, 1898-08-03
THE REAL REASON.

"Aynsley!' he cried in surprise. II
thought you were in London"
"The spirit of restlessness," I eS-
planned My eye dwelt for a moment on
the champagne. "a little low, Arthur"
He blushed. Arthur was the highly
respectable son of an cminently respect
able father, who was M. p. and other
things.
He glanced at the clock, then rose and
picked up his hat and gloves.
"a stroll!' l finished, with a grin.
He laughed nervously.
"Look here, Aynsley," he said,
you'll find the governor and Evelyn on
the terrace. Do you mind if l run away
now?"
l got up and laid a hand on his shoul-
der in a paternal fashion. "Sho is a
woman in a thousand, Arthur. Au re-
voir and good luck!'
He blushed again-he was really a
most nervous young man-and hurried
away. 1 followed him out of the hotel,
cher strolled leisurely through the gar
dens and round to the terrace. / esrIcd
Mr.. Verney and his daughter sitting al
most Immediately in the rear of the ca
sino. I walked up to them.
"Well, pom my wordV' cried Mr..
Varney. A smile dimpled round Miss
Verney's mouth as she took my hand. l
explained lucidly how it was l came to
leave London in SO unexpected n fashion.
at enslaves us all, " l finished, with
a graceful wave of my hand toward the
casino.
Indeed" said Miss Verney politely
After a few minutes conversation
Mr.. Verney pulled out his watch.
"I'm very glad you came, Aynsley, "
he said, las 1 left off last night in the
ment with trente ct q%uarante, and l
thought that if you would kindly look
after Evelyn ID
"Delighted!' l said quickly. II truss
the experiment will DO brought to II sat
isfactory conclusion"
As soon us he had taken his departure
I glanced at Miss Verney. She wa OK
aiming the handle of her parasol with
some intentness. made II mental note
that white suited her a~dmirably-in
fact, better than any other girl of my
acquaintance.
Perfect weather." 1 remarked at
length. She nodded in n preoccupied
manner.
II have been wondering" she said
after n moment, "why you came here. "
"Did you not hear me e~xplaiu?' l
began.
She smiled.
"Oh, yes. but
"Surely nothing further is needed.
The attraction Of Monte Carlo is world
famed"
II do not believe, Mr.. Aynsley,' she
said deliberately, that you have ever
gambled in your life"
l tried another tack.
"Well, then, I'm rather delicate, and
the chill, damp fogs Of London are
rather trying to an invalid"
Again Miss Verney laughed.
Glow upsympathetic you are!"
1.-The deep sea fishing last winter
must have been rather bad for you. No,
MI. Aynsley, I'm u clear sighted young
person, and l can quite see what has
brought you SO suddenly to Monte Car
To-"
"Well?" I said, with All air of indif-
ference.
She played with the tassel on her
parasol for a moment. Then she smiled.
"Mrs. Fairfax, " she said at length.
laughed outright.
"How amusing! Nothing of the sort.
The usual attraction, l assure you"
MRS. Fairfax"
"Gambling or 'invalid's natural
aversion to chill, damp fogs!"
"Mrs. Fairfax" repeated Miss Yer
ney once again, with just q shade of
emphasis.
l gave it up.
IA very charming person." I said.
"Yon admit it?'' and her voice held
a tiny note Of triumph.
Don't your" l replied wonderingly.
"She is talented, pretty. agreeable
and'-
"a widow" put in Miss Verney.
eyes, but her husband WAS hardly
more than an acquaintance. He went to
India, you know, shortly after their
marriage, and was killed. Do you not
think her f~ascinating:"
eyes, undoubtedly she is q pleasant
companion.
"And I'm a lonely bachelor manr' I
remarked apologeticallys
She turned to me with a smile. For
give me-" she said kindly. ''for re-
minding you of your pitiful condition.
I only meant to show you that I guessed
the reason for your sudden change Of
plans"
"Your intelligence is beyond re-
uoach. But what made you think Of
lra. Fairfax"
my dear Mr. Aynsley, " she laughed.
"you forget last season"
tried to recollect.
1.-THE episode at the Cartons; the Mel
b night at Covent Garden" she re-
minded gently.
"Yoa take great interest In my vel
fsre."Inid with q laugh. II am very
Md 70 notice It." I added with a
9lancs q her.
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