Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-09

be appearing to a girl like Pat, a girl
who had been everywhere and met all
sorts Of men-glib, dashing men; suave,
ingratiating men; men OF poise and
SAVIOR faire, who could carry themselves
with swagger. An aching humility
swept over him.
And yet she had come here tonight
to see him. He was trying to think
of some remark that would show his
appreciation of that divine beneyolence,
when she spoke again.
johnnie, let's go out on the moat."
Johns heart was singing like one OF
the morning stars The suggestion was
not one he would have made himself,
for it would not have occurred to him,
but. now that 1t had been made, he saw
how excellent it was. He tried to say
so, but words would not come to him.
They walked in silence down the yew-
hedged path. 1t was very dark here,
and even the CLEAN of white that was
Pat had become indistinct.
"Johnnie?"
"Yes?"
He heard her utter little eXclama-
ton. Something soft and scented
stumbled against him, and, for an in
slant, he was holding her in his arms.
The next moment he had very properly
released her again, and he heard her
laugh.
Sorry" said Pat. 81 stumbled"
John did not reply. He was incap-.
able of speech. That swift moment of
his mental turmoil LUMINOSITY now he
perceived what was causing his lack OF
eloquence. It was the desire to kiss
Pat, to reach out and snatch her up in
his arms and hold her there.
He stopped abruptly.
Whats the matter?"
Nothing" said John.
He had heard stories. In stories girls
drew their breath in sharply and said
"Oh, why must you spoil everything like
this?" He decided not to spoil every
thing. Walking warily, he reached the
little gate that led to the boathouse
steps and opened it with something of
a flourish.
BE careful" he said.
What Off" said Pat. It seemed to
John that she spoke trif1e fatty.
These steps are rather tricky"
"Oh!" said Pat.
He followed her into the punt, op-
pressed once more by a feeling that
something had gone wrong with what
should have been the most wonderful
night of his life. Girls are creatures of
moods, and Pat seemed now to have
said nothing as he pushed the boat out,
and remained silent as it slid through
the water with little tinkling ripple,
bearing them into world of stars and
GOODNESS, where everything was still and
the trees stood out against the sky as
If carved out of cardboard. Then, some
where by the little island where the
birds nested, something leaped noisily
in the water.
Pat sat up.
THAT would have excited father"
she said. II know he's dying to get out
here and have another 60 at the pike,
Johnnie, do wish somebody could stop
this absurd feud between him and Mr..
Carmody. It's too silly. know father
would be all over Mr.. Carmody, If only
he would make some sort of advance.
After all, he did behave very badly. He
might apologize"
John was thinking that whoever tried
to make his uncle apologize for any
thing had a job on his hands
Uncle Testers peculiar man." he
said
But he might listen to you"
He might" said John doubtfully.
We'll. will you try? Will you 60 to
him and say that all father wants is
for him to admit he was in the wrong?
Good heavensi It isn't asking much
of q man to admit that when he's
nearly murdered somebody"
I'll try"
Hugo says Mr.. Carmody has gone
on his head, but he can't have gone
far enough of not to be able to see
that father has right to be offended
at being used as q dug-out against
dynamite explosions. Will you do YOUR
best, Johnnie? Don't just let things
slide as II they didn't matter. I tell
you, it's rotten for me. Father saws I
mustn't speak to you or Hugo or Mr..
Carmody. He's just a curse on the
Hall It's one Of those comprehensive
curses, taking in everything from the
family to the mice in the kitchen, and
I tell you I'm fed up. This place has
always been just; like a home to me,
John paused In the act Of dipping his
paddle into the water
a; and you have always been
Just like brother :"
John dug the paddle down with a
vicious jerk.
". and, II father thinks It
doesn't affect me to be told mustn't
come here and see you, he's wrong.