The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-09-01
CHAPTER XIII.

ter must almost have heard the laugh,
while there was still a smile on his face
as he bowed before her.
II have never" he said, as he seated
himself, been at an entertainment of
this description before. I am only a be-
ginner. In our country we manage things
differently; and l cannot yet understand
low much talking and 50 little action can
benefit any cause"
But" said Miss Winter, you are not
new to England. There is nothing about
you to lead one to that conclusion"
Thank you," he replied, gravely. my
claw-hammer coat was made in Piccadil-
ly, so l suppose it Is all right"
He looked down at the garment in
question, and busted the sleeves lightly
will, a perfectly gloved hand.
"Do you like TT" he inquired simply.
Miss Winter was becoming interested
She therefore quelled a sudden desire to
laugh, and answered:
Yes; 1t IL a very nice coat"
II am not" he said, after pause, new
to England but l have not moved much
In London society. l suppose the men
do all the moving In your society ?-they
seem to. The women sit mostly still and
wait till the men come to them. With US
| It Is different"
1.-THE women" replied this womanly
lady, ARE beginning to move with US, and
from what l have seen of the result,
rather incline toward the old policy of
sitting still"
He turned and looked at her with n
little nod. There was In his queer. rest
less eyes a distinct glance Of approval.
YES" he said, yes. So 1 should sur
mise. Our ladies are very fascinating
and very clever, and all that, but-but
the young men do not seem to make such
a pretty show of loving them as we read
Of In oden times. At all events, they do
not continue to show them that regard
which, l remember, my father showed
toward my mother"
II myself am an humble admirer of
the womanly school,"
"And l." added Easton. Now" he
continued, after pause, do tell me,
what do all these good people think they
are doing here tonight"
They think firstly" replied Miss Win
ter, that they are getting their names
into the fashionable society papers. Sec
ondly, that their natural or artificial
adornment is creating a distinct impress
sion. Thirdly, and lastly, that they are
assisting in some indefinite way toward
the solution of a problem of which the
rudiments are entirely unknown"
"Then in England as we'll as In my
own country, charity is a recognized play
thing of society,"" suggested Easton.
ayes. We take 1t up in late autumn
and winter, when there are no races, no
regattas, nor lawn tennis parties"
"Ah them" said the American, $50
ciety is very much the same here as else
where"
| At this moment Oswin Grace passed
within earshot of them. He heard the
remark, and recognized the voice. When
be turned, his surprise at seeing Miss
Winter and Easton together was so mark
ed as to cause a little frown to pass
across the queer, wistful face of the
American. He returned the young Eng
lishman's comprehensive bow, however,
with perfect eQuanimity.
"You know Oswin Grace?" inquired
Miss Winter.
"Oh, yes" was the cool reply; 'Tyars
brought him to my rooms one evening"
Miss Winter skillfully concealed eager
ness.
"They are great friends" she said,
lightly
"Ye-es. Yes, Tyars constantly talks
Of him."
II suppose" continued Miss Winter, In
the same indifferently conversational way,
shat they have many interests In COM
mon; both being sailors. At least, be-
lieve Claud Tyars considers himself
sailor now"
This was clever, and the wary little
man paused. He felt convinced that Miss
Winter knew less of the past life of Tyars
than she would have him believe. More
over, he suspected that she had never
hitherto called him Claud Tyars. The
implied familiarity was trap, womanly,
clever and subtle; but Easton avoided It
with equal skill. He maintained an easy
silence. Immediately afterward, how
ever, he made a blunder.
"Oswin," said Miss Winter, sis a great
friend Of mine, and think Helen Is my
greatest friend"
"A sister?" inquired Easton, rashly.
eyes. Mr.. Tyars has not spoken of
her, them"
mo. Tyars did not tell me that Grace
had a sister,"
There was a short pause. Perhaps the
American heard the little sigh of relief
given by his companion, marking, as 1t
were, the relaxation Of an effort; such
q sigh as an athlete gives when he has
scored a success and his weary muscles
fall into repose. He became Instantly
conscious of his blunder. He had been
outwitted by this pleasant woman. He
Matthew Mark Easton-a born in
triguer, a man with real genius for con-
spiracy.
"Ah |" reflected Miss Winter, why has
Mr.. Tyars omitted to make mention Of
Helen's existence2" And with feminine
intuition she made a hasty mental note of
this important item.
49," unused Easton, during the same
pause, there Is a Miss Grace, and Tyars
never mentioned her. must be very
careful. Seems to me that there are two
men at stake here. not one and l cannot
afford to lose two sailors such as these"
Miss Winter was now drawn into a
vortex Of light-hearted idlers bent upon
q systematic inspection Of the pictures,
and from their ranks Easton took the first
opportunity Of dropping away unobseryed.