Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-06

the dark garden with its old-fashioned
scents; she remembered Cores quiet, dis
tinct question-"Not one of them is any
thing to youth any way?'
She remembered this, and she remembered
also the infinitesimal pause that had divided
his question from her answer, when the i'm
ages of Lady Frances Hope, of Serracauld,
of Deerehurst had fitted across her mag
nation. Then, last of all, she recalled her
answer-"Not one of them is anything to
me-in any way.
The moment that had brought forth that
answer had been crucial-had been. pSy-
chologically intensely interesting. 1t had
been the triumph of love-the triumph OF
the egotism that is, and ever must be,
component part of love-
And now, she reviewed the incident in
the colder light of day-aS she turned in
voluntarily and looked at Gore-she was
suddenly mastered by the certain knowl-
edge that, Were the circumstance to be re-
peated, her action would be the same.
With a swift movement she held out her
hand.
walter" she said impulsively. you are
the only person in the world. No one else
exists"
1t was an hour later, and the outward as
pect of Clodagh's drawing room had been
changed. The sun-blinds had been drawn
up, and full flood of light allowed to pour in
across the table in the window. The debris
of leaves and stalks-and with them Deere
bursts card-had been removed to give
place to tea-tray. while through the room
itself rang the gay talk and laughter of
people who have enjoyed genuinely pleas
ant meal.
The tea had been disposed of some little
time ago. but Nance still fingered beside
the tea-table. and at her side stood Gore
and a young man of five-and- twenty, with
a tall, slight figure a pale face, and in
tensely shrewd and penetrating eyes.
Clodagh. still wearing her riding habit,
sat in the center of the room in radiantly
high spirits talking animatedly to a dis
| Tin oylfShed- Hooking with beautiful
| white hair. and slim, graceful girl of
| about Nances age, who sat one on either
| side of her.
Isn't it unknd of Mrs Estcoit Pierce?''
she said. suddenly turning toward the tea
| table. She says you must go"'
| Estcoit laughed-and when he laughed a
| very agreeable CLEAN of humor showed in
| his shrewd eyes.
| But it takes my mother ten minutes to
go from anywhere" he said. ASK Nance
| If it doesn't"
Clodagh laughed gayly.
| Good. Then / can ask ten more ques-
tons about Boston. Mrs. Estcoit, please
| tell me-
But she paused before her sentence was
finished for the handle of the door had
| turned, and, looking up quickly she saw
| the tall figure of Deerehurst
| Had any member of the party looked at
| her in that moment, he or she would have
| seen a wave of color sweep across her face
| then die out leaving her almost white. But
| moment later, when Deerehurst came to-
| ward her across the room with his habitual
! slow, silent step, she raised her head, smil-
| ing a conventional welcome, and held out
| her hand.
He took it silently and with a slightly os-
tentatious impressiveness.
| "A thousand apologies If intrude on a
| social gathering" he murmured But or
| returning home l CHANGED upon the book
| we were discussing today. and remember.
| ing how interested you were" With a
| very quiet movement he laid a small and
| costly little book of verses on the arm oi
| Clodaghs chair, and turned with his usua
| dignity to where Nance was standing.
| How d'you do. Miss Asshlin? Is it toe
| late to beg for cup of tea?'
| Nance held out her hand.
| I'm afraid twill be rather cold" she
| said, a little ungraciously. But If yor
| don't mind that. will you please ring the
| bell. We shall want another cup"
Estcoit glanced at her, humorous iooi
| lowering about his thin lips. and at the
| same instant Gore was conscious of a sud
| den wave of brotherly affection.
But Deerehurst showed embarrass
| ment. He turned to the fireplace, pressed
| the bell. then looked round again upon the
| little group.
| ''Halloo. Gore,'' he said carelessly. 90
thought you were killing salmon at tn,