Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-10

occupied man fashion. and opened an
other letter Stella wriggled little
nearer. seating herself on the arm OF
his chair
or. leaning back with an air of resiS,
nation. Let me know the worst. ana
get il over.
ooh. it's nothing alarming" gurgled
Stella-"at least l hope not. Are you
in a very good humor this morning.
Arthur
Il was" he answered grsvely: but
the most patient man has his limits
you know.
fairly gigsled-there Is no other name
for the sound of suppressed delight and
merriment which rippled from her lips
fundamentally went off on another
tangent. .h,.
Richard and Mr.. Kane seemed to like
each other so much last night!
WHY, yes-since we are all neigh
bors should say 1t was most fortunate
Perhaps we ought to 1eei deas n. "a sn he
Mr. Kane likes us so well-eh? ana ne
pinched the girls cheek mischievousiy.
while a quizzical smile twisted the cor
ner of his mouth.
DO you really like him she muir
INJURED. hiding her face on her brothers
shoulder.
who. Rick" Sir Arthur perversely
No. You old stupid-Mr. Kane" she
replied. giving him an admoh''ors
shake.
Certainly. He impresses me as
fine fellow; a man of action and AFFAIRS:
a man of head and heart. In point OF
birth and breeding. I suppose we must
ocratic days the new men are coming
to the front and must be reckoned with
politically and socially"
During this didactic speech. delivered
in Sir Arthur's most deliberate manner.
Stella slid off the chair arm ana edseo
toward the door,
II am SO glad you feel that way. she
said as she turned the handle ana
then nodding saucily at her brother.
"he Is coming to see you this morning!
and with a whisk of drapery she was
gone.
Sir Arthur preserved his gravity for
a moment, and then. with his favorlte
chuckle. said half aloud:
Another addition to the family, l
suppose"
a father for his only daughter in mar
riage: but when the guardian of the
girl happens to be her brother, and
rather younger than the sutton himself.
the task of the latter is not whit less
embarrassing.
But Kane found the baronet disposed
to meet him half way-perhaps because
of his general liking for the man. So
when, after the usual salutations and
inquiries. he came to the point simply
and directly with:
"As the head of your family. Sir
Arthur. am come to ask your sanction
to your sisters engagement to me-" the
baronet smiled and said:
Yes. I received a hint to that effect
this morning, coupled with a command
that I was not to go out. Well Mr..
Kane. what has the culprit to say for
himself? You know it's pretty seri-
Gus matter to rob brother of his only
sister. particularly when that brother
Is a bachelor
1.-THE only extenuation I can plead. Sir
Arthur, is that the lady will be making
another poor bachelor the happiest man
on earth"
the baronet. 'I can have nothing to say,
except that do not know any ono to
whom I would sooner trust Stella's
happiness" And SO saying. he offered
his hand.
1.-THE lawyers can attend to the settle
ments. I suppose" he continued. land
from what I have seen and heard of
your resources. Mr.. Kane. opine there
Is little danger Of your wife ever COM
ing to want"
this opportune moment Richard strolled
Here. Rick" exclaimed Sir Arthur,
you are Just in time to be introduced
10 your future brother-tn-law. Shake
hands and congratulate each other"
As Rick came forward his manner
was most cordial. The mornings rec
objections of the night before had ap-
parently left no unpleasant taste, and
he took Kane in all seriousness and
sincerity for what he appeared to be.
See what comes of my leaving
home" he said. ruefully. Il find the
family running at loose ends when l
return and my little sister about to be
carried of into captivity. But you have
my sincere congratulations and good
wishes. Mr.. Kane l wish our acquain-
lance had begun little earlier out
yonder. I rather think you and 1 to-
gether could have pulled of some big
things"
Kane could only bow his acknowl-
edgments, as was perhaps natural un-
der the circumstances. and was GER
tainly safest.
Rick knew. out Of his own expert
ence. what the other would wish next.
and said. tactfully. with a quiet smile
lifting the corner OF his tawny mus
tache:
You'll hnd Stella arranging her
flowers In the morning room and keep