Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-13
THE GAMBLER
KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON,
Author Of 1.-The Masquerader." Etc.
rights rrved)

elaborate dress
Again she colored.
1T isn't that" she said In a low quick
voice. James doesn't care about parties
or people"
Barnards lips parted to express surprise
or sympathy; but she finished her sentence
hastily.
And OF course 1 like what he likes"
Barnard bent his head.
"Of course" he said, systematically, and
dropped back into silence.
For a time he remained apparently alb
sorbed in his dinner. Then, as Clodagh be-
gan to wonder uncomfortably whether she
had unwittingly offended him. he turned to
her again.
Mrs. Milbanke." he said softly. would
you think me very presumptuous If l were
to make little proposal?'
Clodagh frightened.
"Of course not. Say anything you like"
You will be here for a week."
II hope So" She glanced covertly at
Milbanke.
"Oh. yes. you will. shall arrange It."
She looked at him quickly.
Your" she said. ''How?''
Never mind how" He smiled reassurlng
ly. You will be here for week, and my
proposal is that while Milbanke is settling
his business / should be allowed to intro
duce you to some English friends of nine
who are In Venice Just now. 1t may be
presumptuous, but / seem to feel'-he
hestated for a moment seem to feel
that you want to make new friends-that
you want to have a good time. Forgive my
being very blunt"
Clodagh sat silent. She felt no resentment
at his words. but they vaguely embarrassed
her. The new possibility thrilled her. yet
insensibly she hesitated before II.
But ought I to want new friendsG" she
asked at last. in very low and undecided
voice.
Barnard laid down the glass that he was
lifting to his lips and looked at her quickly.
Her freshness charmed while her naivete
puzzled him.
We'll, Mrs. Millbanke." he said, sudden
ly, suppose we find that out?'
And leaning forward, he addressed Mil
banke.
James," he said, II have just been maxi
ing little suggestion. While you and are
putting our ancient heads together, don't
you think Mrs. Mbanke ought to study
her Venice-local color-atmosphere-ai that
sort of thing?"
Milbanke turned in his seat
"Eh, David?" he exclaimed. whats that
you say?"
Il was suggesting that Mrs. Milbanke
should see little of Venice now that she
is here"
He indicated the long windows of the din
ing room through which the sound of voices
and light music was already being borne on
the purple twilight.
Milbankes face became slightly disturbed.
"Of course-of course" he said. vaguely.
"But-but neither of us care much for con-
ventional sightseeing; and then, you know,
my time here is limited
Exactly! Exactly what / was saying.
Your time is valuable. All the more danger
of Mrs. Milbanke's hanging heavy on her
hands. Now there are some charming peo-
pie staying here at present who would be
only too delighted to make her visit pleas
amt
Milbanke's expression cleared
'Oh, we'll" he began in a relieved
voice.
Exactly, Lady Frances Hope is here.
You remember Lady Frances who married
my cousin. Sammy Hope-the red-headed
little beggar who went into the navy? She
would be immensely Interested in Mrs Mil
banke. f-wish you would let me make them
known to each other"
He smiled suavely. thoroughly in his ele-
ment at the prospect OF working a little
social scheme.
Milbanke looked at Clodagh.
What do you think, my dear?" he asked,
vaguely.
Clodagh looked down at her plate
Il don't quite know" she murmured. .
Barnard leaned close to her in a confid-
ing manner
"Quite right, Mrs Milbanke" he said
Never trouble to analyze your feelings
Just give them a free rein. Lady Frances
Hope is a most charming woman. Always
bright, always good natured, always in the
swim-if you understand that very express
sive phrase"
Clodagh smiled as she helped herself
to an Ice. During their conversation the
dinner had drawn toward its close, and
here and there people were already ris-
ing from table and moving toward the
hall or the long windows that opened onto
the canal. Unconsciously her eyes turned
in the direction of these open windows.
through which a flood of light streamed
out upon the water. bringing into promi-
hence the dark gondolas that fitted perpet-
ually to and fro like great black bats.
Seeing her glance, Barnard turned to herr
again.
''shall we charter gondola?' he asked.
Its the thing to do here
Her eyes sparkled..
ooh, how lovelyr' she said; then invol-
unfairly her face fell and she looked att
her husband.
But perhaps" she began deprecat-
ingly.
As the word escaped her Milbanke-who|
had been oblivious of the conversation
pushed back his chair and rose from the|
table with a faint exclamation of excite
ment.
"Ah, there he Isl" he cried, his eyes fxed|
upon distant corner of the room. "There|
he is! 1 must not run the risk of missing|
him!'
Clodagh turned to him eagerly
James," she began, Mr.. Barnard
But Milbanke's mind was elsewhere
My dear" he said hurriedly, "youI
must really excuse me. A man like Mr..
Angelo Tones is parsonage of impor-
tance."
Yes; but, James"
She paused. disconnected. Milbanke had
left the table.
For quite a minute she sat silent. herr
cheeks burning and her eyes smarting With
a sudden, intolerable sense of mortifica- !
ton and neglect. To a reasoning and ex
perienced mind the incident would have
carried no weight at most 1t would have
offered grounds for a passing amusement
But with Clodagh the case was different
Circumstances had never demanded the cul
tivation of her reason, and experience was
an asset she was not possessed of. To her
sensitive, youthful susceptbilities the incl
dent could only wear one complexion. Her
husband had obviously and Willingly hui
inflated her in presence of his friends.
She sat with frightened lips, staring un
seeingly at the table.
Then suddenly and softly some one
crossed the room behind her and paused
beside her chair. Turning with little
start, she saw the pale, clean-cut featured
and searching. dark eyes of Valentine Ser
racauld.
Mrs Milbanke." he said at once. in his
easy fngratiating voice, IF you are not do
ing anything else this evening. may placd
my uncle's gondola at your disposal? Both
he and I would be considerably honored il
you and your husband
Clodagh looked UP into his face with
quick glance of pleasure and relief
"Oh thank YOU" she said. THANK yot
SO very much. / should love to come onl
my husband isis busy tonight
She paused. and in the pause Barnard
leaned close to her again with his mos