Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-27

| When we had reached the hotel en-
| trance Chadbourne drew deep breath of
| relief.
Thoroughbred. isn't she?" he asked.
18th
He had been mildly, interestedly de-
voted before. From that night he tossed
discretion to the winds and played to win
or die. AS the 18th drew near he merely
laughed and said he would stake all on
one last chance. and it happened that the
chance came in the rose garden the night
before the 18th.
There had been a dance in Buena Ven
tura Inn early in the evening. Mrs. Wade
did not care to dance Chadbourne and
she had taken possession of the prettiest,
most secluded corner of the veranda, and
she had been singing softly to the &C
compartment of Chadbourne's mandolin.
She looked like one of Da Vinci's lovely
Florentines, with her dark eyes and red
dishgold hair, in a dress of white chiffon
with great black lace butterflies sprawling
over its clinging folds.
l knew that the end had come when l
saw Chadbourne take her down among the
roses in the moonlit garden An hour later
he returned to the veranda alone, and threw
himself down on the low settee where she
had sat- his face hidden in the soft silken
cushions. still rumpled and crushed by the
imprint of one fair head.
She's going back, he said. and his
voice very quiet and self-conta1neo.
Tomorrow | told her about ft-hOW L
cared for her no matter what she had done.
l told her that Id shoot that man If 1t
would make her happier. ! told her that
l had heard him that night On the bal.
cony and though all the world stood
ranged against her. loved her, and would
make her my wife. l never talked so to
woman before in my life, Bob, and l
thought she cared.
HIS voice broke huskily l smoked
steadily and looked away from the figure
lying on the settee. There is not much for
an outsider to do at such a time
DO you know what she did, he asked
presently She laughed at NE. That's
all Leaned back her head and laughed,
and told me she must leave for Frisco to-
morrow, and that l would understand why
some time. And 1 know that he IS waiting
for her at the other end.
Something on his coat lapel glittercd in
the moonlight. 1t was the diamond griffin
she gave you that?' l asked.
yes he said bitterly. And told me to
follow the trail of the girl and the griffin.
And then she laughed It's the old story of
the fool and the woman who didn't care.
Il would follow the trail, l SAID.
ITO 'Frisco?
ITO anywhere it led
The next night we reached San Fran
| cisco 1t was after midnight. Chadbourne
was grim and determined.
IF you should find them together? l
| suggested as we sat smoking over the re-
mains of a late supper in the Cafe Lemon.
| Chadbourne happened to be looking be
| yond me, and the light of the devil hashed
| suddenly in his eye.
Wait here a moment" he said, under his
| breath as a party came into the cafe lie
| half rose from his chair. but before ne
| could act Mrs. Wade had advanced to meet
| him. her wonderful eyes soft and tcnder
! with welcome.
| Il knew YOU would come" she said, hold
! ing out her hands to him. But l wanted
| you to find out for yourself, and then IL
you wanted me still to be your wlte--
| She turned suddenly to the group behlnd
! her Nat" she said Introduce me to
| my future husband if you please
| The person we had known as n. X. came
| toward Chadbourne with outstretched iiahu
| 1--WE parted somewhat unpleasantly, my
| boy" he said, genialy. Forget IT, MS
! is Estelle Dorian, the famous Australian
OPERA singer. You will remember my hand
ing her manuscript libretto the first tline
you saw me at Buena Ventura. She was
| then Mrs L. Leland Wade. A bluff my
boy. simply a bluff to avoid publicity
| until she made her American debut. Her
| real name is Nell Allan. l discovered her
five years ago in Melbourne doing turn
| at the Gaiety. She didn't know herseif
what her power was until took her out IN
| THE Girl and the Griffin Ever hear OF
! it? I've made couple of fortunes out OF 1t
already, touring Australia. It's the great
| est comic orera success of the day, and I've
got q three-year contract with Nell. one
| tacit agreement of the contract was that
| she should not marry until it's expiration
| So you see where | was at when my priIna
| donna refused positively to attend re
| hearsals, but preferred to rusticate at
| Buena Ventura with Cupid on her shoulder
| and a Young man bent marriage al her
! heels But it's all right. We struck color
| tonight. and if you'll just let her see me
| through a New York season III wish you
| both joy
| And this?" Chadbourne held out the dia
| mond griffin.
"A little testimonial of appreciation from
my self and wife, to Nell" said Nat cheerlly,
She's been our mascot.
CbafhOnrnp stood erect, one hand resting
on the back of his chair and the old amused
smile settling over his face, but he looked
tired. Mechanically, he removed his eye
glasses and began to polish them on his
coat sleeve to gain time.
Il came prepared for anything, from muir
de- down. he said, but not for this. L
Mrs. Wade-er-Miss Dorian
Say Nell she interposed, her lovely face
full OF gladness.
He met her gaze, and smiled quizzically.
az think | shall say Mrs. Chadbourne," he
said. since only the diamond griffin is my
rival"