Evening star., 1923-04-17
BY LAURA JEAN LIBBEY

be wonderful trip for him. He had
always had longing to see that part
of the old-world, the description of
which in histories had SO deeply in
terested him. BE-. 1t seemed almost like
an unbelievable dream that his hopes
were to be realized.
There is something else about the
Bannocks which was told me-" re-
cerning the granddaughter, Jil-Bett,
who, they say, is the most beautiful
girl on the entire Katar coast. She
fascinated an--"
Hale raised his hand with a gesture
of annoyance. The girl did not in
terest him in the least. and he said
so. The time came when he regretted
that he had not listened to the as
toounding tale concerning Jil-Bett.
Meanwhile. the taxi occupied by the
stranger bowled swiftly onward. The
city,. lying behind, gradually grew
into an irregular line athwart the
sky, then disappeared altogether be-
hind the hills Of the dry country road.
The sun had we'll nigh set as he
reached his destination, stopping be-
fore an imposing entrance gate. A
broad paved walk led to a large white
house set some distance back in
grove Of fine old trees. He was not
expected, but had every right to be-
lieve he would receive very cordial
greeting-nay. much more. q loving
one-from his pretty biride-to- be. He
counted himself one of the luckiest
of men to have won the heart of
Clairena, Col. Wallis fair young daugh-
ter, triumphing over fully a score of
Jealous rivals. One-Thorne-had de-
clared he would not give up hope un-
til "Flairena turned from the altar
another mans Wife"
As the young man alighted from
the taxi he observed a car standing
just ahead. which he recognized.
"Thorne's here." he muttered in an
noyance, his brows meeting in a
frown.
At that instant he behald a very
pretty young lady in pink and white
null dress standing on the porch
and a man on the lower step, who was
lifting his hat in taking leave of her.
Neither observed him.
| The man turned, advanced hastily
down the walk as the other opened
the gate, ente.Ing. Both stopped.
The handshake with which they
| than cordial
| The young lady on the porch
watched them anxiously. She had not
! thought 1t possible that they would
meet-on this day of all others.
! Il had not thought to find you here,
| Thorne." remarked the newcomer
with touch of irony in his tone.
| Nor 1 you, Jay" returned Thorne,
not a little embarrassed at the unex-
pected encounter. II was passing,
and just ran in for moment"
| II expect to see you later" said
| Smith. touching his cap and moving
swiftly forward, mounting the steps
| with alacrity.
With a sneer on his lips not pleas
! ant to see. Thorne stepped into his
car. a cloud of dust soon hiding him
from view.
| Jay would have swept aside all
conventions and caught the young
] lady in his arms, but she drew back
with a pretty little laugh. shaking a
very dainty forefinger at him, a most
! charming blush of confusion suffusing
her fair face.
! THE time. the place and the dear
| girl!" he declared, gazing at her en-
raptured, thinking there was never
! fairer picture, than she made with the
last rays of the setting sun turning
her light brown hair to glinting gold,
deepening the faint pink in dimpled
cheek and lip, its sparkle reflected in
her lovely violet eyes.
"Clairena, my Clairena" he ex-
claimed. catching both of her futter-
ing little hands in his strong. firm
ones and raising them impulsively to
his lips. kissing them with all the
olden times, then attempting to draw
her toward him.
"Oh, aren't you dreadful"' wrench
ing her hands free and lodging the
outStretched arms, eloquent in
their mute appeal. You know every
window may have eyes peeping from
behind lace curtains. Please be more
circumspect. Do sit down"
TomorrOw-The Fickle Love of a
Woman.