Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-14

spoke now he brought a tone of Difference
and friendliness into his words that touched
Clodagh to feeling OF companionship.
Then you know Ireland?' she said.
quickly.
Very well. indeed"
Her expression softened.
When were you there last?" she asked
in low voice.
Last autumn. was staying at Arran-
more with"
with Lord Muskeere. I know. I know.
Why. you were in county. My father
often and often stayed at Arranmore be-
fore" She checked herself hastily. oh.
added. little awkwardly. at was from a
stream that runs by Arranmore that he
took my name-Clodagh."
Indeed! What charming ideal"
Deerehurst raised his gold-rlmmed eye
glass and peered at her through the dusk.
At the same moment Serracauld leaned
forward in his seat.
"Clodaghr' he repeated "Clodagh. What
a pretty name!"
Once more. and without apparent reason.
Clodagh felt her heart beat unevenly With
a short laugh she turned to Barnard.
And you. Mr.. Barnard" she said. hastily
do you like the name?"
Barnard made a suave gesture.
Il say that II fits its owner"
Once more she laughed with a tinge Of
nervous excitement.
"A very guarded statement" she said.
brightly. Il think We had better talk about
something else Who are the people I am
W meet mere. MT. kindly wants
to provide me with new friends"
She turned again to Deerehurst.
indeed! Once more he lifted the gold
trimmed eyeglasses. this time to study Bar
nard.
! Yes broke In Barnard. genially Mrs
Milbanke's husband and have met lere to
talk shop; and l have a shrewd PRESENT.
ment that unless we provide her with a d.
verting channel or two Mrs Milbanke may
find Venice a bore
Il could never do that"
Clodagh turned an animated face toward
the dark fiotilia, on the outskirts of which
their own gondola was lowering.
But, my dear lady, even Venice can be-
come embarrassing and dry, paradoXcal as
1t may sound" Barnard returned airly.
MY proposal he explained. rs, that l
should make Frances Hope and Mrs. Mil
banke known to each other. Don't you think
the idea BRILLIANT"
quite. Outer Serracauld looked up in
terestedly. You man of IDEAS.
Barny!'
Lord Deerehurst said nothing but again
his eyeglass cleaned in the uncertain light.
What is Lady Frances Hope like?' Clo-
dagh asked. suddenly Withdrawing her gaze
from the massed gondolas that swayed in
the musicians lantern light.
'I.ike?" Serracauld repeated vaguely.
How would you describe her, uncle? The
sort of woman who does everything twice
as we'll as anybody else-and at half the
cost-eh?"
Lord Deerhurst gave one of his thin. me-
tallic laughs
Il always think" he said slowly, that IL
Lady Frances Hope had been the child OF
a milkman instead of a n arquis she would
have made singularly successful adven-
turess. No reflections cast upon the late
Sammy. my dear Barnard
He waved his white hand. and the dim.
uncertain light cleaned on a magnificent
diamond ring.
Barnard laughed with a tolerant air
Rather an apt deduction" he admitted.
II am inclined to agree with you. Frances
10 met of NIL
attractive women who enjoy climbing steep
ladders. 1t is rather pity she was born
on the top rung. But l believe We have
frightened Mrs. Milbanke!
He turned suddenly and caught Clodag h 8
expression she sat forward listening ia
tently.
At the mention of her name she laughed
quickly. and leaned back against the cush-
ions of her seat.
What do you mean?" she asked with
touch of constraint. Am 1 as childish as
all that?'
They all three looked at her, and Barnard
gave an amused laugh.
Gomez" he cried banteringly. There's
no use telling me you weren't just little
shocked"
''Shocked?"
yes, shocked" He nodded his head once
or twice in genial gayety. There's no de-
nying that the word adventures has
daunting sound. There was a danger-signal
in the very thought of lady who might
under any conditions-have been notorious
Come now, CONFESS.
Clodagh looked from his amused. quizzical
eyes to Serracauld's satirlcal. laughing
ones and a shadow of uncertainty--of
doubt-crossed her own bright face There
was an element in this social atmosphere
that she did not quite understand.
"Indeed-'' she began holly.
But Serracauld. whose glance had never
left her own. bent forward quickly, look
ing up into her face.
II say Mrs. Milbanke.'' he cried. lets
refute the insinuation of this old inquisi-
tori Let's waive ceremony and storm Lady
Frances Hope in her citadel! She is always
at home at this hour of night"
Clodagh looked up.
Tonight" she said. ''Oh, how could II
/ don't know her
Serracauld laughed.
"Oh as for that, we're abroad, not In
England. The greatest stickler for etiquetts
allows that there's difference in the two
conditions.
but I couldn't. How could II" Her
eyes sought Barnard's.
"Oh yes!' he cried. II knew II! l knew
it, We have frightened you OFF,! .
She flushed uncomfortably.
ut isn't that" she cried in distress. You
know II isn't that" Involuntarily she
turned to Lord Deerehurst; but in the dim
light she detected a smile on his pale, cold
face
With a sudden change of emotion, self
reliance cam, to her.
where does Lady Frances Hope live?"
she asked. in careless voice.
Barnard was studying her intently.
.She has apartments in the Palazzo Ugo-
chini," he sale. quite close at hand
For moment Clodagh looked fixedly In
front of her; then her lips closed suddenly
and she turned her head.
Very weIl.'t she said. shortly. Take me
to the Paiazzo Ugochini-just to prove that
you were wrong"
(To be continued tomorrow)