Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-14
CHAPTER XIV.
A Question of Telling the Truth.


A Question of Telling the Truth.
Sir Eustace Holland and the woman who
had just claimed him as her husband were
left alone together. They stood and looked
at each other. There was much to be said
but they seemed to find it little awkward
to begin.
The woman was the first to take the
plunge.
"Well now" she said II call that nict
of them! They've just given us the very
chance l was wanting. I'm sorry the ole
lady is so much upset, but her fainting al
that moment was uncommonly lucky fol
us, wasn't it?''
Eustace frowned.
II am afraid we have given her try
ing morning. he said, with touch OF
anger. ~ would have spared her 1t II
could. But of course I didn't know you
were coming
Does that mean" asked the woman
quickly. 'that if you had known you would
have spared her. as you call 1t, by pre-
venting my seeing her?''
Eustace shrugged his shoulders. and
walked to the window The prospect as
though to tantalize him with the thought
of all that was at stake, looked fair and
Knowing you as / do. he said. II should
not be so rash as to think could do that"
NO I meant to see her, you know.
But might have prepared her.
How? by warning her that was pill,
and that her ariStoeratic gorge would rise
when she had TO swallow me?'
He turned round and faced her, saying
deliberately:
Possibly by telling her the truth. Does
that surprise your
She sat down and gave him long, search
ing look. How strong was he? Had he grit
to defy her. if she decided to defy him?
She need not have acknowledged him as her
husband just now. Mary evidently believed
in her, and just as evidently had DOUBTS
about him. Should she have taken those
doubts as her cue. and boldly said that this
man was an impos;or? 1t would have been
a pretty situation. but she recognized that
there were difficulties in it.. For one thing
the dowager would never have believed a
tale like that.
Il think I'm glad l gave you the kiss of
peace just now she said. smiling. I've
acknowledged you as my husband before
those two women. That HOLDS?
For the present, yes.
She laughed. Il thought it would. sne
said, but | couldn't be sure could |!
That's why think Ii was 50 nice of the old
lady to faint. 1t has given me the oppor-
tunity of putting that question to you, and
getting ii answered.
You are pretty cold-blooded!' said Eus-
tace dryly.
perhaps | am" she answered carelessly:
but before you came in those two women
made me feel angry, and I'm not naturally
of forgiving nature. Besides, faint Is
nothing; the old lady will get over it. Now
YOU take me across to the distillery.
Eustace gave her look of mingled sur
prise and questioning.
why do you want to go there?" he
asked.
..Becal.,e I promised Harvey Wiseman
that he should have the pleasure of driv-
ing me back to Elgin. Does my lord and
master object?"
Eustace opened the door for the woman
who had Just claimed him as husband
No" he said. Il dc not object TO Harvey
Wiseman driving, you back to Elgin. But
! warn you that if Wiseman is for you, L
shall be against you. 1t is for you to de-
ode
..Of course it is she answered with. a
laugh. as she swept past him. DO you
think I've come here to play your game
l like my own better, and, in any case. l m
not cut out for the part of the dutiful
Wife
He followed her out into the garden.
Got your motor car here?" she asked.
Yes"
Then run into Elgin tonight and have
talk with me at the hotel. If we are go
ing into partnership had better know
our lines. If were rot, we can tell each
other so, and save misunderstanding L
won't tell Wiseman anything. one~Way or
on second thoughts, l will find my way to
the distillery without you. You go back
and see how the old lady is. Want piece
of advice?"
You may as well give it me along with
the orders said the man, with smile.
Make your peace with the girl
Why do you say that? he asked
sharply.
what started you the game, but l see
what is keeping you at it, Go and make
your peace with her, If you can. l daresay
it will take a bit of lying!'
Il haven't lied to her yet said Eustace.
NO? Then you must be cleverer than l
thought you were. But you'll have to do it
nowr'
There was something in her tone that
sounded like a threat. He heard it, and it
seemed almost as though he had been wait
ing for it. His chin went up. and his Shout
ders back, in the way that meant that he
expected a fight, and was ready. He seem
ed almost pleased, as he asked in a care
less way:
ION, why?'
Because if you don't, 1 shall tell her a
bit more of the truth"
Il remarked just now that l was think
Ing of doing that myself. | might even tell
the whole truth. | suppose that you rec
ognize that 1t will have to be told some
time
She shot doubtful look at him as she
answered:
you're trying to bluff me- aren't you?
How you afford to tell the truth? /
don't see how that would suit you at all
He did not answer, and she went on:
Anyhow, il wouldn't suit me! So if we
are going 10 work together. you had better
do as tell you. We going to work to-
gether. | suppose?"
They had reached the beginning of the
beech avenue. She stopped as she put this
last question. and waited with iil-cone ca led
anxiety for his answer
Don't count that" he said careiessly
Why? Can you afford to- refuse? /
shouldn't have thought it!''
He laughed.
Perhaps not he admitted "but nroba-
bly, shall. Haven't you discovered that T
am one of those pg-headed chaps who take
their own line? | don't think it is going
to be the same yours. somehow
She regarded him for moment in silence
Then she turned sharply away saying: "Oh.
well, We'll talk about that tonight" And
with those words she went on to the distil-
lery alone
Eustace watched her till she turned the
corner al the end of the avenue. He was
reckoning up the new chances. She was
the factor in his problem which he had not
counted, and he had reason to know that
she would be difficult to deal with But the
consideration which above all others forced
itself upon his notice was this: That If
Wlseman was to be rendered nnocuous and