Evening star., 1901-06-08

affairs"
Wasn't it through you that I began to
do it,
The major declined to argue the question
one of some perplexity, perhaps
Veil. I've got plenty to do in London.
Let's give up Merrion and take rooms
here"
Give up Merrion?" She was startled.
But the reasons she assigned were pruden-
ttal; I've taken it till October, and I
can't afford to. Besides, what's the use of
being here in August"
You won't drop it yet, you see.' The
reasons did not deceive Duplay.
Il don't think l ought to desert Cecily.
/ suppose she'll go back to Blent. Oh, what
an exasperating man he is
:! think Harry Tristram as much of a
fool as you do" Duplay said. IF hea
taken 1t he could have made a good match,
anyhow, even if he didn't get Lady iris
tram
"Cecilys just as bad She's drawn into
her shell. You don't know that way Of
hers-of theirs, l suppose it is. bother them.
II they didn't exist
She'll go back to Blent, 1 suppose?"
We'll. she must. Somebody must have
IF it's going begging call on me-" said
the major equably He was in a better
huInor with the world than he had been for
long while. his connection with liver
promised well. But Nina shifted scornful-
ly: she was in no mood for ideaists.
Cecily had been told about the scheme
ana Its iamentabie end. Her attitude was
one or entire concern. What was it to her
II Harry We're made viscount, a duke or
the pope? What was anything to her? She
was going back to her father at Blent. The
only animation she displayed was In re-
senting the remainder, and, indeed denying
the fact that she had ever been other than
absolutely happy and coutented at Blent.
Nina pressed the point and Cecily then de-
clared that now, at any rate. her conscience
n h,1 t,.;n Il
right-at what sacrifice Nina knew. Now
perhaps Nina could sympathize with her
and could understand the sort of way IN
which Cousin Harry received attempts to
help him. On this point they drew to-
gether again.
You must come back to Merrion. DEAR
urged Cecily.
Nina, who never meant to do ANYTHING
else embraced her friend and affectionateIy
consented. 1t Is always pleasant to do on
entreaty what We might be driven to do
unasked.
Goodbye had to be said to Lady Evens-
wood. That lady was very cheerful about
Harry. She was. hardly with any disguise
an admirer of his conduct. and said that
undoubtedly he had made very favorable
impression on Robert. She seemed to make
little of the desperate condition Of affairs
as regarded Cecily. She was thinking Of
Harry's career, and that seemed to her very
promising. Whatever he tries 1 think he'll
succeed in" she said That was not enough
for Nina. He must try Mina's things
those she had set her heart on-before she
could be content. But you never brought
Cecily to me-" Lady Evenswood COM
planned. And I'm just going away now
That was 1t. Nina decided. Lady Evens-
wood had not seen Ceciiy. She had ap-
preached the Tristram puzzle from one
side only, and had perceived but one aspect
of 1t. She did not understand that 1t was
complex and double-headed. 1t was neither
Harry nor Cecily. but Harry and Cecily.
And Flora Disney has quite taken him
up" Lady EvenswoOd pursued. George
tells me he's been to lunch there twice.
George Is terrible gossip"
What does Lady Flora Disney want with
hm?"
well. my dear. are you going to turn
round and say you don't understand why
he interests Women?'
Il don't why he should interest Lady
Flora" Nina had already made up her
mind that she hated that sort of woman.
1t was bad enough to have captured Mr.
Disney; must the insatiate creature draw
into her net Harry Tristram also?''
And Of course he's fiattered. Any young
man would be-"
Il don't think he's improved since he left
Blent"
Country folks always say that about
their young men when they come to town."
smiled Lady Evenswood Hes learning
his world, my dear. And he seems very
sensible. He hasn't inherited poor Adde'S
wildness."
Yes. he has. But it only comes out now
and then. When 1t does"
"It won't come out with Flora,'' Lady
Evenswood interrupted. reassuringly.
But another thing was to happen before
Nina went back to the valley of the BIent,
a fearful, delightful thing An astonishing
missive came--a card inviting her to dine
with Mr.. and Lady Flora Disney. She
gasped as she read it had Lady Flora ever
indulged in the same expression of feeling
it would have been when she was asked to
send It, Gasping still, Nina telegraphed
for her best frock and all the jeweled to-
kens of affection which survived to testify
to AdoIph Zabriskas love. 1t was In itself
an Infinitely great occasion, destined ~