Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-22
CHAPTER TX.

CdAfIEh la.
Ii was with a sigh of relief that Beatrice
found herself at length alone There was
nothing for her to do now but to get her
belongings together and leave the hotel.
There would be inquest on the body Of
Sir Charles at 10 o'clock the following
morning, as the authorities had already in
formed her, but Beatrice had looked upon
this merely a formal affair. She would
pack her things and leave them in Sir
Charles dressing room-the door of which
had not been seaed-and send for every
thing on the morrow. All her costly pres
ents, including the wonderful diamonds
from Stephen Richford. she had entirely
forgotten. a somewhat tired detective was
still watching the jewels in a room off the
hall whore the wedding breakfast was laid
out But the fact had escaped Beatrice's
attention.
Lady Marlborough was having tea alone
In her boudoir when Beatrice arrived. Her
pretty little ladyship was not looking quite
so amiable usual, and there was the sug-
gestion of a frown on her face. She had
been losing great deal at bridge lately,
and that was not the kind of pastime that
Marlborough approved. He was very fond
of his empty. hard, selfish little wife, but
he had put his foot down on gambling. and
Lady Marlborough had been forced to give
her promise to discontinue it. The little
self, and she had small sympathy for Bea-
trce.
What are you doing here?" she asked
pettishly. Where is your husband"
THAT I cannot tell you." Beatrice replied.
you hardly expected that 1 should have
started on my honeymoon under such CIR
cumstances, did you?
MY dear child. don't talk nonsense! OF
course not. The proper thing Is to go to
some very quite hotel and dine respectfully
TO lie low till the funeral is over. OF course.
this is all very annoying. especially as you
have such a lovely lot of new frocks and
all the rest of 1t, but / dare say they will
come in later on. Not that it matters. see
ing that you have a husband who could
stihe you in pretty frocks and never miss
the money. What a funny girl you are.
Bee. You don't seem to appreciate your
good luck at ALL"
You regard me as exceedingly lucky.
them" Beatrice asked quietly.
MY dear girl. lucky Is not the word for
It. OF course, Stephen Richford is not what
/ call an ideal husband, but with his amaz-
ing riches
(which are nothing to me. Adela." Bea-
trice said II have discovered the man to
be degraded and abandoned scoundrel.
From the first l always hated and detested
him: only consented to marry him for the
sake of my father Adela | am going to
tell you the discovery ! made in my father S
bed room this morning"
In a few words Beatrice told her story.
But II she expected any outburst of indgna-
ton from her listener she was doomed to
disappoint The little figure In the big
armchair didn't moye-tbere was a smile of
contempt on her face.
Good gracious what a little thing to
fuss about" she cried. ''It seems to me
that the man was paying you n compliment.
II / had been In your place should have
said nothing till | wanted TO get the whip
hand of my husband. My dear child, you
don't mean to say that you are going TO
take the matter seriouslyr
Beatrice felt the unbidden tears gathering
In her eyes. She had been sorely taxed and