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

to be found again provokingly popping up
everywhere; on the gangway, on the docks
one were not to be thrust together with
them into the same railway carriage. all to
arrive In London hating each other
heartily!
M. de Mariol, without appearing to do So
had scanned narrowly the outgoing crowd
from the steamer No trace had appeared
Clandonald's former wife. suggestion
occurring to him that the exclusive Ruby
had been last heard of in America, and
was, probably returning under an alias
made the search In the passenger lists a flu
tile one. Whatever were the facts In the
history Of this obnoxious and insufferable
woman HE he must nus give her up for the present
to believe that some one else had thrown
suspicion upon her, In order to cover
low attack upon Miss Winstaney and Clan
donald.
AS he and Miss Carstairs started a little
later to walk together up the inclined plane
leading to the Euston special. they beheld
in the street. Mr.. and Miss Winstanley
getting into a four-wheeler laden with
archaic trunks, from the window of which
Posey waved to them a sober last good
bye.
At the same moment they were asked to
step aside to give place to an invalid chair
containing Mr.. Vereker. greenish-gray OF
complexion. scowling at all the world and
escorted by his nurse and doctor. No
vestige remained of the ELUSIVE host, the
ladies' gallant, the purveyor of choicest
scandal from the clubs! His wife and
valet, with Mr.. Charley Brownlow and
train of servants and porters, brought up
the rear of the cortege, pressing impor-
family forward to reach their private car.
Miss Blocker, whose soul always melted
tenderly to the sorrows of the rich, could
not lose this opportunity. Stepping up
briskly. she proffered her coincidence to
the suffering magnate, to be repealed by a
savage gesture and a snarl of annoyance
at being spoken to. that caused the irate
lady to retire in crimson confusion.
She was the more perturbed by the In
cident. because not only did her dear
friend Mrs. vereker decline to make
amends for her husbands ill-manners. but
she murmured audibly to Mr.. Brownlow
that Sally Blocker never did know how
to stay in the back row. Additionally.
the chaperon's discontinue was increased
by the appearance of Lord and Lady
Channel Fleet, who iwth their depressed
maid hugging a jewel case containing the
well-known turquoises. were Fastening
away to the joys of home and their native
land. Lady Channel Fleet enjoyed the
little scene. She had just whispered to
her husband that she'd be thankful to
get to their own house, where at last they
wouldn't see Americans or hear them talk.
The next acquaintance to pass by Mariol
and Miss Carstairs was Prince ZourilSoff.
who. from between two porters carrying
some Aztec images he had secured In Mex
lea, gave them an distracted nod to sup
plement his polite farewell achieved on
board. Dear old Graf Won Bau was al
ready in the embraces of his loving spouse
and two gigantic daughters. who were
kissing him violently upon both checks.
and, attended by secretary, governess
and maid, had come over from Berlin to
meet and reclaim their wanderer.
Thus vanish Miss Winstanley and her
little court"' said Mariol in Miss Carstars'
ear. 1T is true, Bobby Vane chung to her
till forcibly taken possession of by his elder
brother, whom the Kenningtons sent down
to fetch him safely hcme. The lad was
sufficiently hard hit, and if the young lady
been q m En- iSb
alliance of rank, she might have secured
him-to the disgust of the Kenningtons.
of course, since Bobby has nothing, and
the Winstanleys are evidently in modest
circumstances"
Il believe I can surprise you there"
said Helen. las we are all scattering. it
can make no difference to any one--cer-
tainly on this side of the globe" she add
ed with a faint sigh.
II like an apres coup. Please tell me-"
answered he, smiling.
First, tell me something. If you like.
that is, If not. let 1t go. From what you
have observed. does 1t strike you that a
friend of Miss Winstanley's would be just-
fed in thinking that Lord Clandonald has
fallen in love with her?'
Lord Clandonald left the ship without
making any arrangement for future
meeting with the young lady" said Mariol.
automatically. And to my best knowl-
edge. there is likelihood of his seeing
her. unless by chance
Helen drew a long breath, but not one
of relief.
Because" she went on, "her good old
father came yesterday to thank me for
some imagined kindness to his daughter.
and, in the course of conversation told
me that he had recently become the own
er of large-very large-fortune, but In
his desire to protect her from interested
suitors, had determined to keep the knowI-
edge of 1t from her He asked my advice
as to the wisdom of the step, poor soul,
l told him that had had some experience
of paternal mismanagement in this regard
IN the case OF friend of mine-and that
l thought Posey ought certainly to know"
Il agree with you" commented MarIol
astonshed, and, for Clandonald's sake, Just
a tiny bit depressed. What a difference
1t woulu have made on board, had Ii been
suspected that our social sovereign was
possessed of a golden foundation for her
throne. And since you have mentioned my
friend Clandonald's fancy for the young
lady"
1T was rather unfair for me not to have
told you at once" interrupted Miss Car
such fancy on his part for Mr.. Winstan-
leys heiress. or of her for him, would have
produced disastrous results I'm America"
'She is. then" began Mariol. trying to
keep the vexation from his voice.
Mr.. Winstanley said that he thought IT
best for any one interested In his daughter
that there should be no concealment of her
engagement to marry a man whom she uas
long known-of whom he thoroughly ap-
proves and that his daughter was willing
to have it known. man whom such a
marriage Will help In the best way, since
when they became engage he knew moth
ing whatever, nor does he now, of her i'm
proved fortunes"
Lucky fellow said Mariol, swallowing
a grimace. But | rust own to .-0u that
the circumstance robs the fair Posey of
good deal of her interest in my eyes You.
Miss Carstairs, far removed from
their estate of happy barbarism you are so
broad, so far-seeing, you won't object to
my suggesting that the image of Miss Win
stanleys mate chosen from among, her
friends of early years does not allure me.
He is, in fact, total extinguisher of my
desire to meet her after she shall have be
come his wife. Now. own that you your
self have a shudder of mild distaste when
you think of what he must bei''
ION the contrary" said Miss Carstairs.
distinctly, II have the pleasure of knowing
Miss Winstanleys iance and l consider
him not only one of the most manly men,
but the truest gentleman in the circle of
my acquaintance.
Helen, here is a compartment that will
just hold you and me and Eulalie. COM
fortably, and we will tip the guard to let
us have 1t to ourselves" came In MSS
Bieecker's penetrating tones Goodbye,
NJ ia kariol shall ALWAYS remember