Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-28
MRS, DUANE'S SECRETARY
WRITTEN EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE EVENING
-s''a STAR BY h. H. HAvEMYER 5c'.'+
what is Phil reading?"

Mrs. Raymond tipped her head and look
ed. iptently at her brother. But evidently
her look was not satisfactory, for, after a
few moments, during which he continued
to stroke his mustache and gaze at the note
in his hand. she said: What in the world
are you reading, Phil?' Mrs. Duane &C.
cepts with pleasure Mrs. Raymonds kind
invitation for the evening of the 21st."
Mrs. Raymond was more perplexed than
ever. What did her brother find so interest
ing in a perfectly proper and formal note
of acceptance She continued her china
painting with just the shadow of line be-
| tween her pretty eyebrows. Presently he
came over and sat down on the divan, near
her table. Il should like to know the writer
of that note, Minchen. It's an accept
ance, so I'll see her tomorrow night.
A few moments later he sauntered out of
The room, whistling softly. When the por-
tier fell behind his tall figure Mildred Ray
mond put down the cup she had been paint
ing and leaned back with decidedly trou-
bled look on her pretty face. Phil was
subject Of much anxiety to her at times.
To be sure, she was considerably his junior
| and he had petted her all his life. She had
scarcely been out a year when she became
engaged to Jack Raymond. and, although
he continued the petting process as be-
mond while keeping all the sweetness and
daintiness of her girlhood, had developed
into very knowing little woman of the
world. holding undisputed sway among
| the upper ten, and having, moreover the
desirable reputation of being exclusive
Pnli often declared that they had changed
places and that she was at least ten years
ms senior in the greatness of her wisdom.
fter cniet care was her brother. She plain
iy saw that he was an extremely eligible
parti and worried herself extremely as TO
whom he should and should not marry
AS lor -Phll he showed the utmost indif-
ference to all such matters He had a com
portable income some little talent for
painting decided literary taste was a
hne lawyer, when he chose to practice and
a good all round fellow. He had studied
law al home that is to say, in New York
city, and art in Paris for couple of years
Where, he had learned little, but enjoyed
hlmsef immensely; written several notably
clever stories and illustrated them with no
| mean show of talent. He had made two
tripsa around the world; had spent some
time in India and other remote corners of
the earth. and at the age of thirty had set
tied down 10 his law practice. with an ex-
| cellent partner. Society ado-ed MIN and in
negligent way, he liked society. He was
courteous and attentive to all the fair sex
but 1t was said that he had never paid to
any woman serious attention, barring sew
eral firtaticns during his college days
a
| time.
just a. present he was enjoying his holi-
day with his sister in n pretty continental
city. where large number of English and
Americans were settled. He had been here
week but try as she might, his sister had
not been able to draw him any nearer the
social whirl than a daily drive with her in
The afternoon. Meantime she had sent out
cards Tor small reception. hoping to inter
| est her brother in one of the American
| girls who were at c.. She had not in
vited Beatrice Duane because she wanted
| to, but because she had to. She was not at
| all the woman for Phil and here he was in
| terested in her before he had met her and
| such thing with him meant more than il
| would. have meant with most men. All over
| a simple note. What could he have found
| in that note TO arouse his interest SOP In
| fact, so deeply did IL annoy her that had
there been any way of decently doing SO
| she would have put off her reception But
| then, as the wise little woman reflected it
| would only put off the evil day and whet his
| curiosity.
| The reception was over. It had been a
success, of course Mrs. Raymonds affairs
| always Were Her rooms had been full, but
| not crowded. there had been goodly
| sprinkling of celebrities. the house had
| rover looked lovelier the supper was perfect.
| and everything had gone smoothly. Yet as
| she threw herself back among the soft
| cushions in her boudoir her pretty eyes
| looked as though they might be the reser-
| voir of veNatious tears. 1T was too annoy
|
I have ever seen him pay to any one woman
| in my life. And Jack, who, at first, had
| been inclined to laugh at his wifes fears.
stroked his fair mustache and looked
During the following weeks matters did
| not improve. Chance favored Phil. for
| wherever he went, and he went out a great
deal now. he met the charming widow.
| Meanwhile Beatrice Duane who in addf-
| ton to her undeniable beauty, possessed a
| thorough knowledge of men, made what
| Mrs. Raymond considered Pills downward
path. an easy one. and he fell or rather
1 walked straight into the snares spread for
| him. He was not as wildly devoted as the
| young subalterns who followed in her train,
| but he permitted himself to be whirled
| along in her victoria occasionally, and al
ways danced and talked with her wherever
| he met her. 1t seemed to please him better,
| however, to stand in some inconspicuous
place, where he had a good view of her face
| and watched her closely And whenever he
watched her in this way. his sister. who
| watched him quite as closely noticed that
| his expression was one of deep study end
slight perplcxity rather than deep admira-
| ton or Wild jealousy.
| Mrs. Duane lived in an artistic little villa
| on the outskirts of the town. and her 3
| o'clock tea table was usually thronged
with her young admirers. 1t was a pet
| trick of hers to suggest to some favored
| Individual that he should come early and
then to be at home to no ore else Now,
| these little tete-a-tetes were dangerous to
| more Hdrueneu men IMAM the gay SUBJ
| alterns, for Beatrice Duane in a perfect
| tea gown lying back in a deep chair. COW
| cred with white fur. was a beautiful pic
| ture of luxury, and hes manner of convers-
| ing on such occasions was undoubtedly
| fascinating. Philip had found himself party
| to these tete-a-tetcs on several occasions.
| but had not yet been brought to the point
| of sending her flowers. books or verses, or
paying her any Of those pronounced atten-
| tons with which the young officers over
| whelmed her.
| Lent was approaching rapidly, and the
| whrl of festivity, like a whirlpool became
| faster and faster as II neared the vortex
down which it must plunge.
| 1t was Ash Wednesday morning and
| Phil Reddington lounged against the man.
| tel of his sisters boudoir, in his most at
| tractive attitude. How handsome he
| lc ol<s;. not a. day older than when he grad
| uated.' His sister was standing before
| him, drawing on her gloves. and as she
1 locked at him there was smile of genu-
| inc approval in her eyes. She had not
| looked at him with that smile for some
! time. He smiled back almost shyly, and
| then said slowly: "Minchen, 1 am not a
| school girl, and therefore / do not pre-
| tend to read character by hand writing
| but, yet there is something about tina
| note of Mrs. Duanes that interests me
strangely, and / should like to see the
| writer
at seems to me that you have been de-