Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-30

XXXvI.
At lunch time Clodagh sent word to Lady
Diana Tuffnell that the long ride In the
morning sun had given her headache, ana
that she would be glad of few hours
rest.
On receipt of the message her hostess was
much concerned. and came herself to Go
dagh's bed room door to inquire whether
she could be of any use to the sufferer; but
there she was met by Smonetta, who con-
yeyed the intelligence that her mistress was
asleep.
But in reality Clodagh was not sleeping
was not even lying down; she was situns
In a low chair in the shadow or the Drawn
chintz curtains, striving to solve the ques-
ton of her future conduct. Would she re.
main at Tuffnell and face the difficulties OF
her position? Would she turn co"aro-aho
run away?
She passed in review the incidents OF the
morning until by persistent contemplation
of them, her humiliation kindied to anger.
First. anger against herself; then. anger
| against the world at large; lastly, anger
BY the time afternoon tea was brought to
| her the headache she had feigned had be-
come a reality and before dinner-tlme ar
| rived she had fallen into state OF miser-
| able dependency. But scarcely mad this
| black mood taken possession OF ner than d
| new and more intolerable distress assalieo
|
! which her abrupt retirement might give
! rise What would the house party thlnk
| of her disappearance? Would not Lacy
| Frances Hope-if no one else-presume ina.
| she was suffering from wounded VANITY
The thought was uncomfortable. NO sooner
| did it present itself than she sprang from
| her chair in a fever of Apprehension anu
rang hastily for Simonetta.
| Ten minutes before the dinner hour sne
| emerged from her room and passed down
| stairs Faint daylight was still filling the
| house; but everywhere the lamps had Deen
| lighted and the mellow double 1ilumlnauOn
| gave a curious softening effect to the old
/ raftered ceilings and paneled Wa!is.
| In the hall she was met by Lady FRANCES
| Hope who paused and looked at ner scruli-
niZingly. go a..
What is the matter with you?" she
asked. with unusual brusqueness. You al
most look as If you had FEVER -FOUR eyes
are glittering.
Clodagh laughed nervously dho put VA"
hand to her cheek.
Nothing is the matter
Lady Frances lip curled slightly.
You should go to bed early.
yes. Early in the morning! 1 feel ]
could sit up all night.
| playing bridge? ,,..,
| recklessly.
why not?" she asked won't you play
Not mere. George is rather stickler-
where his relations are concerned
ClodaTf's question was quick and a lit
:oh. his guests can amuse themselves as
| thew like of course"
Chen I shall play tonight-if I can fine
| any one to play with"
LADY Frances looked over her shoulder
| attracted by the sound Of voices .
"Well here comes Rose!' she said. PRES!
her into your service! She won't refuse l
| YOU give her Mr.. Mansfield as partner
The set she has made on that man I'M
whole afternoon Is perfectly dlssraceiui:
She turned with a smile to Mrs Bathurst
All Rose! How nice to see YOU Ah'
YOU are just in time. We have been taking
your name In vain.
CIodagh became the center of nos.
party until dinner was announced AM
during the meal itself the same air OF in
consequent gayety was maintained IN ne
tregard. for abe sat between Serracauio AM
| his. uncle.
a dozen TOPICS were touched upon durin
the course of the meal-the latest sportin
| possip the latest social scandal. the latess
Partisan play al were aiseussed tbe anu wor1
that has few prejudices, few responsipii'
e ties. fewer Ideals. A..
From time to time. during the easy no.
% of This light talk she found herself steailn
surreptitious glances down the long taDi
to where Gore was seated between Lad
4 Diana Tuffnell and her sister. but not one
did she surprise glance from MIN
e seemed that he had very successfully oai
ished her from his mind a.
- After dinner the whole party lett IN
dining room together, as was the custom
Tuffnell. some to play biiharos' soIhe
stroll In the gardens, others to ma the
p way to the music room, where Lady Dlah
usually gathered a little audience 70 nste
to her singing. On this evening Clodas
n was among the first to pass out OF u
dining room. and moving into the cent?
{. of the hall, she paused and looked expec
:. antly over her shoulder. ,. .,
II AS she had anticipated, Deerehurst ~
.f
T.. what is your pleasure?" he sal
"Bridge?"
She looked up swiftly.
ives bridge" she said quickly. Il 1e
III T must have excitement tonight
He looked at her immovably.
" "As you WISH" he said. calmly shs
al, Rose Bathurst and Mansfield to play
He turned away and at the same nome
,e LADY Diana came forward from q lit
group that included her husband and Coz
DO Coming close to Clodagh, she iaio her ha'
r. "Weu. Mrs. Milbanke," she said. plea
antly. ''how shall we amuse you this eve
ing?" 1900. .,
&c. so tense and strained that even her hoste'
or | quiet voice set them tingllng.
oh l have chosen my amusement
said 81 want game OF bridge ana 10
| Deerehurst has gone to make up FOUR.
ig- Lady Diana's expression changed, .
., | traying leaven of disappointment.
y" "Bridge?' she repeated. DO you thil
{ YOU are quite wise? Remember your hea
- ache!
Clodagh gave a short. excited laugh
"Ah YOU are not a bridge player. La
Diana! II you were. you would know IN
bridge Is a cure for all the ills of human1
Here comes Lord Deerehurst with two
completes! Fancy. it Is the first time ha
met the rich Mr.. Mansfeldt!'
LADY Diana was silent. She looked on
more at Clodagh-a rapid penetrating 10
that might have belonged to her slst'
Then she compelled herself to smile
II hope your game will be a good one
she said graciously. and, moving Qule'
away she rejoined her husband
Almost at the same moment Deerehul
approached, followed at some little d
lance by Mrs Bathurst and Mansfeldt-
South African millionaire who had
Gently found his way into society.
Rose Is making the running. ne
marked in a maliciously amused whisp
'She asked me before dinner exactly WI
Mansfield is worth. All, here you
Mansfeldtr' he added aloud. Allow !
to present you to Mrs. Mllbanke M
Milbanke will you show US the way to
card room? hear you are the spoiled en-
of the house"
CIodagh bowed to Mansfeldt and,
sponding at once to Deerehursts sugg
tion led the way across the hail.
The card room at Tufnell was the OIL