Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-28
THE GAMBLER
XXXIV.
KATHERINE CECIL THURsToN,
Author Of "The Masquerader," Etc.
Copyright resrvedJ

XXXIV.
The habit of self-deception had become
as a cloak In which Clodagh wrapped her
self. She desired happiness; therefore she
told herself that she was happy: she In
stinctively wished to live honorably; there
fore, through her own persuasion, she be-
lieved her actions to be honorable, and.
under this insidiously sheltering garment,
her appropriation Of her sisters money was
securely hidden away. To her own think
ing-once the first misgiving had been
buried-there was no real wrong, no real
dishonor, In the taking OF the f!,OVo. Sne
needed 1t temporarily and would, IN Que
time, repay 1t with interest The TACT that
she did not think 1t necessary to INFORM
Nance OF what she had done certainly
weakens the case for her defense; but had
she come to be judged from some imper-
sonal source 1t is quite possible she would
have made as subtle and specious a justin
cation Of her conduct as that which she Of
fered to herself.
In this light the act stood recorded In
her own conscience She needed the money;
she took the money, and. having taken II:
she set about banishing the recollection OF
1t from her mind.
For three days after she had signed the
check she retired into semi-prtyacy. She
continued to ride each morning and drive
each afternoon in the park, she old so
with so cold demeanor that none OF her
friends had dared to accost her. For three
nights she stayed indoors alone. but on
the fourth the insurmountable restlessness
that settles SO frequently upon the nigh
spirited woman devoid Of home ties seized
on her remorselessly. The thought or
further solitude became unendurabie-the
idea of another lonely evening something
not to be borne. At 8 o'clock she rose from
her solitary dinner, tinglfng in every nerve
for some companionship. and, teiephonlng
rfat
Frances Hope was at home and willing to
see her, and a quarter of an hour later
she stepped from her brougham at the
door of the familiar house.
She was informed that Lady Frances was
in her own room preparing to go out, put
would be glad to see her II she would
come upstairs.
She acauiesced quickly, and before the
servant could conduct her down the hall
had brushed past him and begun to run up
the stairs.
Opening the door of her friends bed
room she paused on the threshold and
gave a little exclamation of admiration.
Lady Frances Hope was standing before
a long mirror, while the maid Rees knelt
upon the ground beside her giving the fin
ishing touches to the skirt OF q str1k1ngiy
beautiful dress
Clodagh clasped her hands in a gesture
of delight, then ran forward into the room.
How splendid you look!' she cried.
where are you going? What a heavenly
dress!''
Lady Frances smiled.
"At last!' she exclaimed, holding out
her cheek to be kissed. What have you
been doing with yourself? 1 have been
prosecuted with inquiries for YOU
Clodagh laughed excitedly.
II have been paying bills, she said In
high. light voice.
ones?"
"Quite possibly. But where are you go
ing? All this magnificence makes me GU
rious" She sank into a low chair an6
glanced with bright, interested eyes at her
stately companion.
But Lady Frances ignored the question.
I'VE shall soon be finished with all vain
even if it's dying hard. Do you pine for
the country now that the heat has come?
shall expect you to love Tuffnell. you
know. It really is quaint. Even I am
Clodagh looked up eagerly.
"Of course 1 shall love Tuffnell. 1t has
been sweet of your sister to ask me there
but it has been sweeter still Of her to ask
Nance. You don't know what it will be
for me to meet Nance down there-away
from everything" Her voice fell little.
Lady Frances laughed pleasantly.
II am so glad you have arranged that
| instead of staying In town for a night
she said easily. ''It will be much the
| simpler plan. By the way, what day will
| mean? Diana's big dance is on the 9Th
| Suppose we go down a day or two before?
Clodagh responded instantly.
yes" she said; Eyes. certainly. But
| talking of the dance reminds me of my
| curiosity. Where are you going tonight?'
This time evasion was impossible. Lady
Frances turned to the dressing table and
picked up a diamond ornament.
You can fix this In, Rees." she said. land
! then go. I am going to the Tamperieighs', ,
she added, carelessly, without looking Al
| Clodagh.
| THE Tamperleighs'?"
| I'm Grosvenor Place. Dull people,"
| Clodagh picked up a fan that was lying OF
a table near her and examined 1t thought
| fully.
Isn't Lady Tamperleigh an aunt of si
"Yes. and old Lord Tamperleigh Is
cousin of my mother's-which connects Wal
ter and me in roundabout way"
There was a slight silence. while Rec
lowered about her mistress with one or tw,
last attentions. and then quietly left tn
| room. AS she closed the door Clodagl
| looked up from the fan she had been study
ing so attentively.
Lady Frances" she said. quickly. "yo'
know Lady Tamperleigh very well?"
Lady Frances eyes became vigilant-
| Yes" she said, vaguely. "Oh. yes"
'"Then take me with you to her party
as you took me to the Hensleys' and tn
vibrants' last week. I'm wild to go some
where-to go anywhere tonight Sh
paused excitedly: then, as her eye
scanned Lady Frances face her expressio
fell. "Of course If there's the least-th
very least-diffculty-"
| With a swift. tactful movement Lad
| Frances came towards her.
my dear Clodagh! Don't! You kno'
how proud I am Of you! My hesitation wa
| merely"
Merely what?"
Lady Frances laid her hand upon Gle
daghs shoulder.
''Walter came back from Russia wee
ago. He will be there tonight and think
| think" She seemed to hesitate. 81 thin
that perhaps, in view of his narrow idea
it might be pleasanter for YOU" She lei
| the sentence expressively unfinished.
| CIodagh rose rather hastily, her face red