Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-30

/
| Milbankes eyes with no suggestion Of en-
| barrassment for last nights adventure.
He met her glance for an instant; then
his own wandered guiltily to the corner Of
Not at all!'' he said, hurriedly mot at
| race"
''Of course. If you like" she said. But
1t won't be much to look at" She added
| this with quick glance that Intellectually
attempted to gauge the guests tastes and
| powers Of appreciation
| Twill be grandr' murmured Nance.
softly. And know who's going to win."
| 'Nonsense!" said Clodagh. II won in the
practice last night. but the strand was wet.
| and the cob Is only sure on hard ground"
But, nevertheless. she flushed and threw
| a quick look Of appreciation and affection
| at her loyal little partisan.
What are you two chattering about?"
| said Asshlin. standing up from the fire and
Strengthening his shoulders. "Is that your
| waiting for his breakfast? Faith. we knew
| better in the old days-eh, James,
He laughed and passed round the table.
Clodagh presided at the old-fashioned sill
yer urn; and either her condolences Of the
| night before or the prospect of her coming
contest affected her. for she forgot the diff
] fidence that had marked her at the dinner
| of the preceding evening, and talked bright
| ly and with interest on a variety OF SUBJ
| jects. Finally, as she handed Milbanke his
| second cup Of tea, she touched upon the OBJ
| JeCC OF MS VISIT.
Twas to see the ruins of Carrigmore.
not US. that you came, wasn't it," she said.
with shade OF humor.
He returned her glance seriously.
"Oh. no." he said. AT least"
"Ah. now you've let it outr' she exclaimed
Didn't I. Nance? I knew no one would
| come here just to see u.s."
| Asshlin laughed
"'Pon my SOUL" he cried. "you haven't
learned your market value yet Clo'-H I
were girl I'm hanged If I'd rate myself
| lower than fourth-century ruin"
| He laughed afresh.
| But Clodagh displayed no embarrassment.
| She was too IMMERSED In the ways. Of CO.
| remark
"1?" she SAID naively. What have I to
After this there was trifng silence. at
| the end Of which Asshlin looked quickly at
| his guest.
! by the way. James," he exclaimed. I'VE
were too well amused last night to look
| ahead. I never thought of asking you about
| today. Have you any pet plans or schemes?
| Is 1t to be pilgrimage to st. Galen? Or
what do you say to day in the saddle !?
a good gallop pleases you. I have as neat a
| little horse for you as ever carried sad
die. What do you say? OF course. II you
think the Round Tower is likely to collapse
! raise q finger; but"
Milbanke laughed.
my dear Denis" he said quickly. don't
you trouble on my account He glanced
deprecatingly over Asshlin's sporting attire
| Don't you trouble about me. I never was
a sportsman. as you know I'll go to my
own hunting. and you go to yours. Don't
let me interfere with any plans you may
have formed. enjoy solitary excursion"
But Asshlin's face darkened.
"Oh. no." he objected. after short
then the meet is off 80 far as 1 am con-
| cerned. can't have you roaming about the
country by yourself. Oh. no; I hope I re-
member my obligations.''' - --<s-.
| Milbanke looked distressed. With q gen.
uine feeling Of embarrassment he turned
from one face to the other.
My dear Denis" he objected feebly Il
must really beg Of YOU"
Not another word! Not another wordr
Asshlin ostentatiously helped himself to
some ham, II hope. James, that whatever
traditions OF hospitality. If you don't feel
on for 1t there's no hunting for me today"
| After this there another unpleasant
pause. Asshlin attempted to hide his cha
| grin. but his face was Enthusiastically dark
with disappointment.
For a space Milbanke toyed with his
breakfast, then he spoke again.
| But. my dear Denis, if you will only al
| low me-" he ventured
| But before Asshlin could reply Clodagh's
| voice broke in.
'tOh. you needn't bother SO much. father"
she said. easily. You go to the meet and
I'll take Mr.. Milbanke to Carrigmore I'll
drive him over in the pony trap, or we'll
walk-whichever he likes best
She spoke fiuently and gayly. and 1t was
difficult for Mtlbanke to reconcile the high,
| buoyant tones Of her voice with the serious
note struck by her the night before. Filled
with relief. however. at her timely inter-
| ruption, he was satisfied to let the discrep-
| ancy go unregarded.
EXCELLENT" he cried. IAN excellent idea.
Miss Clodagh! Here's your difficulty
solved. Denis. Your Irish sense OF chivalry
/ fn mo oP 81 oh
| ing a guide"
Clodagh laughed frankly at the stilted
compliment, and Asshlin's face frightened
perceptibly
"Oh. well. as you're so amiable," he said,
| magnanimously. II don't mind admitting
that 'twould have been bit of a sacrifice
been overruled by the majority I'd have
| swallowed the ruins without a grimaoe."
| He laughed with restored good-humor, and
turned to his daughters.
| when you've done breakfast Clo," he
said. run round to tho stables and tell
Burke he need only saddle the bay"
With the decision that he was after all to
enjoy his days sport his spirits had risen
| and despite the fact that the daylight re-
| vealed many evidences Of last nights dis
| sipation that would have been invisible
thirty years ago. Milbanke was pleased and
treasured by his appearance. His move
| ments were energetic his expression alert.
| He suggested one who is interested and at
/ tracted by life; and the elder man was too
! uHlInaBlndtlVS-tOO SIISlo Oh purpose IN Ms
| own concerns-to suspect that the energy,
J the alert suggestion Of anticipation were
| due to his own presence in the house-to the
promise of excitement and diversion that
that presence offered.
| With the definite arrangement Of the
days plans fresh energy had descended
/ on the party, and but a few minutes passed
| before Clodagh and Nance rose from the
| table and left the room. Then, as the
| two men were left alone, Milbanke put into
action the resolution that had been grad
ually Maturing In his mind.
| Not without certain trepidation-not
! without an embarrassed distaste for the
| task-he bent forward in his precise man.
ner. and. drawing the check from beneath
| his plate. began to smooth it out.
=, Denis" ne said, II found this on my
plate when came downstairs"
| Asshlin looked up hastily and laughed.
| He had all the Irishman's dstaste to money
| as a topic Of conversation. He was as SEN
| sitive in the offering of 1t to another as in
| the accepting of 1t for himself.
"Oh, that's all rightr' he said. quickly.
Mot another word about that, James-not
another syllable"
But Milbanke continued to toy with the
| check.
"Denis." he began again, a shade Of ner-
vousness audible In his voice, II am I'M