Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-07

realization She saw again the studio and
the broad face of the true Mary Hadding
and she shivered while she was responding
lightly to her aunt's desultory questions
about her voyage and her trip from Ne"
York
She had been correctly chaperoned by
the Kennetts, friends of Mrs. Writings, to
whom a letter had introduced her In Parls.
She would not have cared to say now siao
she had been to escape at the depot from
the ceaseless espionage of Mrs. Kenneth, OF
to have confessed how miserably they had
multiplied the difficulties Of her adventure.
Mary Lang had never been chaperoned IN
her life before, and she thought OF Mrs.
Kennett's eyeglasses and her crisp false
curls with a shudder. For Mrs kennett'
with the keenness of her kind. had recog-
nized the Bohemian atmosphere ABOUT the
girl and had tracked her with untiring IN
terest, expecting to catch her In some IN
discretion before the voyage was over. But
indiscretions of the sort that MRS. kennett
looked for were not among Mary 1aiilngs'
and the only result of the older woman s
zeal was that they parted with ill-concealed
dislike Mary had made an enemy. which
she could not afford to do. and Mrs. Ken
nett had earned the girls contempt
The advent of the niece broke up the
game of bridge and Mrs Writings guests
rose one by one to take their leave.
Madame Syrene had been engaged In max
ing some calculations on little ivory tao-
let suspended by a chain from ner neck;
Madame Whiting owes me $3.50" she
announced sweetly. taking the cigarette
from between her teeth to speak
II don't think I have that much left IN
money. but I'll give you my check. Mrs.
whiting replied calmly. exploring the re-
cesses Of a gold monogramed purse.
Mrs Cheever held out her hand to Mary
Lang She had soft gray eyes, shaded Dy
black lashes. and the droop OF her lips
was pathetic.
II hope you'll come to see me. Miss Had
ding" she said cordially: I'm always at
home Thursdays after five.
1t was Mary's first invitation ana the
cordially of it pleased her
ut will give me the greatest pleasure.
she said sincerely, but moment later she
answered similar invitations rom Madame
Syrene and Mrs. Lane with Indifference.
The foreigner gave her al long look from
under her dropping lids and smiled lux
uriously Personally she disliked her own
did not underestimate the newcomer;
women are keen appraisers
When they were all gone. Mrs Whiting
resumed her seat by the vacant card table
ly. You are not in the least like the
family" she vouchsafed at last.
Mary flushed. THAT Is my misfortune. I
suppose" she said hastily.
On the contrary should aS cal IT spe,
coolly: your father had a Dubious nose
and saunted. I never saw your mother,
but no one ever called her beautiful"
Mary was discreetly silent: her recolec-
ton Of May Hadding's features was keen
and amusing in the light Of these revela-
lions.
How old are you?" inquired her adopted
aunt raising her lorgnon.
Mary tried to think clearly; was 1t
twenty-seven or twenty-eight? Nothing is
more embarrassing than to have another
PERSONS age fosted upon you. Il am not
quite twenty-eight." she said at last
You look younger with that brim to your
hat, but your manner Is mature. Can you
speak French?'
The girl smiled involuntarily; then she re-
membered that May Hadding had only been
six months in Paris and spoke peculiar
targon that maddened the concierge OF the
pension IT can speak 1t quite well. she
said cautiously. land also a little Italian
and German"
Mrs Writings eyebrows went up. II
didn't know that Joseph mad given you any
advantages"
II acquire quickly" said Mary demurely.
Are you entangied in any silly love at
fairs?"
The girl colored again: she resented the
inquisition and yet 1t amused her. do you
think 1 should call love affair silly If
were entangled?" she countered archly.
Mrs. Whiting raised her lorgnon and
gave her another comprehensive stare. De-
cidedly her niece was attractive; the elu-
sive charm of her face and her smile were
banning TO the eiueT WoHidn nearu
you were great deal about the converts
in Paris" she went on. dropping the love
affair: ARE you a Romanist?"
| Mary looked thoughtfuly into the fire.
1T do not know" she replied.
The truth was that no one but the nuns
and one old priest had ever shown any in
terest in her spiritual condition. The
Protestant clergy are not intimately given
to looking for converts among the poor and
the isolated: their attitude is apt to be i'm
personal unless q pew Is rented.
Mrs. Whiting smiled; she was a keen old
woman your religion will not interfere
with your social development 1 suspect"
she said indifferenHy: lis your hair natural
or is 1t dyed?"
Dye of this tint would be altogether too
expensive for me- Mary replied with
amusement; at grows
Mrs Whiting leaned forward. "How