Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-15
XXI.

XXI.
The decision was no sooner made than 1t
was carried into execution. The order was
given to the gondoliers and instantly the
long, dark gondola swung round. olsen
gaging itself from the tangle Of surrounding
craft. and headed for the Quieter spaces Of
the middle stream.
The Palazzo Ugochini was on the Grand
canal: and as they glided westward, past
the beautiful church Of Santa Maria della
Salute. Barnard leaned forward and d.
rected her attention to their destination.
There is the palace OF the Ugochini." he
said. 1T contains some of the finest fres-
Goes in Italy. It was bought up some years
ago by an enterprising Frenchman. who
lets 1t out in sections. Just now Lady
Frances Hope Is the proud occupier OF the
first floor"
With a movement of interest she followed
his glance. looking silently at the long line
of irregular, imposing buildings that
stretched away before her.
What q beautiful old place" she said.
Are those your friends windows?'
She indicated the first floor of the palace.
from the open windows of which a warm
stream of light poured downward upon the
water.
Eyes. I expect they're playing bridge up
there. Frances is an enthusiast. Blythe
way. do you gamble. Mrs. Milbanke?':
Involuntarily Clodagh started and looked
amiable face. she blushed at her own emo
lions.
"oh. no." she said in a low voice. I'll
never play cards.
Serracauld looked up quickly.
WHAT he exclaimed. You don't play
bridge?'
Il have never played any game of cards
since was child.
surprise.
Mot really. Mrs. Milbanke?"
Serracauld's eyes were wide with aston
ishment.
Really. Quite reallyr'
She smiled as she made the statement.
why, you are ethereal, Mrs. Milbanke,
Barnard said, laughingly, as the gondola
glided up to the palace steps. THE pass
port to humani nowadays Is an inordinate
love of risk
Clodagh laughed nervously.
''Then l must be inhuman," she said.
The gondola stopped, and Lord Deere
hurst rose. AS he offered her his hand he
looked searchingly into her face.
only time can prove the truth of that
statement, Mrs. Milbanke." he said in his
high thin voice.
In the mystery of her surroundings the
words seem to ClOdagh to possess curious
almost prophetic ring and their echo lin
gered in her ears she stepped from the
gondola and entered the palace. But she
was young. and to the young action must
ever outweigh suggestion. She had scarcely
mounted the old marble staircase before the
excitement of her impending ordeal sent all
other ideas spinning into oblivion. There
was adventure and experience in every sue
ceeding moment.
At the head of the stairs they were met
by an English man-servant He stepped
forward gravely, as If accustomed to the
arrival Of late callers. and relieving Clo-
dagh of her cloak, ushered her down long
corridor and through an arched doorway
hidden by velvet curtain.
The salon into which they were shown
lar nd hiph-caila6 The walls dis
played some allegorical studies in the fresco
work of which Barnard had spoken; the
floor was bare Of carpet and highly pol
ished rejecting the deliberately designed
but scanty furniture and the wonderful
glass chandeliers that hung from lie cell
ing. and in the three long windows that
opened on the canal stood groups of stat
uary.
During the moment that followed their
entrance Clodagh almost believed that the
room was unoccupied, SO wide and formal
did it look; but second glance convinced
her of her mistake. At its farther end four
persons were playing cards at small table,
partly sheltered from the rest of the room
by a massive leather screen.
When their names were announced no one
at the table moved or even looked round;
but Immediately afterwards there was a
stir among the players. and the light sound
of cards thrown hastily down, followed by
a quick laugh in a womans voice.
"Game-and rubber! Well done. partner!
How does the score stand, Tory?
The owner of the laugh rose from her
seat and almost instantly turned to the
door, revealing to Ciodagh's curious eyes
strong energetic face, redeemed from ug-
illness by a pair of intensely intelligent eyes
and a mouth that displayed strong white
teeth. 1t was the somewhat disconcerting
face of clever woman to whom life repre-
sents an undeniable-if an invigorating-
struggle. Seeing the little group by the
doorway, she hurried forward with an al
most masculine assurance.
"You poor, dear peeple!'' she exclaimed,
in her strong voice. "a thousand apollo
off short as her eyes rested on Cloaagh
who is this, Barny?" she asked, inter-
estedly
Barnard stepped forward. laying his hand