Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-22

locked up in your safe. There are some
diamonds that I am going to give into the
hands of Mr.. Richford at once. 1 am so
sorry to trouble you.
manager. He begged that Mrs. Richford
would let him take everything off her
hands. YEARLY Beatrice crept down to
dinner, with feeling that she would never
want to eat anything again. She watched
that brilliant throng about her sadly; she
sat in the drawing room after dinner, a
thing apart from the rest. A handsome for
eign-looking woman came UP to her and sat
down the same settee.
Il hope you will not think that am in
truding," the lady said. "Such a sad, sad
time for you, dear. Did you ever hear
your father speak of Countess de la Mo-
ray?"
Beatrice remembered the name perfectly
well. She had often heard her father speak
of the countess in terms of praise. The
lady smiled in sad. retrospective way.
'.We were very good friends" she said.
II recollect you in Paris, when you were
quite little thing. 1t was just before your
dear mother died. You used to be terribly
fond of chocolates, 1 remember"
The lady rambed on in pleasing way
that Beatrice found to be soothing. Grad
ually and by slow degrees she began to
draw out the girls confidence. Beatrice was
little surprised to find that she was tell
ing the countess everything.
You are quite right. my DEAR, she said
quietly. The heart first-always the heart
first 1t is the only way to happiness. Your
father was a dear friend of mine, and l am
going to be friend Of yours. 1 have no
children; had daughter who would have
been about your age had she lived"
The countess sighed heavily.
II would never have allowed a fate like
yours to be hers. 1 go back home in few
days to my chateau near Paris. 1t is quiet
and dull. perhaps. but very soothing to the
nerves. 1t would give me great pleasure for
you to accompany me-.
Beatrice thanked the kind speaker almost
tearfully. 1t was the first touch of wom-
anly sympathy she had received since her
troubles had begun, and it went to her
heart.
ut is very. very good of you,' she said.
"A friend is what / sorely need at present
When I think of your goodness to a COM
parative stranger like me-
Then don't think of It," the countess
said almost gayly. Let us get rid of that
horrible man first. You must return those
diamonds, because I read an account of
them in the papers. Perhaps you have
already done so?"
No" Beatrice said. They are in my
dressing room at the present moment
"Oh. the careless girl! But that shows
how little you value that kind of thing.
WE'LL general. and what do you want with
me at this time of the EVENING""
them. He was exquisitely preserved. He
bowed over Beatrfce's hand as he was in
troduced as Gen. Gastang.
Delighted to meet you.'' he said. IT
knew your father slightly. Countess. your
maid is wandering in desolate way about
the corridor. looking for you. with some
story of a dressmaker.
ma fol- / had quite forgotten the
countess exclaimed. do not go from here,
cherie talk to the general till I return.
which will not be long. Those dressmakers
are the plague Of ones life. I will be back
as soon as possible.
The generals manner was easy and his
tongue fluent. Beatrice had only to lean
her head back and smile family from time
to time. The general suddenly paused-so
suddenly that Beatrice looked up and no.
ticed the sudden pallor of his face, his air
of agitation.
You are not well?" the girl asked. 1.-THE
heat of the room has been too much for
YOU"
The general gasped something. with his
head down. he seemed to be avoiding the
gaze of man who had just come into the
drawing room. AS the newcomer turned to
speak to a lady the general shot away
from Beatrice's side. muttering something
about telegram. He had hardly vanished
before Beatrice was conscious of cold
thrill.-ssr-
After all. she knew nothing of these peo-
pie Such scraps of her history as they had