Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-21

1nolseHe was IN her room few minutes ago.
She turned and left me, and almost imme-
diately the butler entered the hall. He was one
of the local cricket eleven, and had been in
service in the neighborhood all his life; so he
knew me well, and greeted me at once with
respectful interest.
Is Her Ladyship in, Murray" asked.
believe So sir. he answered. will you
come into the drawing room
| followed him into Lady Dennisfords pres
ence. She was writing letters in a small
sanctum leading out of the drawing room, and
she looked round and nodded CHEEKY greeting
to me.
In one moment, Hardross, she said. I've
just finished"
Now, had known Lady Dennisford all my
life; but found myself studying her now with
altogether a new interest. She was slim,
elegant woman, pale, and perhaps a little
lnslpld looking at ordinary times, but famous
and reckless rider to hounds, and an enthu-
slaStlc Sportswoman. She was one of the few
women concerning whom l had never heard a
single breath OF scandal, Notwithstanding her
husbands long and frequent absences. She
gave me little time, however, to revise my
impressions of her; for with a little spluttering
of her pen, she finished her letter and came
toward me.
81 hope you have come to lunch" she re-
marked. have the most delightful young
person staying with me. You will be charmed
with her
"a young lady?" remarked.
Yes. An American girl who talks English
English and doesn't enthuse Seems to
know something about horses, too
Where did you discover this paragon?" l
asked
My cousin sent her down. She knows
everybody" Lady Dennisford answered Il
met her at lunch last week, and she spoke of
hunting with the Pytchley next season. She is
going to have a look at the country. Sorry the
rain spoiled your match
hesitated for moment. Lady Dennis
ford, | said, Il had a particular reason for
coming to see you this morning"
She raised her eyebrows. My dear Jimi'
Il, too, have visitor" l told her, rather
more mysterious person than yours seems to
be. He is very i'll, indeed, and he is almost
stranger to me; but he was once, l believe, a
friend of yours
"A friend of mine?" she repeated. How
interesting. Do tell me his name!
cannot do that" l answered, because
do not know lt-not his real name. But in the
park this morning | happened to tell him who
lived here, and, although he is very weak, he
insisted upon making you an immediate visit
is he?" she asked
:" He is outside on the terrace" l answered.
MY dear JIM she exclaimed. Really all
this mystery isn't like you. Aren't you over
doing it little? Do call your friend in and
let me see who he is
Lady Dennisford," l said, 'of course my
guest may have mlsled me, but he seemed to
think that an abrupt meeting might be unde-
sirable. He wished to tell you that he
once walked with you under the orange trees
of Seville, and to ask you to go out to him
alone"
Lady Dennisford sat still for several seconds.
Her eyes were fixed upon me; but | am GER
tain that had passed from within the orbit of
her vision. The things which she saw were of
another world-somehow it seemed sacrilege
on my part to dream of peering even into the
dmmest corner of it. So | looked away, and
l could never tell altogether what effect my
words had had upon her; for when l looked
up she was gone.
To be continued next Sunday