Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-12
CHAPTER VI.

. CHAPTER vi.
There's a lady inquiring for you, sir
Just gone up to your room in the elevator"
the hotel clerk remarked to Mr.. Sabin as
he paused on his way to the door to hand
In his key. Shall l send boy up?''
Mr.. Sabin hesitated
b "a LADY," he remarked tentatively.
The hotel clerk nodded.
Yes. / didn't notice the name, but she
! was an Englishwoman. I'll send up"
Thank you, 1 will return" Mr. Sabin
said IF / should miss her on the way
perhaps you will kindly redirect her to my
rooms"
He rang for the elevator. and was swift
ly transported to his own floor. The door
of his sitting room was open. Duson was
talking to a tall, fair woman, who turned
swiftly round at the sound of his ap-
proach.
"Ah. they found you, them" she ex-
claimed, coming toward Linn with out
stretched hands. Isn't this a strange
place and a strange country for us to meet
once more in?
He greeted her CALAMITY but with a GER
tain reserve, of which she was at once
aware.
Are there any countries in the world
left which are strange to SO great a trav-
eler as Lady Muriel Carey?' he said. THE
papers here have been full of your wonder
She laughed.
Everything shockingly exaggerated, of
course" she declared. Il have really been
plagued to death since got here with in
reviewers, and that sort of person. l
wonder If you know how glad 1 am to see
you again?'
you are very kind, indeed" he said.
Certainly there no one whom l ex-
pected less to over here. You have
come for the yacht races, l supposeT
She looked at him with faint smile and
Come. she said, shall we lie to one
another Is it worth while Candor is SO
much more original
"Candor by all means then, l beg" he
answered.
II have come over with the Dalkeiths,
ostensibly to see the yacht races. Really
] have come to see you"
Mr.. Sabin bowed.
Il am delightfully."- nattered." he MUIR
Il don't exactly mean for the pleasure Of
gazing into your face once more" she con-
tinued. Il have a mission!
Mr.. Sabin looked up quickly.
Great heavens! You, too" he ex-
claimed.
why not?' she asked coolly IT have
been in it for years. you know, and when
i got back from South Africa everything
seemed so terribly slow that / begged for
some work to do
And they sent you hereto me?"
Yes. she answered, "and 1 was here
ask me anything about that"
Mr.. Sabin's eyebrows contracted, his face
darkened. She shrank a little away from
him.
so 1t is you who have robbed me of
her, then" he said slowly. Yes, the de-
scription fits you we'll enough. 1 ask you,
Lady Carey, to remember the last time
when chance brought you and me together
, Have l deserved this from your"
She made little gesture of impotence
DO be reasonable" she begged. What
choice had ~"
He looked at her steadfastly.
The folly of women-of clever women
such as you" he said, lis absolutely
amazing You have deliberately made
"One must have distraction" she MUIR
INJURED.
-Distraetion And so you play at this
Her eyes for moment clouded over with
WEAKNESS.
When one has filled the cup of life to
the brim for many years. she said, what
remains that is worth while?"
He bowed.
You are young woman" he said You
should not yet have learned to speak with
indeed. In youth and age the affections
childhood"
She laughed derisively. yet not unkindly.
What follyr she exclaimed
You are right he admitted II sup
pose 1t Is the fault of old associations"
III a nc" minutes, she said, smiling at
him. we should have Recommendation
tai"
T." he admitted. was nounderng al
ready" She shrugged her shoulders.
You talk as though sentiment were
bog"
There have been worse SMILES" he de-
clared.
,,'How horrid! And do you know, sir for
all your indignation you have not yet even
inquired after your wifes health
~ trust ne said. that she is WE'LL
'She is in excellent health"
Your second visit to this country he re-
marked, follows very swiftly upon your
first"
She nodded,
II am here" she said. ION your account"
You excite my interest,"" ne declared
May i know your mission?"
Il have to remind you of your pledge -
she said. Ito assure you of Lucille's well
fare, and to prevent your leaving the coun-
try"
'Marvelous!' he exclaimed. with slight
mocking smile. And may l ask what
means you intend to employ to keep me
here?"
We'll" she said II have large discre-
tionary powers. We have a very strong
branch over on this side. but l would very
much rather induce you to stay mere. with
out applying to them
And the Inducements" he asked
She took a cigarette from box which
stood on the table and lit one.
We'll. she said. Il might appeal to
your hospitality. might l not? l am in a
strange country which you have made your
home. l want to be shown round. Do
, you remember dining with me one night at
the ambassadors? II was very hot, even
! for Paris. and we drove afterward in the
/ Bots. Ask>me to dine with you here, won I
3 you? 1 have never quite forgotten the last
Mr.. sabin laughed softly. but with I'M
disguised mirth.
: Come" he said. this is an excellent