Evening star., 1921-07-01

NEFFECTUAL WOOING.
.At last~ wrayson said to nimsei1'
almost under his breath. shall we
have a hanson. Louise. or do you
care for a walk!
"A walk, by all means" she an
swered hurriedly. TT is not far IS
it?'
"A mile-a little more perhaps, ne
answered. You are sure that you are
not tired?"
.arired only Of sitting still" she an
swered. I'VE had a delightful cross
ing. This way. isn't it?'
They left the Grosvenor Hotel
where Louise, with Madame de Mel
balm, had arrived about an hour ago.
and turned towards Battersea- Louise
began to talk. nervously, and with
yery obvious desire to keep the con-
yersation to Indifferent suo1ectS
wrayson humored her for some time.
They spoke of the journey suddenly
determined upon by Madam de Mel
balm on receipt Of his telegram. Of
the beauty of st. Etarpe. of the won
derful temperance of her brother. .,
Il can scarcely realize even now
she said, that he is really alive. He
is so altered. He seems oinerent
He has gone through good deal''
Wrayson remarked.
She sighed.
poor Duncan she murmured.
He is very much to be pitied,'
wrayson said seriously. Il. at any
rate, can feel for him."
He turned toward her as he spoke.
and his words were charged with
meaning. She began quickly to speak
of something else, but he interrupted
ar .,,;,, =. e,;d ";s Jnndon so far
from St Etarpe?"
what do you meau?" she asked.
Il think that you know very well,
he answered. II am sure that you
do. At St Etarpe you were content
to accept what, believe me. is quite
inevitable. Here-well. you have been
doing all you can to avoid me, haven't
you?"
Perhaps" she admitted. "St. Etarpe
was an interlude. I told you so. You
They entered the park, and Wray-
son was silent for a few minutes. He
led the way toward an empty seat.
Let us sit down." he said' and
talk this out"
She hesitated.
sI think" she began, but he In
terrupted her ruthlessly.
IF you prefer it, I will come to the
Baroness with you" he declared.
She shrugged her shoulders and sat
VERY we'll" she said. "but I warn
YOU that am in bad temper. I am
hot and tired and dusty. We shall
probably quarrel"
He looked at her critically. She was
a little pale. perhaps. but there was
nothing else to indicate that she had
Just arrived from a journey. Her
dress of dull black glace silk was
cool and spotless. her hat and veil
were immaculate. Always she had
the air of having just come from the
hands Of an experienced maid From
the tips of her patent shoes to the
fall of her veil she was orderly and
correct.
at takes two" he said. "to quarrel
I shall not quarrel with you. All that
ask from you is a realization of the
fact that we are engaged to be mar
ried"
She Withdrew the hand which he
had calmly possessed himself of.
I'VE are nothing Of the Sort" she
declared.
He looked puzzled.
Perhaps" he remarked. IT forgot
TO mention the matter last time I
saw you. but I quite thought that
YOU would take 1t for granted. In
case was forgetful. please let me i'm
press the fact upon you now. We
are going to be married, and very
shortly. In fact. the sooner better"
OF her own free will she laid her
hand upon his, He fancied that be:
hind her veil the tears had gathered
in her eyes.
Dear friend" she said, softly, Il