Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15

more is an old friend Of mine I knew his
rather intimately. It was only at Easter
pie are so good as to regard me as worthy
OF confidence. Beatrice, Is 1t too later
Berrington asked the question in a fierce,
sudden whisper. His lean fingers clasped
ing back in his chair talking gayly. Mo-
body seemed to heed the drama that was
going on in their midst. Beatrice's eyes
filled with tears.
that have so good and true a friend she
said with her eyes cast down on her plate.
mo, do not want any wine. Why does
that waiter keep pushing that wine list Of
his under my nose?"
Then you are quite sure that it Is too
LATER Bennington asked again.
MY dear friend, 1t is inevitable" Bea-
Look at my father"
Bennington glanced in the direction Of Sir
Charles. who was bending tenderly over the
very pretty woman on his right hand APP
parently the baronet had not a single care
In the world; his slim hand toyed with a
glass of vintage claret. Bennington gave
him a quick glance Of contempt
.! do not see what Sir Charles has to do
with It," he said.
my father has everything to do with
it, Beatrice said. docs he not look happy
and prosperous! And yet you can never
very different. And the mere thought that
any action Of mine would bring disgrace
upon him"
Beatrice paused as she felt Berrington's
eyes upon her. The expression Of his face
showed that she had said enough, and more
than enough.
II quite understand Bennington said
quietly. You are hostage to fortune
Honor thy father that his days may be
long in the land where good. dinners abound
and tradesmen are confiding. But the
shame. the burning shame of it! Here's
that COMPOUNDED waiter again."
Beatrice felt inclined to laugh Historically
at Berrington's sudden change of tone. The
dark-eyed Swiss waiter was bending over
the girls chair again with a supplicating
suggestion that she should tray little wine
of some sort. He had a clean. list in his
hand, and even Berrington's severest mill
tary frown did not suffice to scare him
away.
''Ver' excellent wine" he murmured "a
little claret, liqueur. No "a is what-will
madame kindly look? Madame will look
for one little moment?"
With an insistence worthy Of better
cause. the Swiss placed the card in Bea-
trice's hand. ---.-s.
1t was a clean card. printed in red and
gold, and opposite No. "A was a pencilei
the writing. The words were few but sig
nificant. I'm the little conservatory be-
yond the drawing room. Soon possible"
Il shall have to complain about that fell
AO"' SoiN. AhlSS DCdliiSSs are
You not well?" rs.
II am quite well. quite strong and WELL"
Beatrice whispered. 81 implore you not to
attract any attention to me. And the
waiter was not to blame He had a mes
sage to deliver to me. You can see how
cleverly he has done it. Look here"
Beatrice displayed the card with the pen
ciled words upon it. Berrington's quick in
tellisence took everything in at a glance.
Of course that Is intended for you," he
said. "A neat handwriting. And yet in
some way 1t seems quite familiar to me.
Could possibly have seen it anywhere be-
fore?"
II should say that it is extremely likely"
the girl said. 1T is Mark Ventmore's own
handwriting" 49, --
Bennington smiled. He had all a soldiers
love Of adventure, and he began to see a
very pretty one here.
IT wrote to him a little over a week ago."
Beatrice said rapidly. If he had got my
letter then and come goodness knows what
would have happened. I was not quite
aware at that hour how close was the
shadow of disgrace. I expect Mark has
only just arrived and feels that if he does
not see me tonight it will be too late. COL
mus"
merely to say that she was suffering with a
dreadful headache, that the atmosphere of
the room was insupportable and that she
was going to try the purer air of the con-
III.
mo, you need not come" Beatrice said
as Richford lounged heavily to his feet. 81
do not feel the least in the mood to talk
to anybody, not even you"
q The listeners sullen features flushed and
he clenched his hands. Beatrice had never
taken the slightest trouble to disguise her
dislike for the man she had promised to
marry. In his heart of hearts he had
made up his mind that she should suffer
presently for all the indignities that she
had heaped upon his head.
"'All right" he said. 'Tll come into the
drawing room and wait for you Keep
you from being interrupted. in fact. +
know what women's headaches mean"
There was no mistaking the cowardly in
situation, but Bennington said nothing
Richford could not possibly have seen the
signal, and yet he implied an designation If
his words meant anything at all. 1t was a
cruel disappointment, but the girls face
said nothing of her emotions. She passed
quietly along till she came to the little
conservatory, where presently she was fol-
lowed by the Swiss waiter. who had given
her the card with Mark Ncntmore's mes
sage upon 1t. 80 --
Madame is not WE'LL" he said Madame
has the dreadful headache. Can I get any
thing for madame? A glass of water, an
ice cup Of coffee, Or" .
Beatrice was on the point of declining
everything when she caught the eye of the
speaker. Apparently there was some hid
den meaning behind his words for she
changed her mind
No CoHee, sue Sdiu III voice tnat was
meant for the lOunger in the drawing room,
"but shall be very glad if you will let me
have a cup of tea, strong tea, without milk
or sugar.
The waiter bowed and retired. Beatrice
sat there with her head back as If utterly
worn out, though her heart was beating
thick and fast She looked up again pres
emily as waiter entered leaving the neces-
sary things on tray. 1t was not the same
waiter, but taller, fairer man who bowed
as he held out the silver salver.
THE tea, madame" he said. MAY be
allowed to pour 1t out for you? Steady!'
The last word was no more than a whis-
per. Beatrice checked the cry that came to
her lips.
Mark she murmured. Mark, dear
Mark, is it really you?"
The tall waiter smiled as he laid hand
on the girls trembling fingers.
Indeed 1t is darling he said. For
Gods sake don't say 1 have come too
late"