Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-13

then went into the house and to bed. AS he
undressed it occurred to him land the idea
gave him both pleasure and amusement)
that he had made sort of alliance with
Bob against Duplay, although it could only
come into operation under circumstances
which were very unlikely to happen
The blinds drawn at Blent next morning
told Nina what had happened, and the hou.
of IL found her at committee meeting If
Miss Swinkerton'S, which she certainly
would not have attended otherwise. AS IL
was. she wanted to talk and to hear, and
the gathering afforded a chance. Mrs. liver
was there, and Mrs Trumbler, the vicar
wife, meek woman, rather ouSted from
her position by the energy of Miss Swinker
ton. Mrs. Tumbler felt, however, that on
matters of morals she had a right to speak
-jure mariti.
at Is so sad" she murmured. And Mr..
Trumbler found he could do SO little! He
came home quite distressed
II m told she wasn't the least sensible of
her position observed Miss s., with what
looked rather like satisfaction.
Didn't she know she was dying?" asked
Nina, who had established her footing by
hypocritical show of interest in the cot
tage gardens.
"Oh. yes, she knew she was dying my
dear" said Miss S. What poor Lady iris
tram might have known, but apparently
had not was left to an obvious inference.
She was very kind remarked Mrs liver.
Not exactly actively, you know, but if you
happened to come across her" She rose as
.. III.
lady did not try to detain her, and the mo-
ment the door had closed behind her re-
marked:
of course, Mrs. liver feels in delicate
position, and can't say anything about
Lady Tristram, but from what 1 hear she
never realized the popularity of her posi-
ton. The engagement is to be announced
directly after the funeral"
Nina almost started at this authoritative
announcement.
'And I suppose they'll be married as soon
as they decently can. I'm glad for jamie
lvers sake.not that like him. the little
Are you sure they're engaged?" asked
Nina
Miss s. looked at her with smile. Ger
tainly, my dear"
':How?" asked Nina Mrs. Trumbler
stared at her in surprised rebuke.
when make mistake it will be time
to ask questions observed Miss s., with
dignity. For the present you may take
what say, I can wait to be proved right,
Nine. Zabriska"
I've no doubt you're right: only I
thought jamie would have told me-" said
Nina. She had no wish to quarrel with
Miss s.
Jane Iver's very secretive, my dear. She
always was 1 used to talk to Mrs. Ivers
about 1T when she was little girl. And in
your case" Miss SIS smile could only re-
fer to the circumstance that Nina was Mai
Duplay's niece; the majors maneuvers had
not escaped Miss SIS eye. "Of course. the
AoiiSi OIL Will We very quiet, MISS .. cOntlQ-
ued THAT avoids so many difficulties The
people who would come and the people who
wouldn't, and all that, you know
Ihere are SO many questions always
about funerals" sighed Mrs. Trumbler.
Il hate funerals" said Nina. I'm going
to be cremated."
That may be very well abroad. nv
DEAR" said Miss S., telerantly. ..hut vnI,
couldn't here. The question is, viii jamie.
waikiki Va. 'No
ooh. should hardly think she'd go if it's
not announced, you know" said Mrs Trum-
bier.
TITS sometimes done. and I'm told she
would walk just behind the family
Nina left the two ladies debating this
point OF etiquette On her way home she
stopped to leave cards at Blent, and was
not surprised when Harry Tristram came
out of his study. having seen her through
the window. and greeted her
Send your trap home and walk up the
hill with me-. he suggested, and she fell in
with his wish very readily. They crossed
the foot bridge together
I've just been writing to ask nv reI,
tions to the funeral" he said s.At INV
mothers wish not mine. Only two Of them
and !! never saw them in my life"
II shouldn't think you'd cultivate your
relations much"
mo. But Cecily Gainsborough ought Ia
come, l suppose. She's my heir"
Nina turned to him with a gesture of in
terest or surprise.
"YouI heir?" she said. ''You mean
IT mean that if died without having anv
children shed succeed me- Shed be Lady
Tristram in her own right as nv mother
was" He faced round and looked at RIent
shes never been to the place or seen II
yet" he added.
How intensely interested she'll be!'
II don't see why she should" said Harry.
rather GROSSLY. Its a great bore having
her here at all. and IL I'm barely civil to
her that's all shall manage. They won't
stay more than q few days. I suppose.
After second he went on. Tier mother