Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-06-25
CHAPTER vIII.-(Continued.)

New I remember" interrupted Miss
Winter, with her pleasant laugh; of
course. Please don't tell me any more.
MY stall was number-number two hun
drsd and sixty"
-Four" suggested Tyars in such a
manner that 1t was in reality no sngges-
ton at all.
Eyes two hundred and sixty-four.
There was an empty seat on my right
hand
And an old gentleman occupied that
on your left"
my father" she explained. simply
but IN the tone of her pleasant voice
there was something which made Iyars
look gravely at her with very siight
bow as II in apology. Oswin Grace
glanced at his sister with raised eyebrows
and she nodded almost imperceptiby. lie
had sot heard of old Mr.. Winters death
In less skilled hands this incident
might have led to an awkward silence
Due Agnes Winter had not spent zen
year. Of her life in whirl OF society ior
nothing. She knew that ones own feel-
lngs are of strictly individual value.
YOU" she continued, took the va
cant seat"
There was something very like Qnes-
ton in her glance. Oswin Grace did not
look pleased, and his eyes turned from
one face to the other searchingly. Then
she seemed suddenly to have received an
answer to her query. for she turned 10
Helen and launched into narration gayly.
x will tell you," she said, why these
detaias are engraven SO inde!ib.y upon
such poor substance as my memory.
1t was rather a grand night; royalty
WAS sresent. and the theater was almost
full. In front of me were two men who
Nd net appear to be taking an absorbing
interest in the play. for one was draw
ing something which l took to be map
upon his program
1T was a map" confessed Tyars, light
iy.
While he whispered earnestly at in
tervals to his companion. l came to the
conclusion that he was trying to persuade
him to 60 and look for Livingstone. which
suggestion was not well received. At last
he turned round. thought he was adj
mring, or at least noticing, the new
diamond star in my hair. but subsequent
events proved that he was looking over
my head. l was disappointed she added
aside to Tyars.
II both noticed and admired" he ex-
claimed in self-defense. ''rhere were
Two diamond stars, one much larger than
the other.
All except Oswin laughed at this feat
of memory.
"Well," continued Miss Winter. lat
the first interval this irreproachable
yeung man left his seat. came round,
turned back the chair next to me. and
shook-hands with the man in the pit y
The pith of the story lay In its nara
ton, which was perfect. The lady knew
her audience as an able actor knows
his house. BY some subtle trick Of voice
the incident was made to rebound to
Tyars' credit, while its tone was distinct
ly against him. The easy, CHEEKY, honest
humor Of voice and expression was ire
sistib!c. Even the Admiral laughed-as
much as he ever laughed at joke not re-
lated by himself.
He was" explained Tyars in his I'M
satisfactory way, "a friend of mine"
At this moment the door was opened
by SaIter, who announced that dinner
WAS ready. AS they were moving toward
the door Oswin suddenly stopped.
Where is Muggins?' he asked
"On the mat replied Tyars. 'Hc
was rather shy, and preferred waiting
for a special invitation. lie is not quite
at home on carpets yet
II have heard about Muggins." said
Helen to Tyars as they went downstairs
together. 'and am quite anxious to make
his acquaintance"
SO Muggins was introduced to his new
friends, standing gravcly on the dining
room hearthrug with his sturdy legs set
we'll apart, his stump of tail jerking
rervously at times, and his pink trimmed
eyes appraised appcalingiy to his masters
face lie was endeavoring to the best OF
his ability to understand who all these
well-dressed people were. and why ne was
forced into such sudden prominence
Moreover, he was DESTROYS of acquittina
himself well; aud that smell of oxta
soup was somewhat distracting to a sea
farer.
He formed the subject OF conversation
while this same soup was being discuss
ed, and Tyars was almost enthusiastic
on the subject, somewhat to the amuse
ment Of Miss Agnes Winter, who was mo-
a great lover Of dogs.
The dinner passed off very pleasantly
and many subjects were discussed witt
greater or less edifcaton. Miss Winter
seemed to take the lead, in virtue of hel
seniority over the young hostess. touch
Ing upon many things with her light an,
airy precision, her gay philosophy, hel
gentle irony.
Admiral Grace was the only person whit
succeeded in getting a piece of persona
information from Tyars, and this by tn,
bluntest direct question.
Il once" said the old gentleman, IVA,
on q committee with a west country baro
net of your name-a Sir Wlbert Tyar
is he any relation of yours:"
YES" Tyars answered. with just suffi
Client interest to prove his utter indiffer
ence. "Yes: he Is my uncle"
There was a short pause some furthe
remark was evidently expected
Il have not seen him for many years,
he added, closing the incident.
When Mis- Winters carriage was an
nounced at a quarter to eleven Tyars ros,
and said good might with an unemotona
ease which might equally have marked
the beginning Of intimacy or the consum
nation Of a formal social debt.
When Agnes Winter came downstair
arrayed in soft diaphanous arrange
ment of Indian silk he was gone. ant