Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-26

Again she chose a hanson as means of
conveyance, for as yet there had been no
question Of her procuring carriage of her
own; and again she became conscious of
the peculiar stimulus, the peculiar power
that the great tide of London life exercises
upon It's observers. The last glimmering of
daylight was lingering in the sky as the
cab passed up Knightsbridge, but already
the houses and hotels were brilliantly
lighted and the streams of diners and thea
ter-goers was forming into its nightly pro-
cesSion.
During that short drive she encountered
many glances-glances of interest, criticism
or curiosity from women well-dressed as
herself and bound upon some such mission
as her own-glances of sharp speculation or
sudden admiration from men driving west
or southwark. And something of London's
immensely, something of London's secrecy,
came to her in those brief moments; she
was stirred by the fact that has moved
many another dweler in the vast city-the
fact that every day, every night, some
thousands of lives brush our own in pass
ing glance, in stray word, in chance
touch. and then drift on into mystery never
to reappear.
Her thoughts were confused and excited
as she descended from the cab and entered
the Curzon street house: but on ths mo-
ment that she stepped into the hall her
dreams were banished. A door on her
right opened, and her hostess hurried for
ward and kissed her effusively
You dear thing!' she cried. Wasn't 1t
abominable of me? Was the arrival des-
perately dreary? Come up to my bed
room. The men haven't come yet. What
ages it seems since we said goodbye at
Nice! How are you?" She talked on in her
masterful voice, without waiting for Il re-
ply. until they entered the bed room There
her maid, who was busying hersal at the
dressing table, came forward to assist Clo-
dagh. but she checked her at once.
Mrs. Millbanke won't need you, Rees, I'll
take off her cloak
Rees moved obediently toward the door,
but there she ventured to pause for mo-
ment.
IT hope you had a comfortable Journey,
madam" she said.
Clodagh. invariably gracious to her 1nfe
riors. turned to h1r warmly.
Thank you, Rees! An excellent journey!
But I'm glad to have arrived-and I'm glad
to see everybody looking so we'll" She
added the last with little smile. to which
the maid responded as she closed the door.
5 Lady Frances laughed.
You have bewitched Rees," she said.
But you do that as you eat or sleep-by
instinct Let me look at you!' She laid
her hands on Clodagh's shoulders and
turned her toward the light i,
You've been playing every night since
/ left you," she said, with decision. :
Clodagh laughed with some constraint
And losing?'
Clodagh flushed.
II have no luck" she said, shortly. Then,
almost at once. she turned away, freeing
herself from her companions OBTAINING
hands. -----., - 49,
Lady Frances" she said, in different
tone please don't think 1 forgot about.
about She hesitated. Il get my first
allowance at the beginning Of June. you
know"
3 She paused, and Lady Frances gave a
seemingly careless laugh. MY good child,
don't speak of it! Any time! Any timer'
'You are very kind. had hoped to settle
up on my return. but the last week was
CHI Pynf UT in0 will ha fphf nj
the beginning Of June. She walked over to
the dressing table and looked at herself in
the long glass.
What a sweet house you haver' she
said, suddenly, in an entirely different voice.
Lady Francis had been watching her with
close scrutiny; but now, with good deal
of ready discrimination, she threw off her
attentive manner and answered in her own
light tone.
yes; it is q nice little. place. But what
about the fiat? Isn't that perfectr'
Yes"
You are not enthusiastic? Oh am dis
appointed
Clodagh turned from the mirror.
Forgive me!' she said, impulsively. "Of
course the fiat is perfectly sweet-and ex-
actly what want and an astonishing bar
gain for seven hundred year. 1t was just
the arriving alone that made it seem lit
tea little
"of course! OF course! Poor. dear child!
But wait! Wait till you begin to know peo-
ple!'
Clodagh's expressive face frightened
Yes And when Nance-when my sister
comes back. Oh! l must enjoy myself! I
must be happy
"Why should you be anything else? When
have you heard from your sister,"
1.-THE day left Nice-a most dear letter.
She is having heavenly time in America.
The Estcoits are such delightful compan-
ions; the girl is seven months younger than
she is, and the boy is seven years older.
Curious difference, isn't it?'
D,,f Ava
boy. 1 thought it was only the school
friend and the mother
"Oh. no. There's the brother-Pierce
Nance's letters are full of him.
laugh.
Then Nance is presumably still learning
though she has left SCHOOL,"
Something in the utterance of the words
made Clodagh flush.
'Don't!'' she said, involuntarily. Don't!
Nance isis different from me-"
Then as her hostess remained silent, she
turned and looked at her.
Don't be offended she added. 1T is
only that can't have anything cynical said
Of Nance. 1 know you don't understand.
1t seems that because l sent her to Amer;
again. But don't make you understand
don't seem to make any one understand"
Her voice dropped slightly. and Lady
Frances, as though fearing some emotional
outburst, broke in. hastily:
my dear child My dear Clodagh"
Then she paused, for the door opened and
her maid. Rees, reappeared.
Excuse me, my lady, but Lord Deere
hurst and Mr.. Serracauld are in the draw
ing room. Franks thought your ladyship
would wish to know"
quite right. Thank you, Rees. Clodagh,
are you ready?"
Clodaghs face was slightly flushed from
her momentary outbreak as she left the
bed room, her mind slightly distressed.
Descending the stairs. Lady Frances moved
to her side and passed her hand through
her arm; and at the touch sharp repul-
sion to this friendship-this fair-weather,
ELUSIVE, superficial friendship = surged
through her. And yet where was she to
find frmer sentiment? Where, In all the
world, was there being who had any real
need of her? Her aunt? Her cousin? She
knew instanctively that their world and
her own were inevitably sundered.
Nance? Had not even Nance-the little
Nance Of childish days-already begun to
gather interests Of her own-to form her
own friendships? No; there was no niche
that especially claimed. that especially |
needed her.
At this point in her hasty and confused
speculations the door Of the drawing room
was thrown open, and after an interval Of
two years she saw Lord Deerehurst and |
Serracauld.
More than once she had pictured the
meeting with the old peer; but, as is in
variably the case, the reality was much
xyix, hop limo otv