Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-17


sisted of a young man and two elderly
ladies. The young man was slim anf
elegant. keavns envied him his sum
ness and youth. He glanced at kearn'
in passing but the ladies would no.
..5cre his attention with any one else
"a i:o;lced tRc;: subtle protests
eyaiast the rowing of his gaze ana al
cnce made amends, escorting them &c
the lift with the greatest courtesy
They took leave of him with conde
menslon, masking usefulness, Thef
hs returned to the lounge. There ms
approached the gentleman of so.
Excuse me" said he. Are you MI
Henry Kearns?"
II am" said Mr.. Kearns ratheI
stIfiy.
'T thought l couldn't be mistaken
You're so like your photographs. In
your niece's husband--Nick USHER.
Not Nickr exclaimed Kearns, who
having been abroad for several years
lad never seen his nephew-in law
.'Sit down, do. I'm so glad you spoke
to me. How's Cora?"
Very well. thanks. so far as
know"
They sat side by side and talked OF
matters entirely devoid of interest T.
either of them, each estimating the
other.
And who were your guests?
Kearns asked.
"They weren't my guests was
theirs. Just a couple OF clients.
pause. Then Nick. continued. You're
going down to Cander?"
Almost Immediately"
oh. This afternoon" Nick went
on in a confidential tone. II should
have liked chat with you, but can't
stop now. Sorry"
See here" Uncle Henry burst out
"Dine with me tonight. I'll go to Can
der tomorrow morning.
FISHER thought: This Is the FELLOW
Cora takes after-always changing his
plans" He said aloud. It's awfuiiy
decent of you. But / couldn't. No.
''Oh. stuff, my boy" Kearns insisted
"It simply doesn't matter whether
so to Camden today or tomorrow OF
next year. I'll expect you about g.
Here. And bring Cora. / ought II
Rave let her know was in town. But
you know how things slide"
Afraid Cora can't come. The FACT
Is. I believe she's engaged tonight.
Something wrong" Kearns thought
a. he said, well, come alone, then"
II suppose you couldn't make it half
past s?'' Nick suggested.
"of course could" said Kearns
aloud. and to himself, I'm in for
something"
UNJow," said Henry Kearns sympa
thetically, we're beginning to
know each other. Let's talk straight.
shall we-Nick?"
The walters had withdrawn. And
Henry had led the conversation to
Nick and his business, and then to MS
wife, and the husband had admitted
domestic friction.
"Your marriage isn't quite a sue
cess. putting 1t crudely?"
That's right" admitted NICK.
Cora hasn't left you. by any
ehance?" Uncle Henry asked.
No" Nick hesitated.
Henry Kearns passed cigar box to
his guest.
Take fresh cigar. Let's hear the
trouble"
"Oh! It's difficult to describe. There
are a million things, you know"
Yes" said Kearns. II know there
are a million things; there always are
Tell me one--the last one.
II willr' The young husbands tone
was decided. "I'll tell you the last
one. You know she wants to CAD all
the time. 1 took her to the Legation
Club last week. At IL o'clock / said
to her, Look here. my girl. We must
be hooking it. I've got days work
ahead Of me tomorrow. and even as
it is, I sha'n't be asleep before ]
o'clock Mind you. she sleeps until
10 or IL o'clock. after en- evening out,
but ! must be up at Z. as usual. "na'
about it,"
"Quite, quite" Uncle Henry encour'
aged. "She jibbed. eh?"
"of course. She said we might just
stay a little longer; she was quite nice
about It, Now, you asked me to tell
Won and I'm doing it. 1t may souno
like nothing, but-well, at 1890 l SAID
to her, Now what about going home!
Then she said late night now ana
then would do me world OF good.
Mustn't get into a rut. AT 1 O'CLOCK
told her was going home. Then
she came with me. And 1t always
takes her hours to undress. She came
into my room to see If her vanity case
was in my coat pocket. This was at
3 o'clock. OF course, that woke me up
ana WA had a scene that lasted until
after 4. When got up at thought
It would do her good to waken her
She was sound asleep, but I woke her
up all right. Never more surprised In
her life. 1 said she might like to know
how ii felt to be walked up when you
wanted to sleep. She couldn't think OF
anything to say in reply. and ! walked
out. Well, that's one thing-only one
thing"
II suppose there's nothing / car
do?" Henry's conscience compelled
him to suggest.
TITS good of you. But doubt Il
H.. - H. A4AA
was much relieved.) "Ah! Well
Things may settle down. I don't know
why I should bother you like this
You must excuse me-"
IT suppose she doesn't happen to
have taken fancy to anybody else?
Henry kearns timidly suggested. A
daring suggestion.
mo, don't think it's that. It's
veil, what's the use? You've been
very nice about 1t"
- $50
KEARNS left the train the mex
N afternoon at Camden and passed
up the street to his house. the Pome
granates. 1t was the largest in the
village. 1t stood back a dozen feet
from the road, and the intervening
space was populated with lilies II
bloom.
Nobody to be seen. True, he hat
only telegraphed that he would prob
ably arrive some time that afternoon
Then his ear caught the sound Of
feet. He turned. A young woman ir
flowing fawn dustcoat was standing or
the steps. She hesitated. appeared t
wish to retreat, but with a gesture ap
preached him. A dark. handsome mar
was following her. AS she came near
er, he noticed that she was rather agi
tated.
"Uncler she cried. "I'd no idea-'
Yes. she was excessively perturbed
The man had stopped.
Come along" she called sharply t.
the man. This IL Uncle Henri,
Kearns"
This WAS Cora. In the firsf moment,