Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-22


table in Lady Frances Hopes salon. She
had been playing for two hours. with luck
persistently against her: but no one who
had CHANGED to glance at her eager, ex-
cited face would have imagined even for
moment that the collection of coins in her
gold-netted purse was dwindling and not
increasing.
Deerehurst had been correct in his deduc-
tons. She played for the plays sake.
The losing game, the hazardous game, was
the one which appealed to and absorbed
her; the SAVIOR of risk stimulated her; the
faint sense of danger lifted her to an en-
chanted realm. And on this night she made
stood fascinated by the chances of the
play-her face flushed, her eyes intensely
bright. her fingers restlessly eager to make
their stakes. Round about her gath
cred little group of interested and admir-
ing men-Deerehurst. Lizard, Serracauld
and couple of young Americans who had
come to Venice with introductions to Lady
FRANCES Hope; but on none of them did she
bestoW more than a preoccuped attention.
She permitted them to stand beside her;
she laughed softly at their compliments
and their jests but her eyes and her
thoughts were Enthusiastically for the paint
ed board over which Barnard was pre-
siding. Another half-dozen rounds of the
game were played; then suddenly she turn
ed away from the table with q quick laugh.
THE end she said to Serracauld who
was standing nearest to her. and with a
quick gesture she held up the gold-netted
purse. now limp and empty.
With an eager movement he stepped for
ward.
Let me be useful?' he whispered,
quickly.
'Or me? I represent your husband, you
know Barnard leaned across the roulette
table.
''Oh, come, Barry. l spoke first"
But Clodagh looked smilingly from one
TO the other and shook her head.
No-no,' she said, hastily. Il never
borrow money!
Serracauld looked obviously disappointed.
Nonsense. Mrs. Milbanke-" he began.
But Deerehurst INTERVIEWED
II Mrs. Miibanke does not wish it. Val
entne- he murmured, soothingly Mrs
Mibbanke, let me take you out Of tempta-
tion."
He bowed to Clodagh and courteouslv
made passage for her through the crowd
that surrounded them. If any cynical re-
membrance of her first vehement repudia-
ton of the suggestion that she should gam
pie rose now to confute her newer denial
no shadow of it was visible in his face
AS they freed themselves from the grouu
or players they paused simultaneously and
looked for moment around the large,
cool salon, about which the elder or more
serious or the assembly We're scattered for
conversation or cards. Neither spoke but
after moments wait Deerehurst turned
ms pale eyes in the direction of the open
windows and by the faintest lifting of his
CScoiO"S conveyed question.
Clodagh laughed then silently bent her
mead and moment later they moved for
ward together across the polished floor.
AS they passed one of the many groups of
sta.uary that frightened the more shad-
owed portion of the room, Clodagh caught
a glimpse of her hostess, once again in con-
Versation with Sir Walter Gore, and she
was conscious in that fleeing moment of
in quick regard.
With a swift, almost defiant, movement
she lifted her head and turned ostentatious-
ly to Deerehurst
is 1t to be philosophy tonight2, she ask
ed, In a low. soft voice.
He paused and looked at her, his cold,
pale eyes slow and searching in their re-
gard.
Not tonight-Circe,' he said, almost be-
low his breath.
Clodagh colored, gave another quick, ex-
cited laugh. and moving past him, stepped
through one of the open windows
Gaining the balcony she did not as usual
drop into one of the deep lounge-chairs, but
moving straight forward, stood by the iron
railing and looked down upon the quiet
canal.
The night was exceptionally clear. even
for Italy. Every star was reflected in the
smooth. dark waters; while over the oppo-
site palaces a crescent moon hung like a
slender reaping hook, extended from heaven
to garner some mystic harvest
For moment Deerehurst hesitated to dis
turb her; but at last. waving his scruples,
he went softly forward and stood beside
her.
Are you offended" he asked, in a very
low voice.
NO"
Her answer came almost absently; her
eyes were fixed upon the moon.
Then sad?"
II don't know Perhaps"
He drew a little nearer.
And why sad?
She gave n quick sigh and turned from
the glOrieS of the night.
g! have only two more days in Venice.
Isn't that reason for being sad?'
But why leave Venice?"
MY husband is leaving"
He smiled family.
And is he such a tyrant that you must go
where he goes?'
She laughed involuntarily.
"a tyrant.' she said. "Oh, no. I can
scarcely say he is a tyrant."
Then why do you go with him.
She looked round for a moment. then her
eyes returned to the pageant of the sky.
why does one do anything?" she said.
suddenly, in changed voice.
With a quiet movement Deerehurst leaned
forward over the railing and looked into
her face.
Usually we do things because we must"
he said. softly But compulson is not al
ways disagreeable. Sometimes we are COM
PEELED to action by our own DESIRES
Clodagh, conscious of his close regard, felt
her breath come a little quicker. But she
did not change her position: she did not
cease to study the sky. She knew that his
arm was all but touching hers; she was sem
sitive to the faint and costly perfume that
emanated from his clothes. But she felt
these things vaguely, impersonally. as items
in drama unconnected with herself. When
his next words came it was curiosity rather
than dread that stirred In her mind.
ut is my desires that are forcing me to
speak now. The desire to see you again
after you leave Venice-the desire to. see
more Of you than mere acquaintance
sees-to be something more than a mere
friend"
Clodagh still looked intently at the stars,
but unconsciously her lips parted.
"Why?" she asked, below her breath.
And 1t seemed to her that the word was
not spoken by her. but by some one else.
With an eager gesture Deerehurst ex-
tended his hand and his long, pale fingers
closed over her own.
Then out across the darkness and the ST.
lence of the balcony floated the strong, de-
cisive voice of Lady Frances Hope.
Lord Deerehurst! 1t called Lord
Deerehurst! So sorry, but Rose wants you
to give an expert opinion upon one point in
a game of bridge 1t won't take two min
utes."
The voice faded away again as its owner
moved back into the room.
At the sound of his name Deerehurst had
drawn himself erect Now, bending for
ward silently and swiftly, he lifted the hand
he was still holding and kissed It vehe-