Evening star., 1901-06-08

the youth. Its the gettin' out, Madam
-Zabriska." He had taken a swift
glance at Minas card.
Nina looked around rs it in this room
they have the councils?' she asked.
Cabinets? Don't know. Downstairs
somewhere, believe. anyhow" He smoth-
Tristram, you know If everything was
known. you know, 1 shouldn't wonder if a
lot of other fellows found themselves
He was interrupted. fortunately, per-
haps. in these speculations, by a question
from his other neighbor. Nina was left
alone for some minutes, and set to work
to observe the scene She was tolerably
at ease now. Harry saw her sitting silent.
and smiled across at her while he listened
to Lady Flora. The smile seemed to come
from a great way off. The longer she sat
there the more that impression grew The
sense of difference and distance troubled
and grew more troubled still. She felt alb
surd too. because she had been trying to
help Harry. If that had to be done, she
supposed Lady Flora would do it now. The
idea was bitter.
She turned her head by chance and found
Mr. Disney silent, too. and looking at her.
The next moment he spoke to the easy
hammered youth.
Well. Theo. what's the world saying
and doing?"
Same as last year. Cousin Robert" an
swered Theo, cheerfully. Government 8
year older, Of course
In an instant Nina was pleased she de-
tected an unexpected. but pleasant friend
ship between Mr.. Disney and the youth.
She credited Disney with more humanity
the humor necessary she knew he had
and liked him even better
The drawing rooms have kicked us out
already. I suppose?'
"Oh, yes, rather. But the banks not
sure"
Good. That's something. Banks against
drawing rooms for me, Madame Zabriska
He brought her into the conversation al
most with tact, he must have had strong
wish to make her comfortable
That's right announced Theo .1
should say you're all right in the country,
too: Crops been pretty good, you know,
and !.dI now the rains 3 comm down nicely"
well. ordered it." said Mr. Disney
''Takin' all the credit you can get" OBJ
served Theo. Like the man who carved
his name on the knife before he stabbed
his mother-in-law."
What did he do that for?" cried Nina,
guffaw from Disney quite amazed her.
Harry looked across with surprised air
he seemed to wonder that she should be
set herself to be merry: a glance from
Lady Flora converted vexation into rage.
She turned back to Theo; somehow Mr..
Disney had taught her how to like him
often valuable lesson il people would
Keep their eyes open for it.
EVERYBODY else I've met has been hor-
ribly afraid of Mr.. Disney" she said in a
smacked your head?"
That seemed better paradox than most.
Nina nodded approvingly
What does the bank saw about Rari,f
land, Theo"' called Disney. Lord Hove
wine. e.'S" We
We'll; they're just wonderin' who's goin'
10 90 the kickin." said Theo.
And who's going to take it?" Disney
seemed much amused. Lord Hove had
turne turned "a little pink. Nina had a vague
sense sense that serious things were being joked
and was listening.
Theo w. colieioeeo
disney glanced round. smiling grimly.
Everybody had become silent. Rarii;iaD6
produced the question on which Lord Hove
was supposed to be restive Disney laugh
ed and looked at his wife She rose from
what .ne taple. h Mr. Disney had either learned
wnat ne wanted. or had finished amusing
himself Nina did not know which: no
more oddly enough, did Lord Hove
Mr. Disney was by the door saying good
rye 10 10 the ladies': he would not be coming
" the craving room. He stopped Nina.
VINO .sna went out last just before his wife.
We done All we could. Madame Ia
alone ar,Ssa' sb1. ne said I'VE must leave him
NJ Tn m,an afraid so. You've been very kind.
Setter as IT is. I fancy. Now, then.
Flora ,aft TINS tnls peremptory summons Lady
ana followed Nina through the door.
TWO OF the women left directly. The
otner two went off into corner Her
hostess sat down and talked to her. Lady
rnola r.a was not distant. and did not make
Nina feel an outsider. The fault was the
other way. She was confidential-and about
Harry. She assumed an intimacy with
mn equal. or more than equal. to Minass
own. She even told Nina things about
him. She said I'VE" thought him an enor-
nous acquisition. and hoped to see great
And ! suppose the cousin Ia quite