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


men in London who would give quite lot If l
honored them by this morning CALI"
Il do believe it, said David gravely, and
that is just why you are here, and not with one
little lady than you profess to be"
She actually blushed. David, she said, you
are nice boy l wish you were my brother.
You would be fine and dandy as sister.
We'll, let's be friends. And the first sign
of friendship is common alliance. I've taken
your side against Strauss
What of him?" demanded David warlly.
Now no fencing, the alliance is off.
You were down at Rigsworth yesterday, re-
member, and you came back in a mighty, tenn
per. Not even your pretty Violet was all per-
lection last evening.
We'll, l am not here to pump YOU or else
would surprise you bit more. No, David,
I'm here Just because I'm woman, and as
| can't help interfering in a love affair,
though it isn't my own. Did YOU know that
Strauss took Jenny to Rigsworth yesterday"
Jenny? Why jenny"
That is what l wanted to know. And she
wouldn't tell me, the cat, until | got my Irish
up and offered to drag her over the furniture
by the hair of her head. At last she owned
up, and l got the whole story
I'm tell you everything; so keep calm First,
the night before last, Strauss came to me"
"One moment" broke in David. Is this
Strauss?" and he handed her the portrait
She looked at it and laughed why, of
course it ISL she said. Strauss turned up the
night before last and wanted to borrow Jenny
for the whole of next day. So l packed
Jenny off about eight o'clock next morning
yesterday, that is. The mink came Sinking
home about midnight.
There was trouble when l asked her what
Strauss wanted. But at last she confessed
that Strauss told her that his name now was
van Hupfeldt, and he wanted her to go down
to Rgsworth to be introduced to two ladies
as Sarah Gissing, Gwen Barnes's maid.
What" yelled David springing to his feet.
"Sit down, boy, sit down. You men are
all six of one and half dozen of the other
where woman is concerned. Poor thingsl
l wonder how any of us escape you at all!
Still, Strauss is pretty artful, | admit. You
see, Jenny having been in service here, could
lie so smoothly about Gwen Barnes that it
would be hard to find her out
Did she do this?" asked David in fierce
excitement.
Miss L'Estrange laughed again as she Sc
lected a cigarette. Did the cat steal cream?
Fancy Jenny being offered twenty pounds for
a days prevarication and refusing it! Why,
that girl lies for practise"
''Oh, please go on!' he groaned.
Queer game, isn't it? | often think the
ha'penny papers don't get hold of half the
good things that are going. Well, Jenny, ac-
Cording to her own version, fooled Mrs. Nor
daunt and your Violet in great shape. What
is more, Strauss and lawyer man wheedled
them into signing all sorts of papers, including
a marriage settlement. Will you believe it?
the Dutchnan had the cheek to give your
Violet the certificates which Jenny sold to
him
David said something under his breath.
Yes" said Miss l. Estrange, The deserves
it. l can't abide by who goes in for
deceiving a poor girl. So, at my own loss,
mind you, l determined to come here this
morning and give you friendly tip
Heaven knows l shall endeavor to repay
you!" sighed David, in perfect heat now to
be out and doing, doing he knew not what.
is she very beautiful your Violet" asked
his visitor, turning on him with one of her bird
Ike movements of the head.
That is her sister," said David finging
hand toward the portrait.
"Ah, knew Gwen Barnes. Saw her in the
theater, you know. A nice girl, but nothing
to rave about; rather of the clinging sort.
You men prefer that type, do believe. And
now that you have heard my yarn, you want
me to go, chr"
No, no. No hurry at all"
You dear David Mouth all No. eyes all
Yes That's it. Treat me like an old shoe.
Bless you! we worship that sort of
thing, until, all at once, we blaze up. Well,
you will give Strauss a drubbing of these
days, and l sha'n't be sorry. l hate pretty
men They are all affectation, and waxy like
a BARRIERS doll. Well, fatal You're going
to have a nice, pleasant day, l can see. But,