Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25

mons was answered; then the door was
opened by "a well-dressed, Unconditional
looking maid.
Clodagh stepped forward.
II am Mrs. Milbanke-your mistress" she
said. quickly.
The woman looked at her with curiosity.
will you kindly walk in, madam she
said. Il hope you will find everything in
order.
A chill-a chill that painfully suggested
homesickness-fel1 upon Clodagh; but she
thrust It resentfully~ aside and entered the
pretty, paneled hall of the fiat.
Where is Lady Frances Hope?" she
asked, pausng just inside the threshold
The maid came forward respectfully, but
without enthusiasm
"Her ladyship has not been here today,
madam. Can l attend to you, madam, I'M
til your maid arrives?'
CIodagh stood very STILL She was con-
scious of horrible inordinate disappoirlt-
ment; but aware that the servants eyes
were still upon her, she rallied her self-con-
troll.
"Thanks!.' she said. IT sha'n't want any,
thing but cup of tea Bring me some tea
to my own room. Did Lady Frances Hope
leave no message?
mo message, madam
The. maid ,hesitated for an instant longer.
then, feeling herself dismissed, moved
noiselessly away to the servants quarters.
Left alone, Clodagh stood frresolute. This
was her house-her home! Her eyes wan
dered round the hall, from the walls. of
which the pictures of the former tenant
looked down as though they criticised the
intruder. This was her home coming! A
homecoming devoid Of one friendly hand.
one welcoming word. Unable to quell the
passion Of loneliness that swelled within
her, she turned blindly and opened the
door that stood nearest to her.
1t was the dining room that she had
CHANGED upon-a charming, white, paneled
room furnished in Sheraton style. But in
her present mood its graceful severity failed
to please her; to her lonely gaze 1t had an
Tninhabited look-it seemed almost to re-
semble very perfect room upon the stage.
Drawing back hastily, she closed the door,
and. moving down the hall, entered another
room.
This proved to be her own bed room-a
bright, high-ceiled apartment decorated and
furnished In old French fashion, and pos
sessing two large windows looking upon
Hyde Park. But here again she was con-
fronted by the sensation of unfamiliarity.
And as she paused just inside the door,
looking from the long windows to the
stately bed, she was suddenly and COM
pletely dominated by her feelings. In a
tempestuous wave Of emotion her hunger
for happiness rose menacingly, while the
tide of her philosophy suddenly ebbed. In
that moment as she stood alone in the wide
room, she swayed between trust in her own
heart and faith in the worlds healing pow
er. Then, as has frequently happened, the
world snatched the laurels before they had
been held out.
With the same unmoved demeanor the
maid who had admitted her appeared at
the door,
IF you please, madam, the housemaid
tells me that her ladyship did send a note
for you this morning. You'll find it on
the dressing table,"
At the woman's words Clodagh started,
and her whole face colored and changed.
Hurrying across the room, she saw the let
ter, picked it up, and tore it open. She
read: --.s,-. .s---
Dearest Clodagh-I must seem a perfect
beast. But my old aunt Deborah-with
whom / can't afford to Quarrel!-has an
nounced her stupid intention of spending a
day in town. And of course 1t must be this
day Of all days. Do be a darling, and show
you forgive me by coming round to dine at
$50 Lord Deerehurst returned yesterday
from the famous two months rest cure.
looking younger than ever. He and Val will
be here tonight. Bridge after dinner. Don't
fail to come. Yours. 'F. H."
AS Clodagh read the last line of the let
ter she lifted her head. and turned with a
quick gesture to the maid who was waiting
by the door.
II want a fire lighted here. and my tea
brought to me Immediately it is ready" she
cried, in a changed voice. "And send my
maid in directly she arrives. I'm dining
out"
Without waiting for a reply, she crossed
the room and paused beside one of the win
dows looking down upon the park Her
spirits had risen; her excitement had been
rekindled; she had been saved from the one
companionship she had learned to dread
companionship with herself
CTo be continued tomorrow)