Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-05

SIXTEENTH INSTALLMENT.
KRs. MOLLOY's prediction tina
M on the night Of Ridges annua
V dramatic and musical enter
4 / tsinment the hall would bt
completely emptied of its oc
cupantS was not, as it happened, liter
ally fulfilled A wanderer through The
stable yard at about the hour of II
would have perceived light in all up
per window, and, had he taken the
trouble to get ladder and climb liz
and look in. would have beheld Johr
Carroll seated at his table, busy with a
pile of accounts.
In an age so VIGOROUSLY avid OF
pleasure as the one in which We live
it is rare to find young man of such
sterling character that he voluntarily
absents himself from a village concert
in order TO sit at home and work; and
contemplating John, one feels quite a
glow. 1t was not as if he had been I'M
aware of what he was missing. The
vicar he knew, was to open the pro-
! Ceedings with a short address, the choir
would sing old English eleCS, the Misses
Vivien and Alice Pond-Pond were down
On the proGram for refined coon songs;
and. in addition to other items too
numerous and fascinating to mention,
Hugo Carmody and his friend. Mr.. Fish,
would positively appear in person and
render that noble example of Shakes
peare's genius. the quarrel scene from
"Julius Caesar" Yet John Carroll sat
an his room. working. Englands future
cannot be so dubious as the pesSimiStS
would have us believe while her younger
generation is made Of stuff like this.
John was finding in his work these
days a good deal of consolation. There
is probably no better corrective of the
pangs of hopeless love than real. steady
application to the prosaic details of an
estate. The heart finds it dicult TO ache
sts hardest while the mind is busy with
such items as col 8s sd, due TO MesSrs,
TRULY and Gaunt for fixing gas engine
or the claim of the Country Gentle
mems Association for E8 IS 4d for seeds.
Add drains, manure and feed of pigs
and you find yourself Immediately in an
atmosphere where Romeo himself would
have let his mind wander. John. as he
worked, was conscious of distinct
easing of the strain that had been on
him since his return to the hall. And
II at intervals he allowed his eyes to
stray to the photograph of Pat on the
mantelpiece, that was the sort of thing
that might happen to any young man,
and could not be helped.
1t was seldom that visitors penetrated
TO this room of his-indeed, he had
chosen to live above the stables in pref
erence to inside the house for this very
reason, and on Ridges big night he had
looked forward to an unbroken solitude.
He was surprised, therefore, as he
checked the account of the Messrs.
Vanderschoot & Son for bulbs, to hear
footsteps on the stairs. A moment later
the door had opened, and Hugo walked
in.
Johns first impulse, as always when
-. i 1t ,vsrsN - 1r1I
him to get out. People who when they
saw Hugo, Immediately told him to get
out generally had the comfortable feel
ing that they were doing the right and
sensible thing. But tonight there was
in his demeanor something so crushed
and forlorn that John had not the heart
to pursue this admirable policy. !
'Hullo," he said. Il thought you
were down at the concert"
Hugo uttered a short, bitter laugh,
and. sinking into a chair, stared bleakly
before him His eyeltds. like those Of
the Mona Lisa, were a little weary. He
looked like the hero Of a Russian novel
debating the advisability of numbering
a few near relations before hanging
himself in the barn.
II was" he said "Oh. yes, was
down at the concert all right"
Have you done your bit already"
on just after the wears short address"
Wanted to get the worst over quick, |
eh?"
Hugo raised a protesting hand. There |
was infinite sadness in the gesture.
Don't mock, John. Don't jeer. Don't
jibe and scott. I'm broken man"
only cracked, l should have said"
Hugo was not attuned to cousinly |
badinage. He frowned austerely.
Less back chat" he begged. Il came /
here for sympathy. And a drink. Have F..
you got anything to drink"
There's some whisky in that cup
board
Hugo heaved himself from the chair,
looking more Russian than ever. John I
watched his operations with some con-
Germ.
Aren't you mixing it pretty strong?"
II need it strong" The unhappy |
man emptied his glass, refllled it, and /
returned to the chair. I'm fact, it's a |
point verging very much on the moot |
whether l ought TO have put any water /
IN it at all"
Whats the trouble?"
This isn't bad whisky" said Hugo |
becoming a little brighter.
Il know it isn't. What's the matter?"
The momentary flicker of cheerfulness
died out Gloom once more claimed |
Hugo for its own.
John. old man." he said. I'VE got |
the bird"
"Yes?"
Don't say 'Yes?' like that. as II you |
had expected IT," said Hugo. hurt. The |
thing came on me as a stunning blow. !
! was amazed. Astounded. Absolutely /
Gould I have knocked you down with
a feather?"
Il thought We we're going to be |
riot. OF course, mind you, we came on |
much too early 1t was criminal to bill |
us next TO opening. An audience needs /
careful warming up for an intellectual .
act like ours!"
What happened"
Hugo rose and renewed the contents !
of his glass.
There is a spirit creeping into the |
life of Vale he said, !
that I don't like to see. A spirit OF |