Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-02-13
CHAPTER VIII.
THE NIGHT Al THE srnRAI

II.
That evening Emerald stood before a
mirror at Hallaton hall, dressed in rich
white satin, wearing on her breast a
bunch of violets, which matched her eyes.
Lady Hallaton, the friend whom she had
come to visit, had met her at the station.
and, perhaps guessing how matters stood
had promptly invited Dundonald to spend
few days at the hall He had accepted
the invitation as promptly as it was
given, and before he had been in the
house ten minutes, had told his hostess
with perfect frankness that Emerald Der.
niger was his future wife.
1t wanted only few minutes to the
ringing of the dinner bell, and. while
Emerald stood in one room of Hallaton
hall, Sir Charles, the host, was talking to
his wife in another
oh, by the bye. Bell you'll have two
extra for dinner. Darnley was out shoot
ing. He and friend have taken little
place down here. it seems, and ! asked
them both for dinner
Then | wish you hadn't" said Lady
Hallaton. You know Dundonald is here !"
What the thunder does that matter?
Dundonald, of all men in the world. has
the least side about him. Whoever I
think well to ask to my table, is sure of
friendliness to Dundonald."
Dear me, Charles, how dense YOU are
Have you forgotten that Dundonald is
engaged, and that this is practically his
first evening alone with Emerald? / had
meant that we should dine quite en-
famille."
Sir Charles scratched his head, but
man-likes he took cheerful view of his
own blunder.
We'll, but Darnley's sort of relation
Of his. | should think he won't natter
That's all you know about it. Az it
happens, he is the one man whom | would
rather not have here tonight / believe
he made Emerald an offer at Cromartie.
and she refused him. But you say there
is friend as we'll Who is he?"
"a nice fellow. but | know nothing of
him except his name Gerald Vaughan.
Danley met him in Canada, and they
came over together. He's a decent fellow
enough: YOU needn't fear"
1t was passing strange that Sir Charles
should lave used that last word when
viewed by the light of subsequent events
Lady Hallaton might well have feared
the coming of Gerard Vaughan if she
could have foreseen what was to follow
As it was, she went downstairs with a
pleasantly tranquil face, and was intro
duced TO Gerard Vaughan.
He had a somwhat foreign appearance
As matter of fact, he was French. Ca
madam His complexion was clear and
pale. his eyes We're dark, his teeth fauh
less, and he wore slight moustache
black as coal, and soft as silk. His man
ners had certain distinction. and Lady
Hallaton noticed his extremely pleasing
voice. Not many Englislmen had such
voice as that.
Dundonald was the next to enter, his
fine face aglow with happiness. Remind
ed of Emerald, Lady Hallaton. as soon
as she had introduced Gerard Vaughan
left the room III search of her. and, meet
ing her on the stairs, told her. apollo
getically, of the unexpected addition to
their dinner party.
Emerald's lovely face clouded ever so
slightly on hearing of Darnley, but she
seemed not to take the faintest interest
in the name of Gerard Vaughan
Radiant in her beauty. with her SHIN.
mering white gown trailing behind her
and on her breast the knot of Yiolets
which matched her eyes, she followed her
hostess to the big drawing room, where
the gentlemen awaited them.
Sir Charles and Darnley stood on the
hearth-rug, chatting about the days
sport; Vaughan was little apart, with
his back TO the door. He seemed to be
interested in a cabinet Of curios.
He might not have heard the opening
of the door; at any rate. he did not turn
his head until Lady Hallaton's pleasant
voice said, close beside him:
"AIr. Vaughan, allow me to introduce
my dear friend, Mrs. Beringer."
Then Gerard Vaughan turned round
4 AM delighted to know Mrs. Der
niger be said, in his slight French ac-
cent? and he fixed his dark eyes full and
steadily on the radiantly beautiful
woman before him.