The Press., 1898-11-03
THE REAL REASON.

young politician of 22, in his room at the hotel. He was completing an elab- crate toilet and drinking champagne.
 "Aynsley" he cried in surprise. "Ii thought you were in London. ..
 "The spirit of restlessness,' ex- plained My eye dwelt for moment on the champagne. "A little low, Arthur?'
 He blushed. Arthur was the highly respectable son of an eminentiy respect able father, who was M. P. and other things. '>-s
 He glanced at the clock, then rose and picked up his hat and gloves.
 "A stroll" finished, with grin.
 He laughed nervously. '+ '~-
 Look here, Aynsley," he said, you'll find the governor and Evelyn on the terrace. Do you mind if run away now?''
 got up and laid 8 hand on his shoul- der in 8 paternal fashion. "She is 8 woman in a thousand, Arthur. Au re- voir and good luckl"
 He blushed again-he was really a most nervous young man-and hurried away. followed him out of the hotel, then strolled leisurely through the gar dens and round to the terrace. espied MT. Verney and his daughter sitting al- most immediately in the rear of the ca sino. walked up to them. 7.
 "Well, 'pon my wordr cried Mir. Varney. A smile dimpled round Miss Verney's mouth as she took my hand explained lucidly how it was I came to leave London ill so unexpected a fashion.
 "It enslaves us all, " finished, with 8 graceful wave of my hand toward the casino.
 "Indeed, said Miss Verney politely.
 After a few minutes conversation MT. Verney pulled out his watch.
 "I'm very glad you came, Aynsley," midst of little mathematical expert ment with trente ct quarante, and I thought that if you would kindly look after Evelyn I'd"-
 Delighted" said quickly. "I trust the experiment. will be broughtfto a sat- isfactory conclusion y
 AS soon as he had taken his departure I glanced at Miss Verney. She was ex- amining the handle of her parasol with some intentness made 8 mental note that white suited her admiiably-in fact, better than any other girl of my acquaintance.
 Perfect weather" remarked at length She nodded in a preoccupied manner.
 "I have been wondering, " she said after 8 moment, "why'you came here "
 "Did you not hear me explain?" began.
 She smiled. '.
 "Oh yes but''-
 "Surely nothing further is needed. The attraction of Monte Carlo is world famed.'
 II do not believe. MT. .Aynsley," she said deliberately, "that you have ever gambled in your life"
 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.
 "How upsympathetic you arei'' e.
 "The deep sea fishing last winter must have been rather badfor you. No, MT. Aynsley, I'm clear sighted young person, and can quite see what has brought you so suddenly to Monte Car lo."
 "well?'' I.said, with an. air of indif- ference. &
 She played with the tassel on her parasol for a moment. Thelhshessmiled.
 "Mrs. Fairfax" she sai,- at,length I laughed outright.
 "How amusing! Nothing of the.sort. The usual attraction, I.assure you.''
 Mrs. Fairfax
 Gambling -or invalidss natural aversion to chill, damp fogsf" '
 Mrs Fairfaxl' repeated Miss, Yer ney once again, with just "a shade.of emphasis.
 gave it up.
 "A very charming person,P' Iisaid.
 "You admit it?" and hertvoice held a tiny note of triumph.
 Don't you?" replied wonderingly. "She is talented, pretty, agreeable and''-
 "A widow" putsin Miss Verney.
 "Yes, but her husband wasf hardly more than an acquaintance Hewent to India, you know, shortly after their marriage, and was. killed. Do you not think her fascinatingi'
 "Yes, undoubtedly she sis a pleasant companion"
 And I'm a lonely bachelor man" remarked apolo8etlcaly.
 She turned to me with a.smile. "For- give me-" sine said kindly. flor re- minding you of uripitiful condition. only meant to showtyou thatI guessed the reason for your sudden change of plans"
 "Your intelligence is, beyond re- proach. But what made lyou think of Mrs. Fairfax?'
 My dear Mir. Aynsley, ''tshe laughed, "you forget last season.
 tried to recollect.
 "The episode at the Cartons ;tthe Mel ba night at Covent Garden, " she re minded gently. .-r-. ..,e+z :. .
 "You take great interest intmy well fare," I said with 8 laugh. $am very glad to notice it," addedN with a glance at her.
 By the way,"' I continuedNa after Q pause, "where is Arthur?''
 'tI never trouble about ArtAuY,n she replied quickly, ''he'is so wrapped iup III his books and studies that even here at Monte Carlo see very little of him. ."
 was amused
 "You have nothing against Mrs. Fair fax?" I suggested.
 ''Nothing whatever" she replied frankly. 'I like her immensely"
 This helped matters, thought.
 "You think she will make 6 good wife?''
 Admirable" said Miss verney, calmly surveying the bay. ''Her ex- perience will ba invaluable"
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