he kept admirable outward control
OF his temper With cool and cutting
irony, he rejoined:
first to congratulate her on her exceeding
ly wise choice. She might do better. I
do not see how she could do worse!"
Then he passed out to the grass.
Richard stood. speechless with rage
and chagrin. saying as though to a
mere caller:
II will order the gig round in an
hour There is a train at 1910.
would not hurry you. or hint that am
the master here, but doubtless you will
be glad to leave Denecroft.
And with a slight bow he passed round
a turret angle, and Richard saw him no
more. Thus the brothers parted.
Half mad and blind with rage, morti-
fication and self-condemnation, Richard
went to his room. tossed his traps into
his bag. left directions for the gig to
bring II after him. and then started to
walk to the station.
Long before he reached London his
better self regained the ascendency.
and bitterly he rued the wrong he had
done his brother and the mess he had
made of things. Pride forbade him to
go back and apologize as he ought.
Not a penny of that cursed money
would he touch. He would leave Eng
land and carve out an independent for
tune for himself.
But first he must see Marcia and find
out II she. too, were among the things
he had that day lost.
Fortunately he found her "at home"
and alone. 1t was the first time they
had met since his fathers death, and
as she rose and came forward with
outstretched hands to welcome him she
said:
'I knew you would come to me first
upon your return.
Her words and her manner fell like
balm on his storm-tossed and angry
spirit, and something like sob had to
and even then his eyes were suspi-
ciously moist.
"Yes" he said, leading her to seat.
''and even now I am come to say good
bye. I am leaving England" he con-
tinued in answer to the mute and ap-
pealing inquiry in her eyes.
Leaving England" she replied in
deep contralto tones; land why?"
"To make my fortune" he answered
as iauntily as he could.
:tBut surely she began, when he
took the words out of her mouth.
'Oh. yes: Sir Arthur has done the
handsome thing so far as money is con-
eerned. but we've had a beastly row,
and 1 can't touch penny. So I'm go
ing away"
"a quarrel with Sir Arthur-going
away" she repeated, DULY. with di-
lated eyes.
He nodded. But it was all my fault;
I acted like a cad. 1 was mad with
like a Dysart-practically ordered me
off the premises just as I'd have done
if he had checked me. I've only myself
to than9k.' he concluded, gloomily-
pintr. .ar~Iv Ia
would have known that one of the
surest ways to a woman's heart is self
depreciation. especially when that
woman is in love with man. Because
then she has the satisfaction of prov
ing, among other things, that her idol
is not made of clay.
For Rick it was a relief thus to make
confession, to look into her troubled
eyes. their depths stirred for him, as
he felt, and to divine that she at least
Marcia laid her cool palm on his hot
hand and unthinkingly left it there. In
a moment he had covered it with the
other and held 1T imprisoned.
81 own was in the wrong" he re-
iterated. But 1 was wild at the
thought that perhaps had lost every
thing. Marcia he went on, before
go you must choose once for all be-
tween the rich baronet and the poor
barrister. You know what l. mean,
dear"
The warm color rose to her cheeks:
her bosom pa1pitated: her breath came
and went in ftful unison with it's throb-
bings. He held her hands insistently,
nor did she strive to withdraw them.
Raising her eyes to his she said, while
d half smile dimpled her mouth:
"You foolish boy! the choice was made
years ago. and-it isn't the baronet"
she faltered. as her head sunk on his
shoulder.
ssNfy Sarlipr,,- ba axcI,;p,ad &C ba
strained her yielding form to him, do
you mean it,"
YES" she sighed, blissfully; 'it seems
as II I had always loved you, Rickin