Evening star., 1901-05-18

which puzzled her, first of all. 1t alone was
enough to fire Cecily to animation. Then
she led up, through Lady Evenswood, to
Mr. Disney himself, confessng, however,
that she took the encouragement which
the great man had given on faith from
those who knew him better than she did.
Her own impression would have been that
he meant to dismiss the whole thing as
impossible nonsense.
Still, l can't help thinking we've done
something she ended in triumph.
Nina, are you working for him or for
This question faced Nina with latent
problem which she had hitherto avoided.
Maynt l work for both of your she
asked at last.
We'll, 1 can't see why you should do
that" said Cecily. rolling out of the ham
mock and fretfully smoothing her hair
Il m busybody. That's it, said Nina
You know whatll happen if he finds it
out? Harry, L mean. He'll be furious
with both of US"
Nina reflected. Yes. I suppose he will"
she admitted. But the spirit of self-sacri-
nee was on her, perhaps also that of ad-
venture. Il don't care she said, ''as long
as | can help"
There was loud knock at the door
Nina rushed into the front room. and saw
a man in uniform delivering a letter. The
next moment the maid brought it to her
a long envelope with First Lord of the
Treasury stamped on the lower left-hand
corner She noticed that it was addressed
TO Lady EVenswood'S house, and must have
been sent on posthaste. She tore 1t open
1t was headed Private and Confidential"
Madame, 1 am directed by Mr. Disney
to request you to state in writing for his
consideration any facts which may be
within your knowledge as to the circum-
stances attendant the. marriage of the
late Lady lristram of Bfent, and the birth
OF her son, Mr.. Henry Austen Fitzhubert
1rlstram. | am to add that your commu-
nlcation Will be considered confidential. |
am madame, yours. faithfully.
"BROADsTAIRS."
"Cecily. Cecily, Cecilyn, Nina darted
back and thrust this wonderful document
into Cecily's hands. He does mean some
thing, you see; he will do somethng." she
cried. "Oh, who's Broadstairs, | wonder?"
Cecily took the letter and read. The Imp
| reappeared with red volume in her hand
"V1scount Broadstairs-eldest son Of the
| Earl OF Ramsgate" she read. with wide
| open eyes. And he says he's directed to
| write, doesn't he? Well, you are funny in
| England! But | don't wonder 1 was afraid
of Mr.. Disney"
| oh, Mr.. Disney's secretary. I suppose.
| But, Nina" Cecily was alive again now.
| but her awakening did not seem to be a
| pleasant one She turned suddenly from
| her friend, and. walking as far off as the
( little room would let her, flung herself into
| a chair.
whats the matter?" asked Nina, check
| ed in her excited gaietv
| "What will Harry care about ANYTHING
| they can give him without Blent? ."
! NINA 1iushed. The conspiracy was put be-
for fore her.not r, by one of the conspirators.
but .,1 by her . who was the object of it.
| HE won't want anything if he can't
have Blent. Nina. Did they say anything
| about me to Mr. Disney?"
| MOI cried Nina eagerly
| but they WILL they mean to?" Cecily
was leaning forward eagerly now.
| Nina had no denial ready. She was try-
ing to follow Cecily's thoughts and to
| trace the cause of the apprehension. the
| terror almost, that had come on the girls
| face. " ei
49, Hell see it-just as see it!' Cecily went
n,sfs. She, :. paused pause again. Still Nina had no
words and no comfort for her This sight
| OF the otner side of the question was too
sudden, 1t was Harry then, and Harry
only. VINO had really been in her thoughts;
tool There might be little ground for blam-
ing Southend. who had never seen her or
| Lazy EVenswood, who had been brought in
purely IN Harry,s interest. But how stood
| Nina VINO was Cecily's friend? Yet at last
thought flashed into her mind and gave
| her a weapon.
Well; what did you come to London
come unless you meant, that, too?'
Cecily started little and lay back In
| her chair.
| spondently. HE hates. me, but If he's Of
| fered Blent and me he'll-heJl take us both
| Nina, you know he will. An indignant rush
OF color came on her Cheeks "Oh, it's very
In difficulty of that sort it did not seem
| that even Mr.. Disney could be of much
| avail
"Oh, you Tristramr' cried Nina in de-
! spair
| CHAPTER XIX.
In the Matter of BIinkhamptOn.
| Pity for the commander who, while en-
gaging the enemy on his front with valor
and success. breaking his line and driving
him from his position, finds himself assail-
ed in the rear by an unexpected or despised
foe, and the prize of victory suddenly
| ter than If he had failed in his main en-
counter, his self-reproaches more keen.
Major Duplay was awakening to the fact
| that this was his situation. Triumph was
not his although Harry Tristram had fled
from the battle. jamie liver had begun to
| think Irritation wrong-and there was an al
together new and remarkable self-assertion