Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-16
Immediately on her arrival the talk turn

Immediately on her arrival the talk turn
ed TO Count Bordeaux.
What a wonderful schemer Mrs. Martyr
is," said Mrs. Rushton from her place by
the tea table. 1T was a great stroke to
capture the count for Amy. wasn't 1t? They
met him in Rome last year. I've never
heard of him before, and he's rather impov-
erished, fancy. Zone lump or two, Miss
Cartonf I always forgetl) I suppose Any' 8
engagement will soon be announced. And
what blow 1t will be for poor Bruce Ray
burn! They say he's madly In love with
her and has fairly haunted the-ah. here's
George Vane Georgia. my dear. we've
just been talking about the count and
Amy"
long gloves. "One seas them together
everywhere. It's FARTHER hard on Bruce
Rayburn, isn't TT But / suppose he saw
1t coming, for he's gone west.
Then 1t was truel Kitty felt that she
could not go to the office just yet. she
must have time to think, and after leav-
ing Mrs Rushton she sought the refuge
of her own room. 1t was twilight, and
fire burned in the tiny CRATE.
BY this Kitty crouched staring into the
flames. Although 1t had been month
since she had last seen Bruce Rayburn,
back of everything there had always been
the hope that he was merely piqued ana
that. he would return to her. And now
Kitty slipped a photograph of Amy Mar
tyn from portfolio near by and looked
at 1t. but without resentment
You aren't in 1t. Kitty Carton" she
said to herself, land what's more-you
never were. You knew him only three
weeks. and in all that time he never said
a word of love 10 you. Yet you had to set
to work building air castles and letting
your fancy run riot. But, remember. what
ever happens, you have your scoop!
All, but had she? Though Amy Martyr
was not directly mentioned, her name
would be inevitably dragged into IT as soon
as peoples tongues were set to wagging.
Apl Nor tt-ri he VI
burn lovedl
'It can't be done" said Kitty DULY.
Don't be a sentimental fool cried her
ambition. Here is a thing that you have
always longed for within your grasp. Think
of the office! Think of the fun and tri-
umph of telling James Bryce. 1t will give
you the start you've always wanted IL
will lift you out of the rank and file. It's
you know it. A chance like this isn't wait
ing for you every day. You've worked
hard for it, and it's yours, and nobody
else's. What If it does hurt the girl? It's
only a matter of time till the story comes
out. anyway
TT shan't come through me ,then!" said
Kitty between her teeth, and lifting the
work of her laborious hours she tossed 1t
into the fire. The leaves glowed in the
flame, the picture of the count eurled with
the heat and his face seemed to take on
a sinister, taunting leer. The next minute
the whole was mass of gray ashes. Her
been waited up the chimney! She had had
success, and lost it. She was down and
outI
When Agnes came home she found Kitty
in her room sleeping the deep. sleep of
exhaustion. She shook her gently.
Kitty she whispered Kit, dear
est
Kitty opened her eyes She locked very
wan and tired.
II hated to rouse you, dear" said Agnes,
bending over her, but Bruce Rayburn is
herer
Here cried Kitty. "oh, Agnes, can't
see him!'
why, yes, you can, dear You must!
You're SO heavy with sleep you don't know
what you're saying Here's your tea gown
the fluffy rosebud one-aH ready to slip
into Let your hair alone-it's prettier
that way
Hes heard about the count" thought
Kitty, land wants 10 see what can be done
about hushing 1t up"
But there was no anxiety in Bruce Ray
burns face-only a great delight as his
eyes rested on Kitty, a delight which pass
ed swiftly into CONSERVATION.
What have you been doing to yourselff'
he demanded. You're pale as ghostH'
Am IT. said Kitty, unsteadily. II sup
pose I've been working rather hard, that's
ALL"
Rayburn pushed forward a chair. Wont
you sit DOWN. he begged, and then added
impetuously: I've so much to tell you!
with a chap who has a ranch out west
Ned Reynolds, bully fellow, but rather
short on the money question. And Amys
people are-well, pretty ambitious socially,
and they wouldn't hear Of it. I've been to
see Amy a good deal all fall, because I'm
Ned's best friend and 1 want to see them
both happy. Then Ned was suddenly taken
Ill and Amy was nearly frantic, and so l
went out there to be with him, while Amy
stayed at this end of the line, trotting
about with Mamma Martyr and the Count
Bordeaux-did you speak, Miss Carton?'
No" said Kitty, in queer little voice.
have ended Rayburn went on cheerfully,
'1f it hadn't been for some kindly busy
body who has just told Mrs. Martyr that
the count was married-that and a lot of
other things not destined to make him pop
ular And Mrs Martyr is afraid of the
scandal-there will be lot of talk you
know, as soon as 1t comes out so Amy is
going to marry Ned post haste, and they'll
all live happy ever after.
'Therei Isn't that a romance good
enough even for a newspaper story? And,
speaking of newspapers-have you got your
scoop yet, Miss Carton? The sight of Neds
and Amys happiness has made me wonder
If there's going to be any for me. All the
write and ask you, but 1 made myself wait
until I saw you face to face. And now,
whether you've succeeded or not
For an instant the light Of victory shone
In Ntty's eyes. II did get It! l did get
itr' she cried, breathlessly. And some
day III tell you about 1t, but not now; for
for have found that there are other things
that count just as much-tf not more-than
said Kitty Carton, journalist.