Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-05
CHAPTER xxx,


not that a little premature?"
Lucille shrugged her beautiful shoulders,
and leaned back in her corner of the couch
with half-closed eyes. The duchess. who
was very Anglo-Saxon. was an easy person
to read, and Lucille was anxious to know
her fate.
''Why premature?" she asked. II was
sent for to use my influence with Reginald
Brott. Well, 1 did my best, and L believe
that for days 1t was just a chance whether
1 did not succeed. However, as it happened.
I failed. One of his friends came and pulled
him away just as he was wavering. He has
declared himself now once and for all. AT
ter his speech at Glasgow he cannot draw
back. 1 was brought all the way from
America, and want to go back to my hus-
band"
The duchess pursed her lips.
when one has the honor, my dear" she
said, of belonging to so wonderful an or
ganization as this we must not consider too
closely the selfish claims of family am
sure that years ago l should have laughed
at any one who had told me that !, Geor-
gina CroXton, should ever belong to such
thing as a secret society, even though IT
had some connection with so harmless and
excellent an organization as the Primrose
League"
TT does seem remarkable" Lucille MUIR
INJURED.
But look what terrible times have come
upon u.s. the duchess continued, without.
girl radical was a person absolutely with
out consideration. Now all our great cities
are hotbeds of socialism and-and anarch-
ism. The whole country seems banded to-
gether against the aristocracy and the land
owners. Combination among us became alb
solutely necessary in some shape or form
When the prince came and began to drop
hints about the way the spread of social
ism had been checked in Hungary and Aus
tria, and even Germany, l was Interested
from the first. And when he went further,
and spoke of the society, it was L who per-
suaded Dorset to join. Dear man, he is
very earnest, but very slow, and very
averse to anything at all secretive. 1 am
sure the reflection that he is member OF
a secret society, even although 1t Is sim.
ply linking together of the aristocracy of
Europe in their own defense, has kept him
awake for many a night.
Lucille was little bored.
"The society,"" she said, SIS an admirable
one enough but just now am beginning to
feel it little exacting. I think that the
prince expects a good deal Of one. shall
certainly ask for my release tonight"
The duchess looked doubtful.
"Releasev' she repeated. Come, Is that
not rather an exaggerated expression? 1
trust that your stay at Dorset House has
not in any way suggested an imprison-
ment"
ION the contrary" Lucille answered;
"you and the duke have been most kind.
But you must remember that I have
home of my own-and a husband of my
own"
It have no doubt" the duchess said. that
you will be able to return to them some
day. But you must not be impatient 1 do
not think that the prince has given up all
hopes of Reginald Brott yet
Lucille. was silent. SO her emancipation
was to be postponed. After all, it was what
she had feared. She sat watching idly the
duchess knitting needles. Lady Carey
came sweeping in, wonderful in black vel
vet gown and a display of jewels almost
barbaric.
ION my way to the OPERA she announced
1.-THE Maddersons sent me their box. Will
any of you good people come? What do
you say, Lucille?
Lucille shook her head.
MY toilette is deficient" she said; "and
besides, am staying at home to- See the
prince. We expect him this evening"
You'll probably be disappointed then"
join us at the opera. Run and change your
gown. I'll watt
Are you sure that the prince will be
there?" Lucille asked
Certain
'Then 1 will come" she said, eff the
duchess will excuse me-
The Duchess and Lady Carey were left
alone for a few minutes. The former put
down her knitting
''Why do we keep that woman here she
asked. NOW that Brott has broken away
from her altogether"
Lady Carey laughed meaningly.
Better ask the prince" she remarked.
The duchess frowned.
My dear Muriel," she said. 81 think that
you are wrong to make such insinuation
am sure that the prince is too much de-
voted to our cause to allow any personal
considerations to intervene.
Lady Carey yawned.
RATS" she exclaimed.
The duchess took up her knitting, and
went on with it without remark. Lady
Carey burst out laughing
Don't look so shocked" she exclaimed.
"It's funny. I can't help being a bit
slangy. You do take everything serious
ly. OF course you can see that the prince is
waiting to make a fool Of himself over Lu-
cille He has been trying more or less all
his life
He may admire her." the duchess said.
II sure that he would not allow that to
influence him in his present position. By
the by, she is anxious to leave US now that
the Brott affair is over. Do you think that
the prince will agree?"
Lady Carey's face hardened.
81 am sure that he will not she said
coolly '"There are reasons why she may
not at present be allowed to rejoin her hus-
band
The duchess used her needles briskly.
For my part she said, II see no OBJ
ject in keeping her here any longer. Mr.
Brott has shown himself quite capable of
keeping her at arms length. l cannot see
what further use she is
Lady Carey heard the f1utter Of skirts out
side and rose.
"There are wheels within Wheels" she re-
marked. my dear Lucille what a charm
ing toilette. we Shall have the lady jour-
nalists besieging us in our box. Paquin,
of course. Goodnight duchess Glad to
see you're getting on with the socks,
stockings, do you call them?"
Insolent, aristocratic now and then at
tractive in some strange suggestive way,
Lady Carey sat in front of the box and ex-
changed greetings with her friends. Pres
entity the prince came in and took the chair
between the two women. Lady Carey greet
ed him with nod. -
Here's Lucille dying to return to her
lawful husband" she remarked. "Odd
thing, isn't it? Most of the married women
I ever knew are dying to get away from
theirs. You can make her happy or miser-
able in a few moments
The prince leaned over between them, but
he looked only at Lucille.
Il wish that I could he murmured. 81
wish that that were within my power"
ut is" she answered coolly. "Muriel is
quite right. I am most anxious to return
to my husband"
The prince said nothing. Lady Carey.
glancng toward him at that moment was
surprised at certain signs of disquietude in
his face which startled her.
What is the matter with your she asked
almost roughly.
Matter with me? Nothing" he an
swered. "Why this unaccustomed solicit
tude?,
Lady Carey looked into his face fiercely.
\