Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24
think you got so near anything that would

have given me such pure joy"
Il didn't get near that was just the
trouble. ] believe she liked me, perhaps
better than any other man on board, till
Ruby's doings came between us. But she
gave me Enthusiastically to understand there
could be nothing again after we parted
she was engaged to this man Giynn-"
WHO Is really fine. manly fellow, Gan;
you couldn't help liking him. But. oh! why
couldn't he have fancied the Carstairs
dear. it is just a marvel to me. Posey.
who is as open as a spring morning when
there isn't cloud in the sky; Posey. who
never prevaricates or hesitates about the
truth. how could she let me go on, day az
ter day. hour after hour, talking about
you"
"A fine evidence of her polite endurance.
Aunt Lucy. Poor Miss Winstanley!''
How could she, say, without giving me
the least hint that you had fallen in love
with her?'
Il suppose because she considered that
my secret"
Now that think it over i seems to me
that she almost always managed to turn
the conversation In your direction. She
certainly showed the utmost relish in what
ever l had to tell her, good, bad or ipdif-
ferent.'
There was no occasion for the use of
either of the last two adjectives. when l
was your subject" said Glandonald, look
ing at her with tenderness more touched
than he chose to show.
mo. my dear, there wasn't, must say.
Oh, Clan, it all comes back TO me with a
rush. Why, Posey has been just living on
talk of you and "reminiscences of you ever
since we have been together. And / thOughI
1t was only IT,
Take care; Aunt Lucy" the man said.
getting up to stride back and forth across
the room. This is dangerous doctrine
you're preaching, when Miss Winstanley's
wedding day is set"
God forgive me, so it is answered Lady
Campstown, the tears rushing into her
eyes.
let us make a pact. will your said
Clandonald. stopping presently II have
gone over and left my pasteboards in due
form at Refine des Fees, at time when
you told me the ladies were likely to be at
the golf club
Yes, and was really quite put out about
it, but see now that it was better So
"And / shall meet the young lady at din
ner here this evening, according to your
plan. There will be several outsiders. 1
shan't have much chance to speak with
her. and after that"
me after that. Indeed. couldn't stand it;
you positively must stay. 1 should tell you
that you won't run much chance of seeing
Posey privately, in any case She's tre-
mendously taken up with filters and people
who come down from Paris to bring things
for her to see. Besides, Miss Carstairs isn't
in good spirits. l find, and no wonder-I
believe she just broke and ran away from
enough of Mrs. Carstairs' doingS the little
time she was here to be thankful she took
herself off. There's trouble brewing for
the husband. If all one is told Is true. Po-
sey watches over Helen like mother bird
and hardly leaves her. Besides, they are
expecting at any day or time the return
of Mr.. Glynn. He hasn't cabled, but it
was understood he was to get aboard the
first available ship sailing for Cherbourg or
the Mediterranean ports the hour after he
finished some critical business he had on
hand for his chief. CThe way these Ameri-
cans fly fairly takes ones breath awayD
So there is no reason for you to go from
here, If you think there's to be any en-
barrassment resulting from your meeting
with her The days will glide on fast
enough to the weddingi" she ended with a
deep and heartfelt sigh.
Il don't want to run in face of the en-
envy. indeed" he said. trying for more
the garden and smoke a pipe and try and
settle my perturbed spirit. And you dear,
what will you do with yourself this after
noon?"
The carriage is ordered soon for a round
of visits 1 have to make How much
rather had / spend the time. as 1 often do
at this hour, going in through the green
door to sit with Posey in the orange walk
near the fountain with the broken-nosed
Triton, you remember. It's her favorite
spot. and nothing but rain win prevent her
sitting there for an hour with her book or
work.
Then I'll see you at tea time. if not be-
fore"
'.Ill be back. you may trust me. Nothing
/ dislike more than having my tea out at
houses where a woman sits behind a little
table talking to everybody that comes and
mixing the most abominable doses of half
cold tea and too much cream and sugar for
her unoffending guests, forgetting whether
the water boils or the teapot has stood too
long, Keep to the bamboo walk, my dear,
the mistral is blowing hard today, and
you're not like me. acclmatized to it. Down
there you'll be sheltered and private and
can smoke your pipe In peace.
Clandonald had hardly left his aunt stand
ing before the fireplace in her sunny draw
ing room, pondering upon the surprising IN
telligence he had communicated, when Lady
Campstown's p..rlor maid came in with a
rather frightened face.
We'll, Parks, what Is 1t? Have you
broken piece of my old Sevres in putting
ft?"
ITS only, mylady." said the girl. halt
ingly that the-er-lady you gave us
orders not to admit has driven up to the
gate In a cab and insists upon seeing you
on business of the highest Importance, so
she says
You mean the person calling herself
Mrs. Darien?" asked the dowager IN ley
tones.
That were the name. your ladyship."
What can 1 do?" passed through Lady
CampstOwn's much-perturbed and angered
brain. ''Clans being here complicates
making a scene that will echo through the
neighborhood. / have declared that I will
not again hold speech with her. II she
were herself / believe even she would not
push into my house and presence. The hor-
rible fear Is that she Is not herself, but
under the influence of drink. In that case
l must get old Rosa, who loves her still, to
take her of quietly.
Say that Lady Campstown will see Mrs
Darien for ten minutes before she goes out
to keep an engagement. And. Parks, tell
the cab to wait. Not outside the front
gate but in the lane at the bottom OF the
garden. And. Parks send Rosa to me at
once"
The Proyencal servant. called Rosa with a
rather pale and guilt-stricken face and
manner. came hastily Into the drawing
room. stepping back to hold open Its door
for Mrs.. Darien, who followed close upon
her heels.
Stop where you are Rosa said the mis-
trees Of the dwelling. now the great lady in
every muscle and fibre of her stately little
FORM She spoke In the woman's own tongue
and her low. clear voice was charged with
indignant emphasis. From this lady's
appearance In my house assume that she
Is in some degree irresponsible for her
actions and that she needs q caretaker to
escort her back whence she came. I desire
you to make yourself ready to 60 with her,
now. directly, without delay, and not to re-
turn under my roof until you can report to
me that you have done So"
IN oh, Asyn