Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-24

of that green stuff, please? How long
you two have been!"
Her stepfather seated himself by her
side, drawing her hand through his
arm.
1--WE had great many things to dis
cuss. Martin and l." he explained. Il
may have TO send him away TO see the
lawyers"
There was an instant cloud upon her
face.
He cannot 60" she declared we
need him there. I am frightened with
out him
we will manage to protect you If 1t
is necessary" Lord Ardrington assured
her. "On the other hand we may have
been alarming ourselves without cause.
Open some more windows, Mallowes."
he ordered, as the man came to remove
the coffee cupc.
There is a storm brewing my lord"
the butler warned him respectfully.
I'VE can close them quickly il there
is rain" Blanche remarked rising to
her feet. 1T is almost sitting in here -
II think that we will go on to the
gested. Come, my big guardian" she
added passing her arm through Mar
tins. IF you are there to protect me,
1 shall not be afraid of the thunder"
They passed out through the win
dows which MalloWes had just opened
and leaned over the edge of the terrace.
Immediately above them the sky was
clear. but the light in the park vas
ghostly and uncertain. In the far dis
lance were banks of black cloud, rivcn
already as they watched with vivid
streaks Of lightning. The tree tops
were bent with sudden breeze. They
could hear the wind soughing its way
| through the long strip of wood
we shall have the storm, all right"
Lord Ardrington remarked
L9urita was watching the lightning
with fascinated but disturbed gaze.
Il am afraid she whispered. Let
us walk. Martin-walk to the end of the
| terrace just once"
| He acquiesced without hesitation. She
| linked her hands together through his
| arm and leaned upon him.
| IF this is make-belief," she Whis-
pered, II rather like It, 1t is wonderful
to feel that one belongs to some one
big and strong. I am supposed to be-
| long to you am I not, MARTINI"
You certainly are" he answered,
| trying to keep his tone kindly but as
| matter-of-fact as possible This is the
| way we will have to behave IL ever you
| are claimed. You're better at it than
| l am"
Then you must practice" she
| laughed up at him, the storm appar-
emily forgotten, her spirits rising as
they moved farther away. shall I give
! you lessons, Mr.. Husband that -is-sup-
! posed -to-be?"
You'll have to give me a whole
course If I'm to be any good" he re-
piled.
TO begin with, then" she directed.
! you must put that great arm of yours
| around my waist"
How the mischief can 70" he de-
manded. Your stepfather is watching
us even now. Don't forget that I'm on
| trust"
Stupid" she murmured. Very well,
| then. We turn the corner of the tsrrace
| here Then no one will see It Is al
most dark there. Martin. You ~.ll find
! your courage"
1t isn't fair to tease me like this. "
/ he grumbled coming to a standstill.
/ Il shall take you back indoors"
! Her lip trembled
| What do you mean-not fair? ]
wish 1t. I wish that you go thSre
| with me. I wish that give you a
/ lesson"
| 1t was crisis even before he had
expected IT, Lady Blanche, however
bore down to the rescue.
"Laurita, she cried. indoors al
once! Can't you feel these raindrops?'
BY Jove, We shall be drenched!'
Martin exclaimed. I'll race you to the
window
| Laurita was of like a flash. feet
footed, her skirts flying around her in
| the clutch OF the sudden wind She
was through the window and dancing
| around the hall before Martin reached
| it. She clapped her hands gayly.
His Wedding Night.
Slow mani" she Knocked "Oh, Mar
| tin, Martin, We must make you move
| quicker than that. We must take you
! into one of the countries where the sun
/ and fire burn, where your heart beats
! faster and you follow where the wind
| ruSheS. as 1t did Just then
| She moved toward the gramophone.
! Blanche. who was Strolling about smok-
/ ing a cigarette, shook her head
mo go. my dear" she declared. I've