Evening star., 1901-05-18

it was, her head was in whirl. Lady
Evenswood called him Robert" too. Moth
ing about Lady Evenswood had impressed
her as much as that, not even the early
acquaintance with Addie Trstram.
Wen, then, what's the girl like?' asked
Disney
Robert, don't frighteen Madame zabris-
ka."
Brighten her? What do you mean?"
"Oh, tell him what l mean. George.
laughed Lady Evenswood. turning to South
end. Mr.. Disney seemed genuinely resent
full at the idea that he might frighten any
body.
Are you a member Of the conference,
too, Southend?"
We'll. yes, lin interested in the fam
lily" He telegraphed a glance of caution
to the old lady; he meant to convey that
the present was not a happy moment to
broach the matter that was in their minds.
I'm sorry L interrupted. Can you give
me five minutes in another room, Cousin
Sylvia" He rose and waited for her.
'Oh, but can't you do anything?" blurted
out the Imp suddenly.
En- His eyes under their heavy brows
were fixed on her now. There deep
lying twinkle in them, although he still
frowned ferociously. DO what?'
Why, something for-for Harry iris
tram?'
He looked around at each of them. The
twinkle was gone; the frown not.
oh. was that the conference?" he asked,
";iya slowly o., Wen, what has the conference
toned, for which Southend at least was
| profoundly thankful
Mr.. Disney slowly sat down again. Nina
| did not perceive the significance of this
| action, but Lady Evenswood did.
Its such an extraordinary case Robert!
So very exceptional! Poor Addie Tristram
| You remember her?'
| Yes, l remember Addie Tristram," he
/ muttered-"growled," Nina described it
afterward. "Well, what do you want?'
| he asked.
| Lady Evenswood was a woman of tact
| Really" she said lit can't be done in
come before you it must come before you
| regularly. | know that, Robert"
The Imp had no tact.
' "Oh, no. she cried. 'Do listen now, Mr..
| Disney. Do promise to help us now
Tact is not always the best thing in the
world
IF you'll tell me in two words I'll listen,"
said Mr.. Disney
| II can't do that. In two words? Oh
! but. please
He had turned away from her to South
| end.
| Now. then, Southend?"
| Lord Southend felt that he must be cour-
| ageous. After all, the women were there.
| In two words? Literally"
Disney nodded, smiling grimly at Nina S
| clasped hands and imploring face
! Literally, If you can
We'll. then said Southend, 81 will
! What we want is" After one glance at
|
| want iS-a Viscounty.'
For a moment Mr.. Disney sat still Then
| again he rose slowly.
| Have tumbled into bedlam?" he asked
! ''It was done in the Bearsdale case"
| suggested Lady Evenswood. "Of course
| there was a doubt there
Anyhow, barony-but a viscounty
would be more convenient" murmured
| Nina was puzzled. These mysteries were
beyond her. But she knew that something
| was being urged which might meet the
| difficulty and she kept eager ewes on Mr.
| Disney. He listened with smile CWas it
not rather a grin?) of sardonic ridcule
You made me speak, you know" said
Southend. "I'd rather have waited till
we got the thing into shape"
And l should like you to see the boy,
| Robert"
"Bedlam.' said Mr. Disney, with savage
conviction. "I'll talk to you about what
| came to say another day. Cousin Sylvia.
| Really today" With a vague, awkward
| wave of his arm he started for the door.
You will try?" cried the Imp, darting
at him.
She heard him say, half under his breath
| D. persistent little womanr' before
| he vanished through the door, She turned
to her companions, her face aghast, her
lips quivering. her eyes dim. The magician
| had come and gone and worked no spell
her disappointment was very bitter.
| To her amazement. Southend was radiant
| and Lady Evenswood wore an air of graft
1T went off better than l expected" said
he.
| 1T must be one Of Roberts good days. y
said she.
"But-but-" gasped the Imp.
I "He was very civil for him. He must
| mean to think about 1t, about something OF
the sort, anyhow" Southend explained. 81
| shouldn't wonder if 1t had been in his
| mind,' he added to Lady Evenswood.
| Neither should l. At any rate. he took
| 1t splendidly." Lady Evenswood did not
| seem able to get over the prime minister's
| extraordinary affability.
| We'll. IL he treats you like that-great
| people like you-and you're pleased, thank
goodness I never met him alone!' Nina
| was not shy with them any more, she had
| suffered worse.
They glanced at one another.
TT was you, my dear. He'd have been
| more difficult with U.s." said Lady Evens-
| wood.
You interested him." Southend assured
her.