Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-05

"oh! you've got out of it, but you must
pick 1t up again" Aynesworth declared.
Best thing out for the nerves-sort of hu-
manises one, you KNOW
"Humanizes one. does it?' wingrave re-
marked softly. We'll, I'll tryr'
He took cigarette from the box. CURLY
inviting Aynesworth to do the same.
What about lunch?' the latter asked
Would you care to come round with me
to the Cannibal Club? Rather a Bohemian
set. but there are always some good fellows
there
II am much obliged" Wingrave answered
If you viii ask me again in a few days
time l shall be very pleased. 1 do not wish
to leave the hotel Just at present."
DO you want mer" Aynesworth asked.
Not until Ave o'clock Wingrave an
swered. II should be glad II you would
leave me now. and return at that hour. In
the meantime have a commission for you. y
it?'
You will CO." wingrave directed. ito
No. Ii Cadogan street, and you will inquire
for Lady Ruth Darlington. If she should
be out. ascertain the time Of her return
and wait for her,
III she Is out OF town.
"She is in London" Wingrave answered
II have seen her from the window this
morning. You will give her a message Say
that you come from me. and that desire
to sc her tomorrow. The time and place she
can fix. but I should prefer not to go to
Aynesworth stopped down to relight his
cigarette. He felt that Wingrave was
watching him, and he wished to keep his
face hidden.
Il am unknown to Lady Ruth he re-
marked. Surprising she should refuse to
see meT'
wingrave looked at him coldly.
said. THE task does not seem to be DIM
cult one Please see to 1t that 1 have an an
swer by Ave O'Clock"
Aynesworth lunched with a few of his
MAJ trrrla ~ - fy,A ~, NAV hooy ~
of his new adventure with somewhat doubt
you'll never stand the routine, old
chap!'
And what about your own work."
What will the Daily Scribbler people
say?"
Aynesworth shrugged his shoulders.
II don't imagine 1t will last very long.
of; time to myself. The work I do on the
Daily Scribbler doesn't amount to anything.
1t was chance 1 simply couldn't refuse"
The editor OF well-known London paper
leaned back in his chair and pinched cigar
carefully.
You'll probably find the whole thing
sell" he remarked. 1.-The story, as Lowell
told it. sounded dramatic enough. and IL
fresh and vigorous, things might happen.
provided, OF course, that Lowell was right
in his suppositions. But ten or twelve years
solitary confinement, although 1t mayn't
SOuiiO uuCil Oh pdPCIp ID ShOu6h " u uoh
all the life and energy out of a man..
Aynesworth shook his head.
You haven't seen him. he said. Il
have!''
whats he like, Walter" another man
asked.
II can't describe him. Aynesworth an
swered. Il shouldn't like to try. I'll bring
him here some day. You fellows shall see
him for yourselves. find him interesting
enough
The whole thing" the editor declared,
will fizzle out. You see II 1t doesn't! A
man who's just spent ten or twelve years In
prison isn't likely to run any risk of going
there again. There will be no tragedy;
more likely reconciliation"
Perhaps" Aynesworth said imperturb-
ably: But 1t wasn't only the possibility of
anything of that sort happening. you know,
which attracted me. 1t was the tragedy Of
the man himself. with his numbed. helpless
life, set down here in the midst Of us. with
a great, blank chasm between him and his
past. What is there left to drive the wheels?
The events of one day are simple and mo-
notonous enough to us, because they lean
up against the events of yesterday and the
yesterdays before! How do they seem.
wonder. to a man whose yesterday was
more than a decade of years ago."
The editor nodded.
1T must be a grim sensation" he admit
ted. but l am afraid with you, my dear
Walter, ut Is an affair of shop. You wish
to Gull from your Interesting employer the
material for that ever-becoming novel of
yours. Let 80 upstairs. We liile ioi one
pool"
Il haven't" Aynesworth answered. i've
a commission to do
He left the club and walked westward,
fumming softly to himself, but thinking all
the time intently. His errand disturbed him.
He was to be the means Of bringing to-
gether again these two people who had
played the principal parts in Lovelis drama
had ruined his life. What was the object
of It? What manner of vengeance did he
mean to deal out to her? Lovelrs words of
ipremonition returned to him just then with
Wingrave's reappeamnce would lead to
tragical happenings Aynesworth himself
never doubted it. His brief interview with
the man into whose service he had almost
forced himself had impressed him wonder
fully. eYt what weapon was there. save
the crude one Of physical force, with which
Wingrave could strike?
He rang the bell at No. ID Cadogan street
and sent in his card by the footman. The
man accepted 1t doubtfully.
"Her ladyship has only just got up from
luncheon, cir. and she Is not receiving this
afternoon" he announced.
Aynesworth took back his card and scrib-
bled upon it the name of the newspaper for
which he still occasionally worried.
Her ladyship will perhaps see me-" he
said. handing the card back to the man.
ut is q matter of business / will not de-
tain her for more than few minutes"
The man returned presently and ushered
him into small sitting room.
Her ladyship will be quite half an hour
before she can see you. SIR" he said.
II VII wait" Aynesworth answered, TAX
ing up a paper.
The time passed slowly. At last the door
was opened. woman In plain but ex-
quisitely fitting black gown entered. From
Lovelrs description Aynesworth recognized
her at once. and yet, for a moment. he hesi-
tated to- believe that this was the woman
whom he had come to see. The years had
indeed left her untouched Her figure was
slight, almost girlish; her complexion as
smooth. Ind her colortng, faint though 1t
was. as delicate and natural as child q.
Her eyes were unusually large. and the
lashes which shielded them heavy. 1t was
when she looked at him that Aynesworth
began to understand
She carried his card In her hand and
glanced at 1t as he bowed.
you are the Daily Scribbler," she said.
You want me to tell you about my bazaar.
suppose"
II am attached to the Daily Scribbler.
Lady Ruth Darlington" Aynesworth an
swered: but my business this afternoon
has nothing to do with the paper. I have
called with q message from-an old friend
of yours
She raised her eyebrows ever so slightly.
The graciousness of her manner was per
ceptibly abated
"Indeed, I scarcely understand you, Mr..