Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-05
XLI.-Continued.

| AA4.-OOuC1uucus
| The morning had been devoted to the
| preparation of Nance's trousseau-a matter
which. in these days. claimed absorbed at
tention-and later the sisters had lunched
| together at one of the restaurants.
| The day, or at least the earlier portion OF
it, had been a complete success; but now,
| as Clodagn's motor car sped along under
the canopy of trees already whitened with
| summer dust. a cloud seemed to have fallen
| upon the sisters gayety. Clodagh lay back
| in her corner, her lips set, looking straight
! in front of her: Nance sat stiffly upright,
! her face flushed, her head held at an ag-
| gressive angle.
| At last, unable to maintain the silence
! longer, she turned and looked at her sister.
| Tit seems to me so stupid she said
Clodagh took up a paraso that lay be-
side her and opened it with little jerk.
| WAS it my fault that he lunched at
| Princes? Was it my fault that he sat at
the table next to ours? You know perfectly
| we'll that l don't care where he lunches
] or whether he ever lunches
| Nance maintained her rigid attitude.
| Il wonder if he is of that opinion? she
| said dryly.
Clodagh flushed suddenly
| 1T Is you who being stupid. Lord
Deerehurst is one of my best friends. It's
| impossible to treat him rudely when We
| chance to meet.
| Nance gave a little angry laugh.
/ w HeH you SHdICe 10 iuStt Sut Ie-
peated with immense scorn. Then she
| turned afresh and looked at her sister
DO you think engaged people ought to
have best friends? l wonder what Pierce
would say if I were to get flowers and
books and things every day
! Clodagh shut her parasol sharply.
| How can you. Nance! Books and flow
| ers and things every day! Four times
| Lord Deerehurst has sent me flowers since
! we came back to town..
| And how many times has he written to
| you? And how many times has he called |:
| And why did he come back to town from
| TuffneH instead of going to France will,
| Mr. Serracauld?'
Clodagh looked away across the park.
He had business in town.
| Business! Was it business that brought
! him to the flat at . o'clock the morning
| after we arrived and that made you ride
| with him? Oh, Clio, l wonder. when you
think of Walter, that yOure-you're not
ashamed She brought the last word
| forth with little gasp.
| For moment Clodaghs face was sui
| fused with red.
II do not need anybody to tell me how
| should care for Walter she said, after q
moments pause.
| At the low. hurt tone, Nance's antagonis.
! tic attitude suddenly deserted her. The ex-
| preston OF her face changed, her figure I'M
| bent.
| 'Clo. Clio. 1 was a wretch! I was a
| wretch Forgive me! It's only that, know.
| ing Walter is coming back tomorrow know.
1
| ing you allowing him to go everywhere
4 that you gO-oh. Clio, 1 can't properly ex-
| plain, but sometimes l felt-afraid Walter
| is $3.50 honorable himself"
| C1odagh put out her hand and laid it fol
a moment upon her sisters.
| when one loves 1 do, Nance" she
| said, lone simply doesn't anybody but
| the person that one cares for. Other peo-
| pie don't count-other people don't exist"
Nance looked down at the hand still rest
/ ing upon her own.
| perhaps not she said, wisely, 'but the
point is that the person one cares for may
| not be quite so blind"
Clodagh withdrew her hand.
| You mean that Walter might imagine
you mean that Walter might be jealous OF
| Lord Deerehurst?"
| q did mean that"
| With a sudden gesture of amusement Clio
| dagh threw up her head and laughed. Then
| almost as suddenly her face became grave
Nance" she said. in a new voice.
Very sharply Nance turned.
"Yes?"
| But Clodaghs mood had veered once
| more
! Nothing, darling" she said. Nothing
| Here we are at home. Aren't you longing
| for nice, cool room and cup of tea?"