Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-07-16
CHAPTER XIII.

YET WubI almOSI nave nedTu tne dugu.
while there was still smile on his face
a. he bowed before her.
II have never" he said. as he seated
himself. been at an entertainment OF
this description before. I am only be-
ginner. In our country we manage things
differently; and | cannot yet understand
Tow much talking and 10 little action can
benefit any cause"
But" said Miss Winter "you are not
new to England. There Is nothing about
YOU to lead one to that conclusion"
THANK you," he replied, gravely. MY
claw-ha mmer coat was made in Piccadil-
ly. so suppose it is all right"
He looked down at the garment in
question. and busted the sleeves lightly
will, a perfectly gloved hand.
do you like it" he inquired simply.
Miss Winter was becoming interested.
She therefore quelled Il sudden desire TO
laugh. and answered:
YES; 1t IL a very nice coat"
IL am not" he said. after pause. new
to England, but l have not moved much
in London society. l suppose the men
do all the moving in your society?-th'y
seem to- The women sit mostly still and
walt till the men come to them. With us
It IL different"
"The women" replied this womanv
lady, ARE beginning to move with u.s. ana
from what l have seen of the result.
rather incline toward the old policy OF
sitting still"
He turned and looked at her with
little nod. There was In his queer rest
less eyes a distinct glance Of approval.
"Yes," he said, yes. So l should sur
mise. Our ladies are very fascinating
and very clever, and all that, but-but
the young men do not seem to make such
a pretty show of loving them as we read
OF In olden times. At all events. they do
not continue to show them that regard
which, l remember, my father showed
toward my mother"
III myself am an humble admirer OF
the womanly school,"
"And l." added Easton. "Now," he
continued, after pause. do tell me.
what do all these good people think they
are doing here to-night?"
"They think firstly" replied Miss Win
ter, that they are getting their names
into the fashionable society papers. Sec
ondly, that their natural or artificial
adornment is creating distinct impress
sion. Thirdly. aud lastly. that they are
assisting in some indefinite way toward
the solution of a problem of which the
rudiments are entirely unknown"
''rhen In England. as we'll as in my
own country. charity is recognized play
thing of society,"" suggested Easton.
Eyes. We take 1t up in late autumn
and winter when there are no races, no
regattas. nor lawn tennis parties"
"Ah then" said the American. $50
ciety is very much the same here as else
where"
At this moment Oswin Grace passed
Within earshot Of them. lie heard the
remark. and recognized the voice. When
he turned. his surprise at seeing Miss
Winter and Easton together was SO mark
ed "a to cause little frown to pass
across the queer. wsful face of the
American. lie returned the young Eng
IIshman's comprehensive bow. however
with perfect equanimity.
''You know Oswin Grace" inquired
Miss Winter.
"Oh. yes." was the cool reply: "Tyars
brought him to my rooms one evening"
Miss Winter skillfully concealed eager
ness.
"lhey are great friends" she said.
lightly.
"Ye-es Yes, Tyars constantly talks
Of him."
IL suppose" continued Miss Winter. in
the same indFerently conversational way.
"thnt they hive many interests in COM
mon both being sailors. At least. l be-
lieve Claud Tyars considers himself
sailor now"
This was clever. and the wary little
-.
Winter knew less Of the past life Of Tyars
than she would have him believe. More
over. he suspected that she had never
hitherto called him Claud Tyars. The
Implied familiarity was a trap, womanly,
clever and SUBTLE but Easton avoided It
with equal skill. He maintained an easy
silence. Immediately afterward. how
ever. he made a bundcr.
"Oswin." said Miss Winter. sis a great
friend Of mine. and l think Helen is my
greatest friend"
"A sister?" inquired Easton, rashly.
Eyes. Mr.. Tyars has not spoken of
her, them"
mo. Tyars did not tell me that Grace
had a sister"
There was short pause. Perhaps the
American heard the little sigh of relief
given ny his companion, marking, as II
were, the relaxation OF an effort; such
. sigh as an athlete gives when he has
scored a success and his weary muscles
fall into repose. He became instantly
conscious of his blunder. lie had been
outwitted by this pleasant woman He
Matthew Mark Easton-a born in
triguer. a man with real genius for CON
spiracy.
ALI" reflected Miss Winter why has
Mr.. Tyars omitted to make mention Of
Heien's existence?" And with feminine
intuition she made hasty mental note Of
this important item.
80" unused Easton during ths same
pause, there Is a Miss Grace, and Tyars
never mentioned her. must he very
careful. Seems to me that there are two
men at stake here. not one and | cannot
afford to lose two sailors such as these"
Miss Winter was now drawn into a
vortex Of light hearted idlers bent upon
O systematic inspection of the pictures.
and from their ranks Easton took the first
opportunity Of dropping away unobserved
They did not speak again during the even
Ing: but the little seed was sown-the
little seed OF mutual esteem or mutual
dislike. as the case may be. which under
either circumstance seems 20 draw some