Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-23
Copyright 1905, 1907,
BY Little, Brown & Company.
CHAPTER XIII.
Richardson Tries Again.
u sav-whO that was ~

was leaning back IN lhe corner OF the car
riagc. and she seemed somehow to have
shruuk into an unusual insigniticance. Her
eyes alone were clearly visible through the
s,mi-jarkness-and the light which shone
from their depths was the light of fear.
Yes" he answered slowly, Il believe
that I recognized him. 1t was the young
man who persists in some strange hallu-
CITATION as to a certain Mademoiselle Vio-
let
1T was no hallucination." she answered.
"You know that l was Mademoiselle
Violet"
Iic nodded.
1T amazes me-" he said thoughtfully,
chat you should have stopped to such
folly. That my demise would have been a
relief to you l can. Of course. easily be-
l!cve. but the means-they surely were not
worthy Of your ingenuity
DON'T" she cried sharply. II must have
been utterly. miserably mad!'
Even the greatest of schemers have their
wild moments" he remarked consolingly.
This was one Of yours. You paid me
very poor compliment, by the bye, to mag
I'M that an Insignificant creature like
''WiI you-Icave off," she moaned.
Il dare say" he continued after mo-
ucuts pause. that you find him now
ION. | am paying for my folly. if that
is what you mean" she declaSed. He
kuows-who l am-that he was deceived.
He follows me neutrality-suspicious.
Winerave glanced out of the carriage
window.
Unless l am very much surprised" he
answered "he is following us now!,
She came little closer to him.
''You won't leave me? Promise
Il will see you home, ne answered
You are coming on to Hereford House "
u think not he answered; Il have had
enough of society for one evening"
Emily viii be there later" she said
quietly.
Even Lady Emily" he answered. will
not tempt me. | will you safely inside.
Af.erward, If your persistent follower IS
hanging about, l will endeavor to talk him
into a more reasonable frame of mind"
She was silent for a moment. Then she
turned TO him abruptly.
You are more kind to me sometimes
fhan | deserve. Wingrave," she remarked.
1t is not Kindness" he answered. Il
dislike absurd situations. Here we are.
Permit me-
Wingrave kept his word He saw Lady
Ruth to her front door. and then turned
back toward his carriage Standing by the
h ggard and dishevelled-looking. was the
yoang man who had attempted to check
their progress few minutes ago.
Wugrave took hold of his arm firmly.
VT III b4LC4Cg III OACIA' N fO4AiNiHS ~ 'iAN
carriage.
The young man tried to escape, but he
was held as though in wise. Before he
well knew where he was. he was in the car
riagc. and Wingrave was seated by his
side.
What do you want with me-" he asked
loarsely.
Il want to know what you mean by fol-
lowing that lady about?' Wingrave asked
The young man leaned forward. His
hand was upon the door.
Let me get out" he said sullenly.
with pleasure-presently," Wingrave
answered. Il can assure you that am not
ANXIOUS TO detain you longer than neces-
sary. Only you must first answer my aues-
ton.
Il want to speak to her! 1 shall follow
her about until l cam the young man de-
clared.
Wmgrave.glan at him with faint de-
risve smile. His clothes were worn and
shabby ne badly in need of shave
and wash. He sat hunched up in cor
ner of the carriage. the picture of mute dis
comfort and misery.
asked.
''Mademoisele violet.' the young man
answered.
You are mistaken" Wingrave answered.
Iumley Darlington and daughter of the
Earl of Haselton.
The young man was unmoved.
''She is Mademoiselle Violet" he de-
clared.
The coupe drew up before the great
block of buildings in which was Win
graves fiat. The footman threw open the
door,
Come In with me-" Wngrave said II
have something more to say to you
II would rather not" the young MAI.
muttered, and would have slouched off,
but Wingrave caught him by the am.
Come" he said firmly, and the youth
obeyed
Wingrave led the way into his sitting
ROOM and dismissed his servant. who was
setting out a tray upon the sideboard
sit down., he ordered, and his strange
guest again obeyed Wingrave looked at
him critically. 4
1T seems to me-" he said deliberately.
that you are another of those poor fools.
who chuck away their life and happiness
and go TO the dogs. because a woman had
chosen to make a little use OF them.
You're out of work. i suppose"
Yes"
Hungry"
Il suppose So
Wingrave brought plate of sandwiches
from the sideboard. and mixed whisky
and soda He set them down in front OF
his guest. and turned away with the
evening paper in his hand.
Il am going into the next room for
some cigarettes" he remarked.
He was gone scarcely two minutes.
When he returned the room was in dark
ness He moved suddenly toward the cleo
trio lights, but was pushed back by an
unseen hand. mans hot breath fell
upon his cheek, a hoarse. raspng voice
spoke to him out of the black shadows
Don't touch the lights, Don't touch the
lights. say"
What folly is this? Wingrave asked
angriIy. Are you mad?"
Not now" came the quick answer. Il
have been. 1t has come to me here in
the darkness. i know why she is angry.
! know why she will not speak to me. 1t
is-beCause | failed
Wingrave laughed. and moved towards
the lights.
We have had enough of this tomfool-
cry" he said scornfully. If you won't
listen to reason-
He never finished his sentence. He
had stumbled suddenly against a soft
body. he had a momentary impression of a
white, vicious face. of eyes blazing with
insane fury. Quick to act. he struck-but
before his hand descended he had felt
the tearing of his shirt, the sharp. keen
pain in his chest, the swimming of his
senses. Yet even then he struck again
with passionate anger and his .assail
ant went down among the chairs with
dull sickening crash,
Then there was silence in the room
Wingrave made an effort to drag himself
n yard or two toward the bell. ut col
lapsed hopelessly. Richardson in q few
moments. staggered to his feet.
He CROPPED his way to the side of the
h. Of,