Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-04

sion:
"Bv and by she told me that
~ she understood all about my
an pride, but that it wasn't right,
and that she had gone to your mother
with the letters and the ring /
think I must have gone mad then.
felt like somebody In a dreadful
nightmare. 1t seemed to me that 1t
wouldn't do any good for me to do or
saw ANYTHING. You know how that is
in dreams, that helpless feeling when
YOU talk and no one hears you!
That's how / felt. | blurted out that
IT was all a lie. But she had found
the ring and the letters She wouldn't
believe me. l tried-oh. ] did try to
convince her what a hideous mistake
she had made But il was of no use.
And while l was standing there try
ing to think what to do your mother
sent for us. l meant to go ana tell
the truth I swear 10 you l did mean
TO! / told my mother | was going TO.
She told me to wait till l saw how
happy they were and I'd see how cruel
it was to let my pride keep me from
admitting the truth. But even when |
started out l meant TO tell the truth.
Then-then l saw them! And they
were happy in me! / could feel 1t!
/ was all they had left of you! That
was the way they felt. l could tell It.
/ was nearly distracted. Their KIND
ness was so sweet to me. And this
house-why, it seemed just like COM
ing home to set foot in this house.
And l thought If tell them the truth.
then / shall have to tell them about
forgetting the letters. And they will
not even be friends of mine. And
thought, what does If matter, anyway?
The man l was engaged to and you
were both dead, So-so--I let the lie
Lat hill 7
girl you were in love With
Still no word from Jack, no glimpse
of his Swallowed eyes.
"Well?" His voice at last.
That's all!'
What would he say to her now? She
felt faint, dizzy.
do you hate me now?" she whis-
pered miserably.
She wanted to die She wished with
all her heart that she might shut her
eyes and never open them again. In
voluntarily she spoke aloud. I've
been punished enough" she cried.
There was movement. He was
going to leave her! Without a word!
He was going to walk out OF her life
without a word
They were all going to leave her
without a word, She was too low to
be noticed All this had been for
nothing. She had shamed, Inundated
herself unspeakably and they had not
q word of comfort for heri She flung
up one hand as though to hold away
some dreadful vision of the future
And a great blacknesS came down and
covered everything!
Judy came to herself slowly, with
a bewildered sense of confusion and
trouble. Where was she? Whose
arms were holding her close and care
fully? Whose was the gentle face
bent above hers?
She gave a little struggle, sighed.
Precious, stupid cEildr' said a ca
ressing voice. BE still! Everything
is all right
She knew that voice Where had
she heard it before?
where am ~" she said family.
AT home, darlingest, And perfectly
safer'
At that she sat up straight. 1t was
IN Jack Darien's arms she had been
lying. And it was Mrs. Darien's face
that was looking into hers with ten
der smile!
"oh. you are good! You are kindF'
she breathed softly. She stood up.
Her cheeks burned. II am more
ashamed than you will ever know
she said gravely. 'I have only one
excuse, and 1 must tell you that even
though 1t shames me forever and for
ever. When lent myself to the lie
really thought 1 loved you. / remem-
bered our talk at my mothers exhibit
ton, and the little chat had with
you at the benefit. ] had loved you
when you were little-and / still
thought / cared for you. That Is my
excuse! / can only say / am sorry.
And now-If you will let me go, please,
This-this is very hard for me"' The
last was spoken IN a shaken, plead
ing tone.
Jack Darien moved toward her a
little. Couldn't we just let things go
on as they are?" he asked her. The
mockery was gone from his voice, his
smile. II am very well satisfied with
things as they are! Suppose-we try
it?"
Judy gave him her eyes then, clear
and grateful. TIT is sweet of you
to say that"' she stammered. "It is
like the little boy / knew" Suddenly
she laughed, and her laughter was as
sweet as the music of thousand little
bells. You are loaning me a hand
kerchief again, aren't you, when am
being put out of your garden?"
Mrs. Darien spoke in the little pause.
Judy, dear, no one is putting you out
of any garden! We all love you. We
would all be glad If you would stay
You heard what lack said? only
want to add to that that / would be
very glad to have you as my daugh-
ter, Judy! You've made a place for
yourself in my heart. VIII you stay?"
A new poise had come over Judy.
When she spoke her voice was light,
happy. II wish I could say yes" she
said, "but-but l can't! l thank you
all for what you have done for me and
most of all for your kindness. your
forgiveness. I--shall always love that
and remember it! But 1 must gor'
At the steadiness and surety of her
tone Jack Darien WINGED She saw