Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10

she sat dull and spiritless, and at it's close,
when she had promised to sing one song
for them, tried to get out of it and leave
the party.
There was a general outcry of remon-
STRANGE. Bobby Vane, coming around to
lead her to the piano. whispered to her to
do her best and silence the tabby chorus.
When she finally yielded. and sat down. ex-
pectation ran high among Mr.. Vereker's
faction that the girl would give them some
thing audaclous to be remembered.
1t was but NANNY" chant. she
breathed. rather than sang. in voix dor
before they could applaud 1t she struck
1irmer chords, and began Lockhart's Span
ish ballad:
Rise up. rise up Xarifa.
And lay your golden cushion down"
The song and its setting were unfamiliar
to most of those present. While 1t lasted,
they forgot the grinding of mighty screws
that bore the ship ever forward, they heard
not the wash of ocean coming through the
open ports. They were in ancient days of
warlike Spain. and all their sympathy was
for the lovely Moorish lady forsaken by
false Abdallah. Everybody within hearing
was drawn irresistibly to listen in ravished
silence And when for the last time the
hapless Xarifa refused to come to the win
dow and gaze with all the town at her
recreant lover riding by in state, the hon
OrS OF the evening were clearly for Posey
Winstanley. At that moment. all but few
of the audience were prepared to be led
or used by her, as one feels when Calve
softens 10 sing a folk-song of her native
land.
Amid the patter of applause Miss Win
stanley abruptly arose from the plano, and
said she was going out TO get a breath of
air. There We're protestations, hut only the
host who looked at her with beared. en-
Taptured eyes. ventured to ask her to sing
again. Then, Mr.. Nereker finding his prop
osition for Lillian Russelrs latest success
UNDECIDED allowed the departure of his
star rejecting all offers - Companionship,
10 be the signal for breaking up the af-
fair.
Everybody scattered. the men to the
smoking room, the ladies to their cabins.
Helen Carstairs. with her maid in attend
ance. came back almost Immediately. and
stood for a moment hesitatiug in the com
panionway OF theNdeCk where she had last
seen Posey. Here she encountered Clan
donald. who. like herself. seemed TO be
Il am undertaking formidable task"
she said. To look for missing person
ir this ship; but have you CHANGED to see
Miss Winstanley anywhere
She saw that his face was clouded his
calm ruffed.
Il myself have been on the same search"
lie said. brusquely. But we may as well
spare our pains. The young lady in ques-
ton appears TO be at present under charge
Of Mr. VeTeker.'
Helen had but time to let her face show
the annoyance of her feelings. when out
OF the clear OBSCURE OF tne OeCk DeSOnu,
against a background of sky painted with
such bright stars as never Shakespeare
saw. came to them n flying figure. 1t was
Posey. flushed with angry blood, and after
her hmped their host of the evening, his
spectral face wreathed in apologize smiles.
'tOh. please Miss Carstairs may l stay
with your exclaimed the girl with CULVER
Ing lips. In her agitation putting herself
between Helen and Clandonald who in
voluntarily interposed his stalwart form
so that none else could approach her 'I
didn't realize how late 1t was when l went
out to be by myself in the fresh air.
Miss Winstanley is just leetle nervous
after her triumphs of tonight" began Mr.
Vereker. who had come up with them-
smoothly. but Ill at
Il am not nervous l never was in my
life" cried the girl. stamping her foot 1T
is because-because-''
She ended In burst of passionate tears.
Let me go with you to your ROOM" said
Helen. gently. II had wanted to ask YOU
for a little walk but 1t is late now and
the deck people are for putting US all to
bed"
High strung little fly and green: green
as grass" observed Mr.. Vereker to Clan
donald as Miss Carstairs disappeared lead
ing Posey down the corridor IF you're
up 10 little poker in the smoking room
/ can tell you thing or two about cur be-
witching girl from Dixieland that will
amuse you greatly
You viii excuse me-" answered Clan
donald with lightning in his gaze Mariol.
passing in at the moment, saw Vereker
shrivel under it and disappear. CIandonald
gave his friend a clue to the situation
'If you had followed your impulse and
punched the old sinners head" commented
Marfol 1T might have been n poor return
for his hospitality, but mighty relief to