Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-16

perfect, isn't It? My! never saw such
a beautiful black pearl as that you're
wearing It looks as II 1t came straight
from the Marquis of Anglesea's tie"
;"Oh, no, l Inherited it, said Lady Swim
don. rather Jelly.
That's what comes of being an English
woman" said Theodosia. You inherit
things. and we've got to buy them. Silas
and and Lord Thurso drove to Windsor
this afternoon. Do you know my husband?
All. he's talking to Count vilars over there.
But We had the loveliest time: l never saw
Windsor before. and fancy inheriting that!
But I'm afraid Lord Thurso is sick: he
called at a chemists. and bought some med
icine to be sent back here at once. / guess
he pinned for that medicine. Has he come
out here? No, don't see him. l guess
he's taking 1t now. Lily, think your hus-
band n the loveliest man."
Lily got up; the whole situation was be-
ginning to get on her nerves mos. terribly.
The0dosia. with her frightfully middle class
manner was on her nerves: 1t was on her
nerves. too, that Lady Swindon should
think that Theodocia was typical Ameri-
can, whereas she was a parody. the parody
with which Europe (enly she would have
called 1t Europe) is most familiar. And
Lady Swindon, for all her darling Lily"
was one of those true friends who like
knowing your weak points. Theodosia, as
she was aware, as she got up to talk to
other of her guests. was a weak point:
mention of ThurSo's medicine was q weak
point; Theodosia touched them all with
the unerripG instinct of the true bungler.
And with The courage that wants not to
know the worst which is 80 much superior
TO the cowardice that thinks it is brave
when 1t asks to know the worst, she delib-
erately moved out of earshot
Lady Swindon justified her position as a
true friend. The fads which she had been
SO eager to hear about were quite dis
missed. She proceeded in the spirit of true
inquiry, which wants to know.
What a nice afternoon you must have
had!' she said ITO see Windsor for the
first time is delightful. is 1t not? And to
have Lord Thurso as companion is de-
lightful at any time. But he is not ill., is
he?"
He seemed hungry for that chemist"
said Theodosia, land he seemed Just starry
speed limit for motors over here. but if we
didn't exceed 1t l don't see the use of your
having one"
Lady Swindon was not malicious: she was
also great admirer of LilyS. But she
could not resist her hideous instinct to
know, to be abreast of things, which in
London insures a greater success than
other and more agreeable qualities give.
Dear Thurso," she said, "he has such
dreadful headaches No wonder he wanted
his medicine. If he had one
''Silas used to have dreadful headaches.
said Theodisia. 'They arose from dyspep
STA, to which he is a martyr. But opium
always unmartyred him.
"Ah, opium said Lady Swindon.
Yes. Why there's Count Villars. Count
Villars, l haven't set eyes on you since
lunch. May l introduce you to Lady
Swindon?"
Viliars bowed.
Il think we were introduced some years
ago. he said. How are you, Lady Swim
don? You have come down from Cook
ham?"
on Theodosia
Yes, and 1 am just going back there.
How clever of you to remember where we
live! Take me to my boat, will you? Let
US walk round the garden first"
They strolled few yards down the path
between the two tall herbaceous borders
before she spoke.
And you are staying here?' she asked.
walked together last night after dinner,
and Joined old memories on to the pres
emit"
But she had met her match this time.
Yes, dear lady" he said, I'VE found
that the two needed no link. We had al
ways been excellent friends. and found
that remained so. As always, 1 adore
her; as always, she receives my alteration
from her infinite height. The madonna
still smiles on her worshiper. He asks
no more"
For the moment she was STARTED from
her role of earnest inquirer.
Indeed, l thought you had once asked
more" she said. I'VE all supposed So"
There is no limit to what people of
brilliant and vivid imagination may not
suppose said he.
She could not help smiling; his refusals
to give direct answers were always so
very sifken.
And the truth always exceeds ones
Imagination, does 1t not?" she said. Then
she sank her voice.
And Thurso," she went on. How do you
think he is?
Villars looked at her in bland surprise.
VERY well, surely, Is he not?' he said.
Lady Swindon was afraid there was
more to be got there. She made the best
of it however.