Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-25

that lay between them. Here was no
libertine, no predatory wolf who used
gifts of personal beauty, courtly expert
ence and mental endowments for the
furtherance Of selfish aims; but man
of her own class, q solid burgher, hon.
est, downright and of decent mind and
life. He might be unable to string
rhymes, but faith could be attached to
what he said; he might lack graceS of
person, but he was of solidity upon
which a woman could lean with conf
dence and trust.
He put forth hand and took one of
her own, which she relinQuished to him.
That hand of his might be squat and
freckled, a short-fingered paw ending
in gnawed f1ngernails. But it was
strong and honest; a hand that would
support woman and protect her, and
Johanna in all her life until this hour
had never needed protection and, there
fore, as 1t seemed to her, never valued
the features that held the promise of it,
She smiled gently, sadly. into his
stupidity masterful countenance.
"Pensive? Yes" she answered him.
There is no harm in thinking"
mo harm; but no profit. No good
ever came of it. And of what were you
thinking" His hand stroked hers.
"Of what? OF life"
"Life's to be lived, not thought about"
said Master Philip. ITO be lived hap
PLY
"If possible"
at must be made possible. I think
I can make your life happy, Johanna; l
know that you can make mine happy"
There was note of ca jolery In his voice
why do we wait, Johanna?. What is
there now to wait for? want you at
Middleburg." He leaned closer. II want
you so much, Johanna. I may be a
clumsy lout in some ways, and I've no
experience in dalliance to lend me a
lovers arts, but I love you, Johanna.
Why will you keep me w&ting?"
81 have no experience in dalliance to-
lend me a lovers arts, but love you,
Johanna"
The phrase echoed and re-echoed
through her mind, touching ray, jan
Cling chords in 1t.
She had been dazzled by the glitter
OF those arts Of which Philip confessed
the lack. 1t was an easy step in her
present state to assume an enduring
sincerity Of purpose where these arts
were lacking. BY no apter phrase could
Philip Danvelt have served his ends. He
set, as 1t seemed, his own solid worth
against the tinsel sparkle of meretri-
cious romanticiSm.
Almost she grew tender toward him,
convicted herself of injustice and harsh
ness In past opinions of him and be-
cause dimly aware that only In mar
rage could she find definite shelter
from such experiences as that which
she had suffered. The intentions of
him who wooed maid might be In
doubt, and by that doubt could a
maiden be betrayed; but the intentions
of him who wooed wife were clear
from the first word he uttered.
Philip offered her shelter, susie
nance. genuine affection and peaceful
security. What more could any mar
rage offer? What was there in all
the world to be preferred to this? And
so, in that hour Of reactions, she yield
ed, and thereby placed Philip more
deeply in the debt Of the Prince of
Guelders than he already stood or than
he could even guess. Anthony Egmont
won Johanna for him as he could
never have : On her for himself.
What Is there now to wait for, you
ask" she said, on q note whose bitter
ness escaped him. What, indeed?"
And abruptly she added: I'm keep
you waiting no longer, Philip"
"Ahl" he sucked In his breath in an
amazement which was even greater
than his satisfaction. When, Johanna?
Whefa?"
when you will, Philip" she
answered quietly.
Is, AT once, then. Let us say in two
weeks from now. That will leave time
to spare for all that's needed to pre-
pare"
She felt his breath hot upon her
cheek, caught the deep glow In his
green-hazel eyes, and something within