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

come. she might not venture to trust
her strength to go through such an
ordeal; she might write instead: she
might not reply at all So II was with
no very hopeful feelings that Kane
made his way to the sorrowful tryst
Instead of Stella ne found Richard
pysart awaiting him. smoking long
cigar and Ticking the light snow from
his boots with a dog whip
Kane halted. in doubt as to his re-
ceptfon and of what might he coming
II WAS as he feared-he would not be
allowed to or speak with tho girl
Rick removed his cigar from his teeth
and came forward. 10 Kane's surprise
onering his hand. which the culprIt
Grtpped with fierce tenacity. a great
gulp in his throat the while In his
bruised and beaten state of mind the
cool nonchalance and semi-geniality ~
the others manner was like a pat on
the head to a pariah dog that has heeu<
uniformly kicked and cuffed all around
camp.
Il received your letter about tie
money" said Dysart. and I'm bound
to say that you've tried TO do the hand-x
some thing. as l told Sir Arthur u
can't quite make II out. Kane By'-
rights. suppose ought to hate you
and all that sort of thing. don't YOU
know. but for the life of me I'm not
able" and the speaker gave a dissatis-
fed sort of chu'ckle. Perhaps It's the
life out yonder: one gets used to giving
and taking hard knocks and running
all sorts Of risks, It's a part of the
great game. j won't say but what IL
I'd come up with you at the capo
there'd have been q lively sort OF reck-
oning between u.s. but somehow I can't
call you down here at home when we've
eaten each others salt and been such
uncommon good friends"
He paused and pulled on his cigar.
as II to give Kane chance to speak.
but all the latter's old audacity had
deserted him. and he paced slowly back
and forth by Kicks side. his gaze
clouded and his brain dulled.
Perhaps it's on account of Stella
Dysart went on. musingly. as il loath
to cease wondering at his own pacific
state of mind. She's hard hit. Kane
worse than any of us. The little wonla a
loves you with all her heart and soul
do not keep her from me" burs(
from the tortured breast of the other.N
II have no right to ask 1t. know. but
II do not see her II viii kill us both :"
Rick, sententiously. I'm up the same
tree myself" he continued with con-
scious laugh. and / know how it would
feel"
her." said Kane. Il know that's hope
less after what has happened; but"
Now. look here. Kane" interrupted
Rick. 'I'll undertake to square Sir
Arthur. and. seeing that I'm the in
much to say. Suppose Stella agrees to
marry you-in view of the facts you
wont want to live in England"
The world is wide" answered Kane.
raising his head. CLEAN of hope new
born in his eyes. Il dare not ask you
to be my friend, but / do ask you to
trust me! / have had a bitter lesson.
and have paid dearly for my crime"
Like most healthy and sane English
heroics or anything approaching a
scene. So he simply clapped the other
on the shoulder and said. bluff1y:
That's all right, old man. Goodbye
and good luck! Wait here and TIL send
Stella to talk to you"' And whistling
to his dogs, who had been nuzzling
each other by the old lych gate. Rick
STROBE away into the fast-gathering
dusk.
Soon Kane saw the little cloaked and
hooded figure approaching through the
private woodland path that led from
came toward him, her veil down. nor
would he seem to presume or pre1udge
her attitude by advancing to meet her.
Bitter sorrow and vain regret had
set their seal upon his finely chiseled
features. while affection unutterable
With an inarticulate cry she tottered
into his arms: shaking with sobs. her
head sunk on his breast.
With self-accusing words he strove
to soothe her, putting back the rebel
Hous tendrils Of hair that fringed her
temples. By degrees he calmed her
agitation. and poured balm into her
aching heart. He told her anew of his
undying love. and that it was because
of this ennobling passion he had school
ed himself to the confession which had
raised up a wellnigh impossible bar
rier between them.
IF 1 had not loved you so we'll. dear.
est" he concluded. II could not have
brought myself to face it
"And now 1 love you all the better"
she exclaimed. smiling upon him
proudly through her tears. Your
noble heart was revealed to me them
You must forget me. Stella" he
urged. trying to put her away from
him.
Never" she asserted. nesting the
closer to his side.
But leave England at once he in
sisted.
Then you must take me with you"
she cried, for / cannot live without
you!"
CTHE END)