Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-28

countries of the world. Such knowledge
uplifted her and revealed truths " hich had
been hidden during her childhood BY
Gavin's love would her soul be reborn
by faith in him would the victory over her
heritage be won. This had become her
credo. sustaining her in the conflict, and
seisding her to London with brave heart
/. and an unconquerable determination to win
independence and freedom. More than this,
she believed that the great city would
give her friends; and that these friends
would tell her how to fnd Gavin, ana, IL
need be- to save him. No longer could she
hide 1t from herself that something beyond
the quest for Georges Odin kept her English
friend in Roumania. She had received but
two letters from him. and these had been
written during the early days OF the jour
ney The rest was silence and a dreadful
doubt creeping upon her as a shadow; the
doubt which said, "he may have given his
life for you; he may never return.
We have said that Evelyn took up ner
residence at the Savoy Hotel, fearing no
longer the disclosure of her Identity
Thither upon the second morning came Mt
tie Dulcie Holmes and the melancholy Lucy
Grey entering her splendid room with tirnid
steps and altogether abashed by the
changed circumstances under which they
found their friend Their introduction OF
themselves was characteristics. Dulcle, un-
able to restrain her impulse, threw herself
into Evelyn's arms and waited to apologize
until she had kissed her. Lucy Grey stood
bolt upright and rebuked her friend with
almost fearful melancholy.
"Oh, how can you, Dulcie-and It's all IN
the papers, too.
II don't care a bit" rejoined the un-
abashed Dulcie 81 must kiss her II she'll
kill me for it, And then to Evelyn she
said: "Oh, you darling Lady Eta. oh, l
am glad; | can't believe It's really true
But I've always said you'd come and I've
told Mr.. lizard so-and there's the gold
watch you sent me, round my neck where
it's always been since the day 1t came
and, oh. Eta. what times we will have
again-what times!''
Lucy Grey appeared altogether dunn
founded by the familiarity.
''You forget yourself. Dulcie,' she pro-
tested again and again. after 1t being IN
the papers. too-you certainly forget your
self. How can you say such things-to her
ladyship we all know after what's In the
papers I'm sure, miss, your ladyship
won't think any the worse of Dulcie for
this. It's her bringing up. that's what 1t
is"
Evelyn was very much amused; but she
FASTENED to reassure them, and, insisting
upon their relating all their personal trou-
bles (Which they did with many exclama-
lions and minute particularly, she ventured
to ask them what the papers really had
said and why it should make difference
to them. To this they answered In a
breath that the Carlton would reopen in
fortnight with "Haddon Hail. and MISS
Eta Romney in the title role
and it says you're duchess, and Mr..
knew it all the time" Dulcie added with con
siderable enthusiasm, "Oh Eta, how you
kept il from us all, just as though you had
been different to anybody else. But l
knew you We're; l said you were no ordt-
nary human being, and Lucy knew It, My
life's never been the same since you went
away, Eta. You won't leave US again, will
your
They rambled on alternately In confusion
and delight while Evelyn sent for the
morning papers and read the news they
spoke Of There. sure enough, was the
story written for all to read.
Many will hear with pleasure" said the
Daily Shuffier,'' that one of the most
capable and finished of our younger
actresses issabout 70 return to the stage.
Some months ago all dramatic London was
Romney mystery. A new play presented
to us an artistic of no common order.
Scarcely had we settled down to admire
her when she disappeared from our ken,
and. while we do not doubt that certain or
her friends were in the secret, this was
well kept and remained undiscovered by
the public. Now we know that Eta Rom
ney Is the nom de theatre of Lord Mel
bournes daughter, the Lady Evelyn. Mr..
Charles lizard informs us that he is about
to present her In the role already familiar
to US and sure of wide welcome. Eta
Romney, assuredly, will establish the sue
cess of the Carlton Theater as no other
actress of our time could do. We offer our
cordial greetings upon her return to the
stage, and congratulate all concerned upon
the clever advertisement achieved"
Evelyn cringed when she read the last
words but her sense of humor proved
greater than her annoyance.
Did you believe, does any one really be-
lleve that l went away to advertise my
self?" she asked the girls.
They answered In a breath that all the
world believed II.
why, what else should 1t have been for?
They say you and Mr.. lizard did 1t, just as
had Billie Dan photographed in a motor-car
accident. People love anything like that
they think it's so clever. There'll be such a
scene when we open. Eta, as never was
known. Shall l call you Eta, though, or
should Ii be your ladyShip?"
Eta was about to answer her as well as
her amusement would let her when man
servant opened the door and announced
visitor
MIR. Charles lizard" he said. and the girls
stood I'D abashed.
Mr.. lizard here, however shall look him
In the facet cried Lucy in an extremity of
terror.
II could drop through the ceiling for my
nerves." said Dulcie. but she did nothing of
the sort; merely standing and giggling nerv-
ously while the great man came painting in;
and he, who had presented" so many, now
presented himself with the air of a rajah
just dismounted from an elephant, or a
monarch about to address an assembly of
barons.
My dear" he said to Evelyn, I've come
10 pay my respects to you, and that's what
do to few of 'em. You've got London by
the throat and Wen both be rich before you
let GO Didn't / say you come back to me?
Why. when | think how we've fooled the
populaee. could shout bully until my
tongues tied. Now. let these girls go their
way and We'll talk business. I've come to
offer you a five years engagement certain,
and there's no one in London is going TO
better my terms. Three words and we settle
1t. Let em be spoken and we're friends for
life"
Mr.. lizard" said Eta quickly, "I will
play a your theater for three months. Then
am going away II return, I will come to
you again. But l may never return, and so
cannot engage myself 10 do so. Should my
present determination be altered
lizard laughed hardly and almost impa
tiently.
AT coming or going. my dear, you have
no equal in Europe" he admitted gloomily
and then quickly, fearing to offend
her he added, We'll, have your own way
Take fortune or leave one, Charles lizard
will always be your friend
1t was a great admission, honestly meant
though uttered with the regret OF one who
saw a golden vision falling from his view
To himself the great man said: There is a
man and he is not in England. The Lord
send him a handsome funeral before the
mischief is DONE
CHAPTER xxx.