Evening star., 1901-05-18

see what's going on" she said. 81 dare say
you wonder what I've got to do with it
His manner seemed to assent, and she in
dicated her position briefly.
"Oh. that's it. is it?' You knew the late
Lady Tristram. And you knew" Again
he regarded her thoughtfuly. Il hope
Lady Tristram-the new One-is well?
There was the sound of a whispered con-
sultation outside the door; it drew Minas
eyes in that direction.
That's all right. he smiled. ITS only
my wife scolding the butler for having let
You in. This is my time for rest"
Rest" exclaimed Nina, rather scorn-
fully. You wrote to Cecily as if you could
do something"
THAT rash of me. What do you
want done? I've heard about you from
Iver. you know"
.'Oh, the Ivers have nothing to do with
this It's just between Cecily and Mr..
Tristram."
And you and me- apparently"
nat was your idea when you wrote?
cause it sounded as if you had an idea If
he had no idea it was clear that contempt
awaited him.
Il wanted to be friendly But as for do
ing anyt ything-well, that hardly depends on
me-"
But things can't go on as they are, you
know, she said. brusquely
7 nhappily, as | understand the law"
oh. l understand the law, too-and very
SHY II is. L suppose it can't be changed? ?'
49, GOOD gracious. my dear Nine. Zabriska /.
NHdHSeu. ana on this point, tOO,'
w nat are acts of parliament for?" Nina
demanded. '''
Absolutely out of the question" he
laughed Even if everybody consented,
And Harry Tristram wouldn't consent,
you mean?"
We'll. could any MANI"
| Nina looked round the room with dis
| contented air; there is such a lamentabIe
| gulf between feeling that something must
| be done and discovering what it is
| don't say positively that nothing can
! be done, he resumed after a moment
| dangling his glass and looking at her
| coVertly. Are you at leisure this after
| noon?'
| If you've got anything to suggest"
| Nina had grown distrustful of his intelli-
| gence, and her tongue showed it,
| L thought you might like to come and
| see a friend of mine. who is kind enough
| to be interested in Harry Tristram" He
| added with the consciousness of naming
| an important person. Il mean Lady Evens-
| wood
| Who's she?" asked the Imp curtly
To do them justice. Engishmen seldom
| forget that allowances must be made for
| foreigners. Lord Southend explained grave
| ly and patiently.
| well. let's CO." said Nina. indirerently
| Not that it seems much use,' her manner
| added.
| Excuse me a moment" said he. and he
| went out to soOthe his wifes alarm and as
sure her that he not tired.
| AS they drove Nina heard more of Lady
| Evensw ood-among other things that she
| had known Addie Tristram as a child. An
| unusual timidity assaulted and conquered
| Nina when she found herself with the
| white-haired old lady, who never seemed to
| do more than gently suggest and yet exer-
| cised command. Southend watched them
| together with keen amusement, while Lady
| Evenswood drew out of Nina some account
of Cecily's feelings and of the scene al
| Blent.
| We'll. that's Trstram all over" sighed
! Lady Evenswood at the end.
| Yes, isn't it?' cried Nina, emboldened
by sympathy that spoke her own thought
| she hates to feel she's taken everything
| away from him. But Lord Southend says
| he can't have it back. Is there nothing
| to be done? You see it's all being wasted
| "All being wasted"
| Yes. Blent and all of it. He can't have
| it, and as things are now she can't enjoy
it"
Very perverse. very perverse. certainly
| murmured Southend, frowning-althougt
he was rather amused too.
| With an obvious solution said Lady
Evenswood, ''if only we lived in the realms
| of romance"
| Yes" she said 'but Harry wouldn't dc
that either"
He doesn't like his cousin?"
"Yes. think So" She smiled as she add
| ed. And even If he didn't that mightn't
| matter"
The other two exchanged glances as they
| listened. Nina, inspired by subject that
never failed to rouse her, gained courage.
| Amy more than it mattered with Miss
| lver, she pursued. And he might just
as likely have given Blent to Cecily in tha,
way as in the way he actually did-if she
wanted 1t very much and-and it had been
a splendid thing for him to do
Lady Evenswood nodded gently. South
end raised his brows in a sort of protes
against this relentless analysis
| Because that sort of thing would have
appealed to him. But he'd never take II
from her; he wouldn't even if he was in
love with her"
You know him very we'll my dear?'
| Yes, II came to. And I'm very fond
of her." she added.
I'm the deadlock" said Southend "I thinl
you'll have to try my prescription, Lad,
EvensWood."
| you think that would be of use?'
cit would pacify this pride of Master
| Harrys, perhaps
| Nina looked from one to the other
| "Is there anything?" asked Nina The