The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-11-18

thhAS III a. suudSh bNNSSS VI lu6S.
shall do what l choosew she cried.
NO." said Darlington quietly and
looking her full in the face. you will
obey me-"
"Obey You, Lord Derrington2'
ayes. have tried to conduct this
interview quietly, Mrs. Ward, and
to hint that your wiser plan is to be
silent, but
IL don't want hints. wish for
plain speaking" ragged the little wom-
an. How dare you address me like
this?"
The old gentleman leaned forward
suddenly and whispered short SEN
tcnce I'm her ear. Mrs. Wards face
turned pearly white, and she tottercd
to chair, closing her eyes as she fell
into it. Darlington surveyed her with
pitiless expression.
"You will be silent about Brendon?"
he asked.
YES" moaned Mrs. Ward. II will
say nothing"
At the meeting at the Cecil Mrs.
Ward was herself again. She had
quite got over the fright given to her
by Darlington, and when she saw him
later treated him in her old man
ner On his side the old gentleman
made no difference, but he wondered
how she was carrying herself so bold
ly. At once it occurred to his sus-
picious mind that there was some rea-
son for this defiant behavior, and he
determined to watch her. For this
hn ;Ni
ut is the first time l have been to
a music hall for years." he explained
to Dorothy. But Walter has been
talking so much about this new dancer
that 1 felt l must sec her"
'Why did you not dine with us at
the Cecil" asked Dorothy.
II always prefer to dine at home,
my dear young lady. Besides, 1T does
not do for an old man to wag his gray
beard uninvited among the young"
Meantime Mrs. Ward was chatting
amicably to Nane and to vapid war
office clerk who had formed fourth
at the Cecil dinner party. The box
was large and easily held the party.
Mrs. Ward had a position directly in
front, where she could see and be seen,
but Dorothy kept herself behind the
curtains. She could see the stage ex-
cellcntly, but did not wish to be rec
ognized by any chance acquaintance.
In an opposite box sat red haired
man in immaculate evening dress
Darlington recognized him as Bawd-
scy, but did not think it necessary to
show his recognition. He sat ut the
back Of the box between Vane and the
war Office clerk and kept watchful
eye on Mrs. Ward.
That little woman Sparkled like q
diamond She criticised the house,
the decorations and applaud
ed the comic songs. 1t might have
been that this Indifferent attitude was
one Of defiance, as she must have
known that Darlington was watching
her. But she acted her part consum-
mately, and he could not help admir-
ing her coolncss. "What an admira-
uIc uCtiess, tuVuSur rnc uTu IoIu, -anu
what dangerous womanw
The ballet came at the end Of the
first part of the programme. When the
curtain rose Dorothy was so anxious to
behold Lola that she leaned forward
SO as to show her face to the whole
house. Bawdsey saw her and put his
glass to his eye. He smiled slightly,
and Darlington wondered why he did
so. But ut that moment, and while
tie stage was filling with dancers, he
arose to receive Somenewcom These
were none other than Miss Bull and
Margery, for whom Bawdsey had pro-
cured the box. The little old maid was
whitcr than ever and wore her usual
gray dress. Margery was smartly
gowned in green, and with her light
hair and stupid red face looked any
thing but beautiful. She placed her,
self in the best position. being evil
IDENTIFY directed to do so by Miss Bull,
for that lady preferred the shade. At
all events. she secluded herself behind
n curtain and kept her beady black
eyes pcrSiStenuy on the stage. On
seeing that the two were comfortable,
Bawdsey disappeared and did not re-
turn till the end of the ballet. Der
rington saw all this. but no one else
in Mrs. Wards box took any notice.
And why should they: Bawdsey and
his party were quite unknown to them.
Dorothy could not say that Lola was
handsome, but she had about her a
wild grace which was very fascinating
When dancing she seemed to think Of
nothing but the revels in which she
was engaged. She never cast a look
Mt the house, and Dorothy noticed this.
She was therefore somewhat surprised
when, during the second scene, she saw
Lola deliberately look in the direction
Of the box and stare at her piercingly
for quite q moment or two. Rather
confused by this sudden regard, the
girl drew back. Lola noticed her no
Rlore, but continued to dance.
Let us go now" said Dorothy. when
the wild dance Of Lola was at an end
81 wish I had not come"