The Washington herald., 1907-10-27
CHAPTER XIV.

Il was with the deepest interest and
excitement that St Quintin watched the
meeting of his friend and Monsieur Ie-
blanc. and he saw at once that they both
greeted each other with a sort Of bravado,
not as If they had recently met. indeed.
but as if they had just learned something
undesirable each about the other That
was strongly the impression obtained by
St. Quintin as he watched their galvanic
smiles and saw their hands touch and
Immediately let the other go.
The ladies helped greatly to prevent the
gathering from being awkward and un-
comfortable. Nine. Leblanc chatted and
laughed, and Miss Stanley, waking Up
from her usual lethargy. backed her up
with an energy which said more for her
zeal than for her powers Of interesting
conversation Marie's share in the enter
tainment was more passive one. Seated
beside Capt. DarnalI, she had TO listen 10
him when lie talked, as he did in low,
confidential voice. bending his head to
look into her face in such a manner that
ST Quintin longed 70 kick him
Capt, Darnall did not condescend to
pretend that he took an interest in any
person present except Miss Densley, and
all the weak and timid efforts she made
70 join in the general conversation were
checked by his determined stand and by
the air of authority with which he mo-
nopOlized her attention.
Not once did she get an opportunity Of
speaking 10 ST. Quintin, who by the bye,
was mOnOpOliZed almost as carefully by
Nine. Leblanc as James Ince was By Miss
Stanley.
The party, thus split up into three un-
comfortable and dreary tete-a-tetes. with
Monsieur Leblanc to preside over them
and to see that they did not break up
into fresh and Unwelcome combinations
was tiresome and dull Tea was served
without any change in the character Of
the gathering, and then Capt Darnan. on
the one hand, and St. Quintin and Ince.
on the other sat down steadily 10 the
pastime Of trying to tire the other out.
Absolutely unmindful Of the hints given
by Miss DenSley's Indifference 10 his re-
marks and by her stolen gIances at the
clock, Capt. Darnan continued to lean
forward to speak low in her ear. and re-
fused to be- daunted by her manosvlIabic
replies or by her glanCes across me room
at St Quintin.
At last, James Ince, who began To
dread the result Of this steady tanning
Of the jealousy in st. Quintin's breast,
looked at his friend as a signal 10 make
the first move. St Quintin, bored to
death by Nine Leblanc's rattling flow
Of gossip was answering at random with
scant ceremony. Ince, on his side. had
exhausted the governess' stock Of com
monplaces and his own, and was run dry
Monsieur Leblanc noticed the glance
and came TO the rescue
Before you so, Mr. Ince. I should like
you to see a little invention of mine
that l am trying to perfect. something
which WILL 1 think, bring me into some
prominence with the scientific world"
James Ince, looking strangely agitated.
rose quickly az the words He was ex-
ceedingly anxious to cut short the IN
pleasant visit they were making, as he
feared that st. Quintins patience would
not hold out much longer
We shall be delighted, monsieur"
said he, frOwnlng at ST Quintin. who
still seemed reluctant TO make a move.
Come, Q, you VIII be late for your
appointment" he added, sharply.
The young man rose In his turn. but |
still kept his eyes turned in the direc- |
ion Of Marie, who, suddenly breaking
away from her gaoler, ran across the |
'oom and held out her hand to him.
Don't look so wretched," she said /
/ can't help myself. hate this man, !