Evening star., 1904-03-26

are / had the luck to maat an old friend
on board-Mr. Dixon Druce-and have
been telling him all about you. l should
like you to know each other. Druce, this
lady is Nine Sara, Of whom have spoken
to you Mr. Dixon Druce-Mme. Sara"
She bowed gracefully and then looked at
me earnestly. 1 had seldom seen more
lovely woman. By her side both Mrs. Seisoy
and her sister seemed to fade into insignifi-
canoe Her complexion was almost daz-
zlingly fair, her face refined in expression,
her eyes penetrating, clever, and yet with
the innocent, frank gaze OF child. her
dress was very simple; she looked alto
gether like young, fresh and natural girl.
AS we sat chatting lightly and about COM
monplace topics, instinctively felt that she
took an interest in me even greater than
might be evinced from an ordinary introduc-
tion. By slow degrees she so turned the
conversation as to leave Selby and his wife
and sister out, and then as they moved
away she came little nearer and said In
low voice:
II am very glad we have met, and yet
how odd this meeting isl Was 1t really ac-
cidental?"
II do not understand you," 1 answered
II know who you are, she SAID hghtiy.
You are the manager of Werners agency;
it's business is to know the private affairs
of those people who would rather keep
their own secrets. Now. Mr.. Druce, am
going to be absolutely frank with you. l
own small shop in the Strand-it Is a
perfumery shop-and behind those innocent
looking doors I conduct the business which
brings me in gold of the realm. Have you.
Mr.. Druce, any objection to my continuing
to make a livelihood in perfectly innocent
ways?"
None Whatever" I answered. you
puzzle me by alluding to the subject"
II want you to pay my shop visit when
YOU come to London have been away for
three or four months. / do wonders for my
clients, and they pay me largely for my
services. 1 hold some perfectly innocent
secrets which l cannot confide to anybody.
/ have obtained them partly from the In
dams and partly from the natives of Brazil.
/ have lately been in. Para to inquire into
certain methods by which my trade can be
improved"
"And your trade is-?'' I said, looking
at her with amusement and some surprise.
II am a beautifer," she said lightly. She
| looked at me with a smile. you don't
want me yet. Mr.. Druce, but the time may
come when even you will wish to keep back
the infirmities of years. In the meantime
can you guess my age?"
II will not hazard "A guess" 1 answered.
And 1 will not tell you. Let 1t remain
secret. Meanwhile, understand that my
calling is quite an open one and l do hold
secrets. l she uld advise you, Mr.. Druce,
| even in your professional capacity, not to
| interfere with them
| The childlike expression faded from her
| face as she uttered the last words. There
| seemed to ring sort of challenge in her
tone. She turned away after few mo-
| ments and l rejoined my friends.
You have besa making acquaintance
| with Nine. Sara, MIR. Druce," said Mrs.
| Selby. Don't you think she is lovely?''
| "She is one of the most beautiful women
| l have eySr seem l answered, but there
| seems to be mystery about her."
| "oh. indeed there is." said Edith Dallas,
gravely.
| ''She asked me IL could guess her age
l continued Il did not try, but surely she
! cannot be more than five and twenty"
mo one knows her age said Mrs. Selby;
| but | will tell you a curious fact, which,
| perhaps, you will not believe. She was
bridesmaid at my mothers wedding, thirty
years ago. She declares that she never
changes. and has no fear of old age"
"You mean that seriously?' cried. But
surely it is imposslble?"
Her name is on the register, and my
l mother knew her well. She was mysterious
| then and think my mother got into her
power, but of that / am not certain. Any
how. Edith and l adore her. don't we,
1 Edie?"
/ She laid her hand affectionately on her
sisters arm. Edith Dallas did not speak.
| but her face was eareworn. After a time
| she said slowly:
| Nine. Sara is uncanny and terrible"
| There is. perhaps, no business Imaginable
not even lawyer s-that engenders sus-
picion more than mine. / hate all mystic
| ries-both In persons and things. Mysteries
are my natural enemies. / felt now that
! this woman was distinct mystery That
4 she was interested in me did not doubt
perhaps because she was afraid of me.
The rest of our voyage passed pleasantly
enough. The more / saw of Mrs. Selby and
her sister the more l liked them. They
| were quiet. simple and straightforward
! felt sure that they were both as good as
gold
Go be continued Aonday.)