Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09

| get away from stupid dinner in time"
| She let him go reluctantly. Afterward
| she passed into her own room and stood
looking at herself in the pier-glass. Artists
| and the society papers called her the most
| beautiful woman in England; fashion had
placed her upon such a pinnacle that men
counted It distinction to be seen speaking
| like royalty itself; she had never once
known a rebuff. This afternoon she felt
she had received one. Had she been too
/ underestimated the man himself She rang
for her maid.
! Celeste" she said, II shall wear my new
Paquin gown tonight at the opera, and
| Very good your ladyship."
| And l am going to lie down for an hour
| or two now. Don't let mo be disturbed I
want to look my best tonight. You under
| stand?"
| Perfectly. your ladyship."
| Inc marchioness rested. but she did not
sleep. She was thinking of Wingrave!
II was not Lady Ruth. but her husband,
w tnrn was Walting 70 see Winsrave on his re-
| turn. Aynesworth was talking to him, but
| at once withdrew. Wingrave nodded with
signify upraised eyebrows He never shook
| hands with Darlington
You wanted to see me?' he inouired
carelessly turning over little pile of let
! tiers.
harrington was Ill at ease. He hated
| himself and he hated his errand
| Yes, for e. moment or two-if you're not
busy he said. May I smoke? I'm nerv-
| Gus this morning"
| Help yourself" Wingrave said shortly.
! cigarettes and cigars on the sideboard.
| Touch the bell If you'll take anything to
| drink"
| "Thanks-Aynesworth gave me a brandy
| ana soda Capital fellow. Aynesworth!"
! ''Have another" Wingrave said shortly
He crossed the room to the sideboar I'd.
! Wingrave glanced up from his letters and
smiled coldly as he saw the, shaking fingers.
- Il don't often indulge like this" Bar
| rington said. turning away from the side
| board with a tumbler already empty in his
| hands. THE fact is. I've had rather a
| rude knock, and Ruth thought Ia better
| come and see YOU
| Wingrave remained a study of impas-
| siyity. His guests whole demeanor, his
uneasy words and nervous gIances were an
unspoken appeal to be helped out in what
| he had come to say. And Wingrave knew
| very we'll what it was. Nevertheless, he re-
manned silent-politely questioning Bar
rington sat down little heavily. He was
not SO carefully dressed as usual: he looked
older, his appearance lacked altogether that
air OF buoyant prosperity which was wont
to inspire his friends and creditors with
confidence. d,
I've been fool, Wingrave," he said
money few weeks ago. and 1t seemed so
easy mat l couldn't resist having a try by
myself. only on rather a larger scale 1
lost! Then I went in again to pull myself
L
l can easily raise before settlement"
Il am sorry" Wingrave~ said politely
1T Is very unwise to NEEDLE in things you
know so little about"
For moment the worm turned Barring
ton rose to his feet, and with a deep flush
upon his cheeks moved toward the door
But his spark of genuine feeling died out
almost as soon as 1t had been kindled Out
side that door was ruin within, as he very
we'll knew. lay his only chance of saliva
| ton. He set down his hat. and turned
round
"Wingrave." he said, will you lend me
some money!"
Wingrave looked at him with appraised
| eyebrows
t." he remarked, lend you money =?
! Why should IT'
| st is you who have chosen to seek us
! out. You have forced upon us something
which has at least the semblance Of friend
| ship There is no one else whom l could
ask. 1t isn't only this d stock exchange
| transaction. Everything has gone wrong
| with me for years. If I could have kept
| going till next July, 1 should have been
all right 1 have made a little success in
| the house. and 1 am promised place In
queer that 1 should be asking you, but
| 1t is that-or ruin. Now you know how
| things are with me-
you are making" Wingrave said quietly
| "a mistake. 1 have not pretended or given
the slightest evidence of any friendship for
yourself
| Darlington looked at him with slowly
mounting color.
You mean
Precisely" Wingrave interrupted. II do
not know what 1 might or might not do
for Lady Ruth. L have not considered the