The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-01
CHAPTER XXI (COntinued)

CHAPTER XXI Continued
When the question arose of what should
be done with her. Mrs. Thisuethwaite
was pounding on, "a vacancy had just
occurred in the laundry; really, it seemed
quite providence. I took pains to point
that out Of her, and even to accompany
her 10 the scene of her new duties
'Ah. it's that personal effort that tells.
I've known Mrs. Thistlethwaite go round
the refectory at breakfast time and taste
every bowl Of pOrridge - put in Mr.. This
tlethwaite.
"Heroic!' murmured Ashe.
Il may truly say I have done what I
could. sighed Mrs Thistlethwaite.
but
Your protege did not recognize it,
said Ashe
Recognize it, The ungrateful crea-
ture decamped that very night-took ad-
vantage of a little extra liberty which
had been given her, and though she had
no money, and every inquiry was made.
not trace could be found of her. Now.
daresay it seems impossible to you. but
that young lady is the very image Of
that poor, lost creature"
Which. 1 am certain, YOU will be con
siderate enough not to speak of" said
Ashe. Tt would be painful to any one
10 know that they had such a double as
your very unsatisfactory protege; and
while as men of the world. Mr. Thistle
thwaite and I. of course. know" he
shrugged his soulders and ''Henrys' ey&-
glass became lambent with satisfaction,
in this case that superstition may be
wholly put aside"
of course-of couTse-fricnds Of yours. -
murmured Mr.. Thistlethwaitc; but may
! ask-who-"
They are one Of the best-known and
the oldest of Scottish families" said
Ashe. knowing that the hotel register
would supply the information if he did
not. The StOTmonts of Stormont, and
the young lady is Sir Davids only child.
1 must have a word with them by and
by but really, I got interested in your in
stitutiOn-makes all the difference to hear
OF such things ut first hand. I'm afraid.
Ike most men. I simply chuck reports
when I get them. but to hear all about it.
as you tell il" with a glance at Mrs.
Thistlethwaite.
"A man of remarkable breadth and
him. breathed Mr. Thistlethwaite when
Ashe had at last disengaged himself
from his new friends-no easy task.
I've seldom met any one who showed
such an intelligent appreciation of our
labors-of your labOrs, my dear-and I
was inclined to think him merely one of
your empty-headed fashiOnables-"
You are always hasty, my dear Henry.
Now, If you had asked my opinion"
The echo Of the words came rumhling
down the terrace after Ashe He smiled.
but itswas not wholly from amusement.
His usual cool, even balance was a little
upset by the amusing favor chance had
done him. As by a turn of the keleido-
scope, his fragmentary facts and theories
had suddenly taken definite shape Doubt
and conjecture were at an end. He
seemed TO tread on air
Dinner was over before at last he got
his opportunity. The terrace, more
thronSed than ever. was a blaze of cleo
trio light, beyond which night and space
hung Ike vast dim pail of purple. the
long line Of lights from Chillon and far
away to Vevay lying like "a golden en-
broidery along its hem. At the extreme
end. in a nook screened off by palms he
found what he had been seeking. An
empty chair. book. a lace shawl, showed
that Lady StOTmOnt had been there but
Tor the moment IsObel sat alone by the
parapet, her eyes gazing into the dark
ness.
She turned with a slight start. but in
the chequer-work of light and shade made
by the broad palm fronds. even Ashes
keen scrutiny could not read her express
sion. He had known Of the Testament.
he had helped to put into her hands that
woeful tailsman which had changed her
life
1T is rather a mixed multitude" said
Ashe, as the clash of the band and the
clatter of many voices came surging
through the screen Of palms. But for a
short time it is not un9musing. and there
IS some little compensation in the curious
encounters one has and the odd waits that
are thrown up by the stream Of travel
] had quite long talk this afternoon
with = pair of typically British Philis-
tines-broadcloth and black beads. good
works, and respectability-you know the
sort"
You forget how limited my experience
Is, said Isobel, rising. Mother has
evidently been detained. I think I must
so and join her" stretching a hand to-
ward the book and shawl.
Ashe gathered them up.
i shall point out the worthy couple to
you II they are still here. and then you
can be in no doubt as 10 the type after
ward. They were most communicative. -
he went on, as Isobel moved slowly for
ward, and a white shaft of light fell on
her pale, pure profile. beginning with
the faCt"-he stopped little forward to
see her face the better-"that their name
was-ThistlethwaiteT