Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-27

not frown upon such an overture TO
intimacy. He did so. She took his
right hand in her own left hand. She
squeezed it gently. Then she patted
it. A base, crude, material person
would have judged that the lady was
NOT averse to Irritation. But man
like Roderick could tell that behind
this physical manifestation was only
sweet, sisterly gentleness. He felt
honored, exalted, that she understood
him so well. that she knew he would
place no low Interpretation on her i'm
pulsive action.
I'm an old woman she said. but
still | thought"
Old" lie was incredulously indig
nant. "Why, think that you're just
right"
You only say that to fiatter me"
she said.
Markham together l thought that you
were his daughter" cried Roderick
One guesses that Roderick Is some
what unskilled in the playing of inter
ludes such as this; there is a certain
lack of suavity in his touch. One
gathers. too. that the lady is one who
cares lttle about style: it is the effect
which she Graves. She may be an &C.
complished technician herself, but she
evidently finds il unnecessary to use
her learning now: nor does she seem
disgruntled at Roderick's lack of Hair.
She sighed, not honestly, gustily, as
Eloise might after a hard set of ten
mis-. but as one whose eXhalation is
more of the soul of the lungs.
Mr.. Markham is considerably older
than | am" she admitted. But I'm
considerably older than you"
Al Il hot
take me for your son." said Roderick.
He thought that the remark held a
certain taciturn wit. Yet he was con-
scious Of a certain asperity in the
lady's manner. He tried to redeem
himself. II look lot older than l
am he declared. He became sud
denly daring People would be more
liable to think that / was your hus-
band than Mr.. Markham"
MRS. MARKHAM had invited
A'A Roderick to her house party for
a definite purpose. He was an eX-
tremely personable youth, and if there
was a heaviness in his speech and
manner one granted forgiveness be
cause of his good looks. She laughed.
gayly, indulgently. What a silly
idea"
Yet there was nothing of rebuke for
his presumption in her tone. He took
courage unto himself. Il don't think
it's so silly" he dared.
Then you're silly" she told him.
Her hand touched his again, fingered
moment She breathed deeply, but
more lightly. Roderick thought, than
would have been possible to any other
woman whom he knew. Her breath
seemed perfumed How it happened
he never knew, but suddenly their lips
met and chung together.
Her hands went finally to his breast
and pushed him away. II told you
that you were silly" she said. You
mustn't do that again"
Noble woman, Kindly, generous
soul. Miracle of understanding, She
forgave him! He could tell it by her
voice. despite the rebuke of her words.
Il won't. Mrs. Markham. l give YOU
my world don't know how 1t hap
pened--I meant to hide my love-"
You mustn't ever mention it
again." she told him. Here you've
spoiled a lovely friendship"
Don't say. that" he whispered. He
was in an agony of despair. He had
sinned outrageously against the d.
vine purity Of this woman. He had
thought himself master of his own
emotions: he had sneered at men who
had yielded to such impulses as had
just mastered him: he had thought
himself strong and now he knew him.
self to be weak. And yet, as his be-
wildered brain strove for clarity of
thought, it seemed to him that he re-
membered. that her lips had returned
his kiss, that she had not been averse
to his embrace. He put the hideous
thought from him. and the fact that
he thought 1t hideous is sufficient
proof of his youth. For he could not
conceive it possible that the lady of
his alteration could possibly have
yielded to an impulse similar to his
own. She was too chaste for anything
like that. And that she had yielded
to no impulse but had carefully con-
trived the happening was something
that would never of it's own volition
have entered the head of Roderick.
III tell you what I'll do" she told
him I'll forget that 1t happened.
Will YOU do the same?"
He met her blue eyes bravely. Il
can never forget" he told her. This
moment shall live forever in my heart.
know that my love is hopeless, but /
shall cherish it just the same"
'I shan't mind that" she breathed.
"Only you must try to forget. Some
day you'll meet a lovely girl and be
happy with her. Roderick's lips
curled in a sneer at the possibility.
He would dedicate his whole life to
her, and some day when he was old
and gray and the State and Nation
had honored him with their highest