Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-28

certify to which she had been long q
stranger. Unconsciously she warmed and
softened under the homelike atmosphere.
And when. a quarter of an hour later, 81
monetta came softly into the bright. chintz-
hung bed room she found her mistress
busily unpacking her writing case and sort
ing her letters at an old-fashioned oak
writing table.
That night the two visitors. who had pre-
coded the other members Of the house party
by day, dined alone with their host and
hostess.
They were very small party for the great
dining hall: but Clodagh was conscious that
at many a crowded restaurant she would
have been less well amused. There was
feeling of sincerity in the atmosphere. an
honest desire on the part Of the entertainers
to put their guest at her ease. that pre-
cluded dullness and artifciality
After dinner Lady Frances wandered on
law, and Clodagh followed her hostess into
the drawing room-a long, tapestried room
full Of the scent of roses.
The lamps were lighting when they en-
tered: but the windows were set wide open.
admitting the fragrance of the garden.
Involuntarily Clodagh crossed the room
and paused beside one of these broad win
dows.
A moment later her hostess followed her.
well, Mrs. Milbanke," she said. What
do you think of England? Isn't 1t place
to be happy int" She spoke with something
of the strength and domination of her Sis
ter; but 1t was a softened strength, as her
face although possessing the same bold
outline as Lady Frances, was softer, gen.
tier. more sympathetic
Clodagh turned and looked at her.
Il think it Is a place to be content In"
she said after moments pause.
Lady Diana Tufnells glance rested upon
her interestedly. And as the thought OF
her youth and her mourning rose to her
mind something like pity touched her face.
You are very right" she said. I'VE
women make a great mistake In disso-
IoSr kfv,rr 1.v fnV,kr amt har
| Is too much struggle in many of our lives
and too little peace Frances, for instance!
Her life is one restless race after something
that is unattainable!
"But Lady Frances is happy! She likes
struggling!
Lady Diana. smiled
"She thinks she does. But the truly con-
tented woman does not need to persuade
herself that she is satisfied Happiness is
| fact not an attainment" With quiet,
kindly movement she turned aside and
picked up two photographs that stood upon
| a side table.
Mrs. Milbanke. this is the happiness that
comes-and stays-the happiness that needs
no expounding." She held out the photo
graphs.
Clodagh took them and looked at them.
One was the picture of her host; the other
| the photograph of three plain-looking, hon
| est-eyed boys, who each possessed in an al
most ridiculous degree their mothers out
| line of feature. She looked at them intently
| for long time; then she handed them
| back.
THANK you," she said. almost inaudi-
| bly,. Then moved by sudden thought, she
| looked up into Lady Diana's face.
Lady DIANA" she said, Il want you 10
like my little sister! VIII you like herr I
| don't want her to be one Of the struggling
women" Then she paused suddenly. as
the drawing room door opened and Lady
Frances Hope entered, followed by her
| brother-in-law.
At the sound Of the opening door Lady
| Diana gave her a quick smile of sympathy
and understanding. and turned to greet the
| newcomers.
ingly. as she caught sight of her sisters
| face. Has George been beating your"
Lady Frances came forward frowning.
"How ridiculous you are. Di! Your mind
| that her annoyance had carried her away,
| she gave a short laugh, and suddenly re-
covered her composure.
| 81 am angry because our game was
| spoiled. l was making really excellent
| break. when we were interrupted by a
stupid telegram from Walter Gore"
Almost abruptly Clodagh turned back to
4 the open window, conscious that her face
and ears were suddenly burning and that
her heart had given a great, unsteady
throb.
Lady Diana looked quickly from her sis
| ter to her husband.
From walter?" she said, In surprise.
Eyes. from Walter" George Tuffnell
came forward with an open telegram in his
Back from Russia. Town insufferably
hot. Gore bridges in tradesmens hands
| No plans for immediate week. Can You put
WALTER GORE
Luck. isn't 1t? Why. we haven't seem
| him for a year. Dear old Walter!" Tuff-
| nelPs good-natured face beamed with hos
| pitable enthusiasm.
What do you say. DIP he added. cot
| course we can manage it?'
"Of course! Why, it will make our party
complete" Lady Diana glanced at her Sis
ter; but to her surprise there was no re-
Spouse in Lady Frances expression.
With movement of sudden decision she
had stepped forward.
'Di, wait a momentI" she said "You
know Walter and Val Serracauld never hi
1t on-and Walter and Deerehurst detes,
each other. Do you think it would be
| wiser"
Lady Diana looked perplexed ut is a lit.
| tie difficult, she said. But we cannot re-
fuse Walter" She looked at her husband.
George Tunnel responded with a laugh.
Refuse Walter! Why, I'd as soon refuse
to have the boys home for the holidays
The house Is big enough for everybody
What do you say. Mrs. Milbanke?"
Clodagh turned from the open window
| From being red her face was now yer,
pale.
, Il" she stammered. "I-"
Again Tuffnell laughed good naturally
Certainly Don't you think, Di, that Mrs
Milbanke could give US an expert opinion
? on the management Of mann"
Clodagh laughed unsteadily. Then, all q
' once her mental balance was shaken by
) | wave of feeling. The thought of Gore-th
remembrance of Gore-rose like tangibl
/ things. blotting out all else She lifted he
| eyes to her hosts.
Il agree with YOU" she swiftly said ''
( should say that-that the house is BIZ
: enough"
( (To be continued tomorrow)
, e