Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
CHAPTER VIII.
In the Tolls


the weary air of man who has been in
dulging in Improbable memories.
"Aynesworth." he said, be so good as
to ring up Walters and excuse me from
dining with him tonight"
Aynesworth nodded
Amy particular form Of excuse?" he
asked.
mol Say that 1 have an unavoidable
enga cement. I will see him tomorrow morn
ing
Anything else?" Aynesworth asked. pre-
pairing to leave the room.
NO! You might see that I have no
VS. this evening. Lady Ruth is COM
Lady Ruth Is coming here" Aynesworth
Yes
Aynesworth shrugged his shoulders, but
made no remark. He turned toward the
door. but Wingrave called him back
Your expression, Aynesworth," he said
interests me. Am I or the lady In ques-
ton responsible for it?''
Il am sorry for Lady Ruth" Aynes-
worth said. Il think that 1 am sorry too
for her husband"
will"
"There are different methods Of COM
pulsion." Aynesworth answered. -
Wingrave regarded him thoughtfully.
That he said 'is true But I still do
not understand why you are sorry for her."
L
history Of certain event ano, know YOU
1t is, suppose. for this end that you made
use OF them"
Wingrave nodded.
Quite right" he declared "I think that
the time is not far Off when that dear lady
and l can cry quits. This time. too 1 see
nothing to impair my satisfaction at the
probable finale. In various other cases as
you might remember, have not been en-
urely successful"
IT depends" Aynesworth remarked
dryly. upon what you term success"
W1ngrave shrugged his shoulders
Il think" he said coldly. that you are
aware Of what my feelings and desired
course Of action have been. with regard to
have happened to come in contact 1t
seems to me that have been a trife un-
fortunate in several instances"
"a, "As for instanee7" Aynesworth asked.
Wingraye continued. there was the
child down at Tredowen, whom you
were 30 anxious for me ia befriend
OF course. declined to do anything of the
gone to some choritable institution,
founded and supported by fools, and event.
ually become. perhaps. domestic servant.
Instead Of which. some relation Of her IA
Their turns UP and provides for her lavishly.
You must admit that that was unfortuI'
nate"
1T depends upon the point of view"
Aynesworth remarked drily. PERSONALLY.
considered it a most fortunate occur.
renee"
Naturally" Wingrave agreed. But then
you are sentimentalist. You like to see
people happy. and you would even help to
make them SO. II you could without any
personal Inconvenience. I am at the other
pole II could collect humanity into one
sentient force. l would set my heel upon 1t
without hesitation try to do what can
with the atoms. but I have not the best of
fortune: There was Mrs. Travers. now!
There I should have been successful be-
yond doubt, If some busybody hadn't
sent that cable to her husband I wonder If
you were idiot enough to do that Aynes-
WORTH
IF had thought of the Maronigram."
Aynesworth said. Il am sure l should have
done it. But as matter of fact, I did
not"
Just as well, so far as our relations are
concerned" Wingrave said coldly II did
manage to make poor men Of a few brokers
In New York. but my best coup went
brains out. believe, If some meddling idiot
hadn't found him all that money at the last
moment. have had few smaller sue
cesses, of course, and there is this AFFAIR Of
Lady Ruth and her estimable husband You
know that he came to borrow money Of me.
l suppose?'
II guessed It," Aynesworth answered
you should be modern in your revenge
and lend 1t to him."
Wingrave smiled coldly.
II fancy" he said. that Lumley Bar
rington VIII find my revenge modern
but 1t will be to Lady Ruth! l told her
husband so few minutes ago 1 told him
to send his wife to me. He has gone to tell
her noW!"
II wonder" Aynesworth remarked. "tbat
he did not thrash you-or try to-
Again Wingrave's lips parted
Moral deterioration has set in already"
ne remarked When he pays his bills
has left Of his self-respect'
Aynesworth turned abruptly away. He
was strongly tempted to say things which
would. have have ended his connection with
Wingrave. and as yet he was not ready to
leave. For the sake of a depression. he
took up check book from the table.
There are three checks" he remarked.
sand pounds. another for five. and third
for thousand pounds. What account
shall l put them to?"
Private drawing account" wingrave an
swered. They represent a small speclIla-
ton. BY the bye. you'd better go and ring
up Walters
"Do you wish the particulars entered in
your sundry investment book" Agnes
worth asked
Wingrave smiled grimly.
Il think not, he answered You can
put them to drawing account. If you want
me again o TINS evening. l shall dine at the
here at five minutes to O."
Ludy Ruth was punctual. At a few min
utes past 8, Morrison announced that a lady
had called to see Mr.. Wingrave by appoint
ment.
You can show her In" Wingrave said
See that we are not disturbed"
Lady Ruth was scarcely herself She was
dressed In a high-necked muslin gown, and
she wore hat and veil, which somewhat
obscured her features. The latter she rails
ed. however she accepted the chair
which Wingrave had placed for her. He
saw then that she was pale, and her man
ner betrayed an altogether unfamiliar ner-
yousness. She avoided his eyes.
Ibid you expect me?" she asked
"Yes!' he answered, IT thought that you
would come"
Her foot, long and slender. beat impa-
tiently upon the ground. She looked up
at him once, but Immediately withdrew her
eyes.
why did you bring me here?" she asked
in low tone.
My dear Lady Ruth" he protested.
IF YOU want to plaY at hAine friend. 20