Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-11
nvI-continued.

As on the night years ago when Milbanke
had come to Orristown, the old room was
prepared to do honor to q guest. The table
cloth was laid. places were set for two, anu
the great silver sconces were filed with
candles that glowed SO brightly that even
the dark portraits on the walls were thrown
into relief. But no fire biazed IN the wide
crate as on the former occasion, and the
curtains of the three long windows were
drawn back. admitting, the light from the
stormy evening sky.
Clodagh's first glance, as she entered the
room, was for these windows. and her first
words concerned them.
Larry, draw the curtains" she said.
To her own ears her voice seemed to come
thin and far away: but Asshlin seemed to
observe nothing. He went forward obedi-
emily and drew the six long curtains.
AS the last was pulled into place, Burke
entered. and carefully laid two dishes upon
the table. A moment later CIodagh took
her seat.
What will you eat. Larry?" she said.
hurriedly Chicken? Ham,"
Asshlin turned to her he in his turn
took his place.
what will you have?" he said.
II? Oh-anything. But talk. Larry! Tell
me things! Let's-let's be gay!
Asshlin was busy cutting up the chicken.
He did not hear the family hysterical note
that underran her voice-the note of warn
ing from mind trying with panic-stricken
haste to evade itself.
He helped her to some chicken, and Burke.
laying the plate before her. went in search
of wine.
She toyed for moment or two with the
food, making pretense to eat
At last Larry looked at her.
You're eating nothing. Aren't you hun
gry?"
She started nervously.
mo: I'm not hungry. II had glass of
m nm I mo
ner." She tried to laugh she told the
falsehood.
He accepted the explanation.
''Then you must have a glass of wine
tered with dusty bottle of port Give me
the bottle, Burke.
He took it from the old mans hands, and
poured some wine into Clodagh's glass, and
as he leaned forward he suddenly saw by
the light of the candles that her eyes were
wide and black, her face very white.
'Clo, you're not feeling ill?" he asked, in
Clodagh put her hand to her lace with
startled gesture.
mo! Do look ill? It's the storm. The
storm has got on my nerves We develop
nerves in London, you know" Again she
attempted to laugh.
Once more Asshlin accepted her expIana-
ton as something he had no authority to
question.
II want you to talk, Larry" she added.
hurriedly. 1 want you to talk. Say any
thing! Take me out Of myself.'
She raised her glass to her lips and drank
some of the wine. 1t brought faint tinge
of color to her cheeks, but only increased
the bright darkness of her eyes
While Asshlin consumed his dinner. she
sat very upright in her chair, slipping her
wine from time to time or breaking small
mouthfuls from her bread.
AT last having lowered anxiously about
her, Burke made bold to speak his thoughts.
is it the way the chicken isn't nice,
ma am?' he ventured..
She started she had started each time
she had been directly addressed.
mo, Burke. Oh. no. she said. hastily.
the storm has-has given me a headache"
Burke shook his head sympathetically as
a sudden gale swept around the house.
"'Tis lookin for a bad night. sure
enough" he said. as he passed round the
table with the next course.
When the pudding had been served and
partaken of by Asshin, Clodagh at last
pushed back her chair, and, with a GU
riously unstrung movement, walked across
the room to the fireplace.
Larry she said. suddenly, will you
play cards with me when Burke takes the
things away?
Asshlin looked up with interest.
by Jove." he said. What good ideaw
When Burke reappeared. solemnly carry
ing some cheese, Clodagh turned to him
quickly.
as there pack of cards in, the house.
Tim?" she asked.
He glanced at her white face and up
right figure. but his expression betrayed
nothing.
IT do be- thinkin there's a deck some
place, If I could lay me mind on it,
Asshlin leaned across the table.
There's pack in the drawer of the
sideboard."
Burke crossed the room. but not over