Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-29

.~To me? What aboutf'
The other hesitated for q moment, then
looked eds .tra Ms1,t. ct t.a her companion.
The onslaught was so sudden that Clo-
dagh had no time to guard her feelings.
She fushed-a deep, painful flush that
spread over her cheeks. her ears. her fore
head.
Lady Frances looked at her mercilessly
II have been worrying SO about his COM
ing-worrying SO about you.'
About mef
Ciodagh said the words consciously and
uncomfortably.
yes 1 feel 80 much for you-you who
are SO sensitive Clodagh!' She laid her
daghl 1 am your best friend. You believe
that?"
to mel"
And always shall be good to you Look
here!' Her voice suddenly took on the
tone of seeming frankness that Is the clever
woman's best weapon I'm enormously
fond of you enormously fond OF you. 1
should hate to see you hurt or-or-
She paused judiciously. -
But who would hurt me? Why should
be hurt?'
you shouldn't be, Of course. But some
one. Oh, my dear girl, I'm unhappy at this
unlucky coming Of Walters. It's hard-t's
really hard-on you.'
AS these words were uttered 1t seemed to
Clodagh that faint. cold wind blew from
some unseen quarter, chilling the summer
manufacturing her own happiness.
''Why-why hard on mel" she asked.
Dear child!' Lady Frances tone was
deep and kind do you remember the
night in town when you asked me to take
you to the Tamperleighs party?"
Yes. I remember"
You remember why refusedT
Yes, remember"
But you did not know my full reason
for refusing. 1 had met Walter a day or
two before. We had discussed YOU
"And what had Sir Walter Gore to say OF
me?''
HE said-oh. dear child. don't ask me to
be too LITERAL
els 1t worth while? tried to keep you
two apart while could. Now that it has
become impossible"
But why should we be kept apart? What
Dear Clodagh! You know Walter-you
know how entirely he disapproves-"
'Disapproves! Disapproves! What right
has Sir Walter Gore to disapprove Of me?
To criticise me-to speak of me?' Her voice
shook, not-as she herself imagined-with
outraged pride, but with uncontrollabie
disappointment and pain oh, resent IT.
she cried. IT resent it!''
Then suddenly she paused, turning to her
companion with an almost frightened
gesture. Up the long avenue came the
sound of wheels and the rapid clatter of
many hoofs.
LADY Frances put out her hand again and
touched Clodagh's wrist.
Here they are" she said. II am glad to
see your courage. / admire It..
AS she had intended, the sharp, concise
words braced her companion She stood for
an instant longer in an attitude OF nervous
panic; then suddenly she threw up her head
with a touch of the boyish spirit that had
marked her long ago.
IL am not a coward, Lady Frances
she said.
Side by side they waited, while the big,
v>;Ja Hxy Tr1ffn oil
swung round the bend of the drive. And as
Clodagh- stood there, watching the great
vehicle sweep round to the hall door, her
face became pale and her fingers closed
1t was her world-her world in miniature
that swayed toward her while she impotent-
ly waited its approach.
On the box. beside George Tuffnell, sat
Mrs. Bathurst, radiant in summer gar
ments; behind were Deerehurst. Serracauld.
Gore and a middle-aged man who was Un-
known to her. AS her eye passed from one
face to another, Tuffnell drew the horses
up with great dexterity, the servants sprang
to the ground, and Lady Diana came hos
pitably forward from the recesses of the
hall.
The first guest to descend from the coach
was Serracauld. Reaching the ground, he
paused for a second to brush some dust
from his light flannel suit; then he came
forward to his hostess.
How d. you do, Lady Diana!-and Lady
Frances"
He shook hands with both; then he
turned to Clodagh with rather more i'm
pressiveness.
"How tremendously fit you look!'' he
said.
Before she could answer Deerehurst Joined
them, calmly taking her hand as though it
were his right
"Well-Circe!' he said, below his breath.
I'VE have followed"
Clodagh turned her eyes hastily, almost
nervously, from Serracauld's attentive face
IN the cold features of the older
IL should feel very flattered," she said,
lightly.
Her eyes were on Deerehurst's, her hand
was in his, but her mind was poignantly
conscious of Cores figure standing close
behind her, of Cores voice exchanging
greetings with Lady Diana Tuffnell.
moment later she knew that he had
turned and had seen the tabeau made by
the old peer, Serracauld and herself.
How d'you do, Mrs. Milbanke? 1t Is a
long time since we have met"
1t was not until he had directly addressed