Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-24

cally swearing to be even with him. but 1
lost what he said In sudden consterna-
ton that seized me as l crossed the thresh-
old, which came over me at the prospect of
the night. and the dark coach ride and the
uncertainty of this new adventure. The
lights in the room and Mr.. Smith polite
ness had given me a courage which the
dark staircase dissipated. and but for the
consciously, laid on my arm. I think 1
should have stood back and refused to go.
Under his gentle compulsion. however I
went down and took my seat in the coach
that awaited US. and my companion. fol-
lowing me and closing the door. some one
unseen raised the steps. and in moment
we were jolted out Of Bride lane and turn
ed In the direction of the Strand.
More than this l could not distinguish
with all my curiosity. and look out as 1
might, for Mr.. Smith, muttering something
l did not catch. drew the curtain over the
window on M side, and. for the other
interposed himself so continually and skill
fdl!y between 1t and my eyes that the
coach turning TWO or three corners, in a
Few minutes / " as quite igrorant where we
were or whether We still held westward
dill ection. A hundred notions of footDads
abduction, Mr.. Thyme and the like passed
through MY mind while the coach rumbled
ON ana rumbed on and runbIed on end
les sly. the fact that we appeared to avoid
the business parts of the town and chose
III lighted ways having anything but re-
assuring effect on my nerves. At length.
ana While still debated whether | wished
this suspense at an end or feared sim
more what was to follow, the coach stop
ped with jerk which almost threw me out
of my seat.
We are there" said my companion. who
had been some time silent Il must trouble
you to descend. Mr.. Taylor And have no
fears The matter in hand is very simple.
only be good enough to follow me closely
and quickly"
And without releasing my arm he hurried
me out OF the coach and through a door in
ana that so dark. and so completely OH
Scured by high walls and the branches of
trees. which showed family overhead
leather,ng against the sky, that but for
the guidance of his hand must have stood
unable to proceed. Such an overture was
very FAR from abating my fears: nor had I
expected this sudden plunge into a solitude
winch seemed the more chilling as we
stood In London. and had only a little
wEile before passed from the hum of the
strand. l tried to consider where we could
be. and the possibilities of retreat: but INV
conductor left me little room for ndecision
sun holdlng my arm, he led me down
walk and to door which opened as we an
preached. A flood of light poured out and
ieil on the pale green of the surrounding
trees; ana the next moment l stood in
small bare-furnished lobby or ante-room
and heard the door chained behind mo
My eyes daZzled by the lamp. | saw no
more at first than that the nerson who
held 1t and had admitted us was a woman
ramp and look me up and down deliberate
~, while Mr. Smith stood by as If he had
brought me for this and no other. / took
uneasy note of her. She appeared tn ho
Eersing on forty, but was still handsome
AFTER coarse and full-blown fashion, with
lips overfull and cheeks too red; her dark
halr still kept its color, and the remains
of a great vivacity still Iurked in her
gloomy eyes. Her dress, Of an untidy rich
ness. worn and furnished, and Ill fastened
at the neck, was no mean match for her
lace. and led me to think her-and therein
l was right-the waiting woman of some
great lady. Perhaps L should. if let alone
nave come something nearer the truth than
this. and quite home. but Mr. Smith cut
short my observations by falling upon her
In a tone of anger. Hang it. madam. IF
you are not satisfied" he cried, .I can only
tell you way
Who said 1 was not satisfed?" she an
swe we're, cooliy: still surveying me. But
II cannot help thinking-what is your
name. sir. If you please?" This to me.
Taylor" I said.
Taylor? Taylor" She repeated the
name as If uncertain. IT Remember no
Taylor; and yet"
You remember? You know very we'll
whom you remember" Mr. Smith cried
impatiently 1T is the likeness you are
as the nose on his face. 1t is so plain that
II | had brought him in by the front
door,
Anu hept MS mouth SMUT, she inter-
posed.
No one would have been the WISER"
Well, she said. grudgtngly and cycling
me with her head aside, 1T Is near
enough"
1T Is the thing" he cried with an oath.
AS Chelsea orange Is q China oraneer'
she answered contemptuously
At that he looked at her in a sort Of dark
fury. precisely, SO 1t seemed to me, as Fer
guson had looked at him an hour before,
BY heaven. you VIXEN" he cried at length,
surprise and rage contending in his tone II
believe you love him STILL"
Her back being toward me I did not see
her face but the venom in her tone when
she answered made my blood creep Well
she said slowly. land If 1 do? Much good
may 1t do him.
Ambiguous as were the words--but not
the tone-the man shrugged his SHOULDERS
irritably
Madams pleasure" she answered. Ana
1 could SET that she loved to baIk him.