Evening star., 1923-05-23


the world alone. The thought that he
had made ample provision for her flu
ture did not quite stifle tae sting OF
conscience which was somehow creep
ing in. BTavado must carry him
through this distressing scene.
Both Clairena and ] will never
cease to bless you for what you have
done for u.s." he murmured. You
must let me make all the final ar
rangements. When we reach port,
shall have arranged with the cap
tain to accompany you to one of the
city's finest hotels until l send word
to you to meet me at my attorneys
office. and sign the papers. / assure
you. Clairena will be your lifelong
friend and debtor. l have not the
least doubt she will insist upon TAX
ing you to her own home, she is so
noble. hearted
He did not note the despair on Jill
Belts face, and that every word was
like the thrust OF a sword TO her al
ready bleeding heart. She had made
nothing for her to do now. but leave
him. She made up her mind not to
see him again. She would not be on
deck when the steamer docked to
see him greet his love. witnessing
the joy of their reunion. She knew
he would take beautiful Clairena in
his arms and hold her close to his
heart
You will always be in Clairena's
prayers, and in mine he went on
gr&vely. The words stuck in his
throat, he could say no more.
The moonlight falling on il-Betts
face intensified it's tragic beauty
You are goading me to madness,
she said. catching her breath hard;
81 can stand-no--more:
She Swayed forward and would
have fallen II he had not reached out
his arm caught and steadied her.
BE brave. Jil-Bett." he muttered.
looking away from her. annoyed with
himself at the weakness he was dis
playing.
Il am trying to be-" she answered
looking up at him with a quivering
little attempt at smile. more pitt
full to behold than tears.
What seems hard to go through
now. you will see in after years was
for the best"
"In-after-years." She repeated
the words under her breath. There
would be no after years for her. How
could one live with a broken heart IN
ones bosom? She felt that ere the
beyond sorrow. up with her young
mother. her father land her poor old
misguided grandfather, who had done
what he did for the best. She would
be beyond earthly sorrows and
erieving for an earthly love. There
would soon be no need for her TO
sign papers TO part him from her: he
would be freed by higher. sterner
power.
can l feel that it is now all ar r..
ranged satisfactorily between us!
he asked.
She nodded assent.
words cannot tell how deeply
grateful I am to you. dear little girl:
She could not answer she could
only look up at him through her
tears.
come. let me take you as far as
the cabin. Jil-Bett."
He caught her little hand: it was
as cold as II would ever be In dean.
1t was their last moment together
in this world. He was most anxious
to shorten it. She was praying
heaven to give her just few mo-
ments more with him. 1t was not SO
much to ask; she loved MIN aed
than anything the world held, ana
she was giving him UP to another;
IL was like tearing the living, Deai
ing heart from her bosom. Death is
life. ,.. o., i, =.
ha said at am going in search of the
purser to learn if there is wire
less for me- am getting ANXIOUS
over it. His office will close for the
night very soon now.
He seemed to have torsotten en
tirely how much that moment meant
come" he urged. as she made no
to leave him.
"It is goodnight - and = good
bye" she inquired, rather thah SID 'eu
stated :. . r,ood
He nodded assent. Yes: II is good
rye 70 which ! add. God bless you.
He had not intended TO offer her
caress. but she looked so very
fcrlorn and helpless stanaihs tneLc' :,I,
that involuntarily he drew her INTO
of his arms.
He meant to hold her there onlN
long enough for her to gather hcr-
self together. as it Were. He was
surprised that she nSsfIsd cb,iS who G5ose had
found shelter on trusted bosom.
He held here there for an instant.
bending mechanically to the good
bye kiss for which she vas holding
up her lips.
hoy came in search of him. After
q loud "ahemw to warn them of his
he advanced. "a wireless
dispatch for you. sir" he said. hand
ing him an envelope
breaking the seal he quickly drew
out the slip Of paper it contained.
running his eyes rapidly over its
1T is from-the girI--you will
marry. she murmured piteously,
looking up anxiously into his face
There was no need to stife con-
science further. He. laughed Gym
icaliy. his lips curling. Then he
drew Jil-Eett into his arms. saying |;
softly: I'VE will read it together, !
dear.
He spread il out carefully. Every |
word was distinctly visible in the !
their. eyes Travelled over the few
lines which were as follows:
Colonel Vail. Mr.. Edward Thorne /
and Mrs. Clairena Thorne wish you a
safe journey home.
"(signed5 COLONEL VAIL,
Jil-Bett looked fearfully into his
face. She expected to see him go
been dealt him. She had grasped the !
al once: the girl he loved. /!
the beautiful Clairena. had welded |
another in his absence.
He looked down at Jil-Bett. meet !
ing her gaze. He was smiling
This Intelligence has by no means
broken my heart, nor caused it one
tumultuous pang. never realized. |
! am to the girl you We're |
so willing to give me up to. Your
heroic behavior. Jill Bett. caused me
to think hard. I did not want you to
give me up. little wife. 1 did not |
realize until then that my heart and
happiness were in your Keeping"
Together they stood in the silver
moonlight, while the steamer sped
onward to her goal through the star
Strewn waters
Later the vessel sent in to the
newspapers list of her passengers
by wireless
The next morning. just as the
steamer was passing the statue of
Liberty, Clairena's eye in glancinp
over the morning paper, caught siehf !
of the list. Heading it were:
Jay Marmaduke Smith and Wife "
THE END.