Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-28

awfully fond Of him this Fall" said
Edith.
Hes darling"
Ariel put her head In the door. I'm
going to Miss Wallis now. I'll be back
early"
"Dick will be gone when you come
back!"
IT know 1t. said good-by to him."
Ariel looked very pretty in her dark
blue coat and snug blue hat. She came
in. kissed Gail, kissed Edith. IT don't
want to go!" she said with q weary
sigh.
IT hate to have you," Gail said az
fectionately.
Gail" Edith asked when Ariel had
gone, Ibid she get anything from
Van?"
Not that shs told me-"
After a silence Gail reused herself,
stiffiy and drowsily. Il told Dick I'd
start packing his bag for the trip" she
said with an exultant rise at her heart.
Well miss him"
"Oh, won't wei"
Edith yawned agonizingly. Gail
crossed the hall to Dicks room to find
him done with his packing and ready
for good-bys. He looked almost hand
some as he pulled on the new gloves
that Edith had not been too self-con-
scious to give him, If Gail had
You're worrying about this easel"
Edith accused him. For he seemed
unusually grave.
mo. Yes, I'm kind of worried" Dick
said.
"Ariel's gone to the Walls and Phil
isn't back. Sam!" Gail called. Come
out and say good-by to Dick"
IN only be gone two weeks" Dick
said, with a curiously distracted, almost
an anxious look.
II think we ought to kiss him good
by on Christmas night" Edith said
giddily in rare mood of daring.
For answer his arm went about her
and he kissed her so heartily that she
emerged breathless and protesting.
Then it was Calls turn.
The clean-shaven hard cheek was
against her own, his tremendous grip
lifted her, held her shoulders tight;
she felt weak, helpless; she drank the
deliciousneSs of that first kiss as If 1t
were draught Of heady wine. For an
instant she was his, dazzled and
ecstatic. Then. painting, laughing, she
was squarely on her feet again, still
close to him.
well, Edith! The next time you
have a bright idea, you might take Dick
and me into your counsels!"
Don't worry-about anything that
comes up. Gail" Dick was saying,
rather confused and GREATNESS himself.
IN be back in few days. Every
thing will come out all right!''
He was gone. They heard the engine
start and laughed at each other as they
wandered down to the kitchen.
Allow me to be the first to con-
graduate you on your exquisite man
ners. Miss Edith Lawrence!"
We'll, I don't care!" said Edith I'M
ashamed. His mother isn't here; he's
all alone, and such a darling!"
Edith and Sam had tea and cold
turkey. But Gail. although she sat
with them at the table, was feeding on
finer food and could not touch their
tangible viands. Her mouth-her whole
being still pulsated to Dicks grave,
hard. definite kiss.
Phil came in at and they all talked
idly until the clock amazed them by
striking 10. Then every one was up at
once and Gail went to the telephone. II
Ariel was as late as this. Phil must go
get her. Poor Phil. who looked so tired!
Let me run upstairs, Gail Edith
pleaded, land see if she hasn't slipped
in and gone to bed She can't be at
the Walls this late"
shes there if old man Vail has got
started on the Civil War" Sam NUT
tered.
They were still laughing at his tone
when Edith came downstairs with
letter in her hand and whitened face.
1T was on her pillow, Gail"
What" Gail whispered. without
moving her eyes from Edith's she tore
open the sealed envelope.
She's gone!" Phil said.
"Eloped with Van!" Sam suggested.
Read it" Gail whispered, hand
ing the written sheet to Phil.
Phil read it slowly, aloud:
Gail. dearest, and all of you, for