The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
THE LOVE AFFAIR OF A HOMELY GIRL
by JEAN LOUISE DE FOREST

it would keep me from going on try
ing to win your love. Is there some
one eIse?"
Yes" Rebecca answered softly.
there is"
Tom averted his face and she laid
her hand on his arm in quick sym
pathy.
Don't feel too badly" she said;
'it is hard for me as well. / am GO
ing to ask you to be my friend, my
real friend and my confdsnt No
one else KNOWS what / shall tell you.
1t is Martin Lewis whom love. and
he has determined never to marry
because Of his blindness"
Had Rebecca not known that
Martin loved her. she would not
have been so ready with her conf
dence.
Toms chivalry rose to her need,
and he forgot himself.
Poor little Becky" he said. poor
little girl" He patted her arm
gently.
Come back to the house. I won't
ever pester you again. but We will
go right on being friends"
His voice sounded queer and
choked
"A woman sometimes needs a man
friend, you know" he added, "and.
il you ever do. you can count on
me"
Rebecca gave an exclamation:
There come DR.. Ewing and Mar
jorie. Let US step inside so that
they won't see us"
Quickly they hid themselves with
in the summer-house and peered out
between the latticework as the un-
conscious pair neared them. Bige's
arm was around Marjorie. and. just
before they reached the patch Of
moonlight. he kissed her. Then they
separated and strolled leisurely to-
ward the house, a good three feet
between them.
"Somc One Happy
We'll. l am glad that some one is
happy said Tom. giving Rebecca
his arm. His voice broke Queerly.
though his tone was light, and Re
becca might easily have cried. had
she not remembered in time the
powder and rouge on her face. Such
trivial considerations break in often
upon the tragic moments Of our
lives.
As soon as Bige and Marjorie had
reached the house, they followed,
and then what had seemed but a
cluster OF vines that draped the far
ther side OF a laticed inclosure.
moved and resolved itself into
man.
1t was Martin Lewis.
He had not been aware Of their
approach until Toms words had
broken in upon his reverie. and then
it was too late to make his presence
known.
We'll, and what was the discov-
ery?" asked Maud blitheIy, as Tom
and Rebecca ascended the steps.
She was nightly afraid. She liked
Tom. Who could fail to like him?
Nevertheless, in her mind he figured
as the rival
Nothing" he answered. matching
his tone to hers. Miss Vanderpool
knew It already"
Maud's fears left her and imme-
diately she felt sorry for him. He
had been refused, as a matter Of
course. She could read it in his
face
Where is Martini" she asked
some fifteen minutes later. turning
suddenly to Rebecca. He hasn't
been here since you left"
But Rebecca was spared the ne
cessity of making an explanation.
for the notes OF a violin rose on the
night air. A hush fell upon the lit
tie group.
He promised to play" whispered
Rebecca to Maud. To herself she
added. HE must be feeling better"
Then her expression changed to
one of wonder. Could it be Martin?
The music was different from any TO
which she had ever heard him give
expression. without speaking again,
she glided softly along the hall and
peeped around the screen. The mu-
sician's back was toward her. but Il
was Martin-none other. Up and
down and across moved his bow
with rapid pulsation.
He reminded her of a bird CAROL
ing for pure exuberance of Joy.
Such staccato laughs and trilIs and
long-running cadences! She could
not recognize the selection. but she
loved it. 1t spoke of youth and
gladness. when IL was done he
plunged into Peer Gynt."
Rebecca stole quietly back to her
guests. who in spite of themselves
were beating time to the tramping
rhythm. Then Bige drew Marjorie
TO her feet and they began. on the
spur of the moment. weird pan
tomimic dance. while the rest
clapped. In the midst of 81 the
music ceased and Martin loomed up
in the doorway.
what is going on out here. ?"
his voice was brisk. He stood very
straight, and looked about him in a