Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-30


every family OF note in the neighborhood,
and a few people came from a consid-
&rable distance to leave their cards.
: Among those who came from afar to
pay court at Watersmeet was Sir Henry
Gaunt. He had once met Mr.. LAM
pirthy over a business deal. and had
every reason to regret the meeting: but
ne made this an excuse for calling and
asking Mrs. Lampirthy to lunch.
The invitation was accepted. and Sibyl.
who had been out riding in the park
when Sir Henry and Lady Gaunt had
made their call. accompanied her mother
to Gaunt Royal.
The child's entrance into the drawing
room created something of a sensation.
She wore a simple muslin dress. and her
large white hat was tied down with
flowing motor veil. Her small face. rosy
with the rush of the air against her
of white lawn and golden hair. She was
one of the most beautiful children in
England. and unfortunately she knew ii.
Mrs. Lampirthy was not surprised when
she saw the look Of amaZement on the
face of her hostess as the latter shook
hands with the little etrl. She was ac-
customed to this tribute of admiration
Wherever little Sibyl Lampirthy went she
attracted attention.
why. Harry cried Lady Gaunt to
her husband. did you ever see such a
likeness? It's absurd
Sir Henry Gaunt nodded. He was not
listening and did not understand He
was wondering who would be fortunate
enough to capture this prize in a few
years time. Mrs. Lampirthy stared In
quiringly at her hostess.
She's the very image" said Lady
Gaunt. II must show you the picture
gallery. We call it that. but it's nothing
but a passage. with windows down one
side. Come with me. dear. I'll show
you the picture you've stepped out of.
They entered the long gallery and
her hands with delight and earned look
of reproof from her mother. Sir Henry
Gaunt smiled approvingly as though he
were responsible for the whole surprise.
Lady Gaunt pointed to gilt tablet
name Of Gladys Gaunt-" Mrs. Lam
pirthy looked from the picture to her
daughter and then back again to the
picture. The resemblance was certainly
extraordinary. but the advantage was all
on the side of the living child
What an odd coincidence" said Mrs.
Lampirthy, with a smile. But what a
shame to dress the poor child like that.
SHE would have BEEN" said Sir Henry.
gravely. 'if she had lived. But she died
before she was twenty-one."
Mrs. Lampirthy shuddered and she took
hold of Sibyls arm. The child was ex-
cited at seeing herself in a sort of fancy
costume and chartered volubly. Then the
tones Of gong vibrated through the
house and they all went in to lunch.
When the meal was over Lady Gaunt.
who had conceived a strong liking for
Sibyl. offered to take the child round the
grounds and along the edge of the cliff.
Mrs. Lampirthy had no desire for such
violent and unnecessary exercise, and she
preferred to endure the studied and pre-
else conversation of Sir Henry, finding
compensation in the softness Of an arm
chair
Sir Henry. being a man of no tact,
started lengthy disquisition on the an
tiauity Of his family and the part they
had played in the making of history.
Mrs. Lampirthy reposed quietly in her
seat. and tried to take an interest In a
certain Sir Richard Gaunt. who had done
something or other in the middle ages.
The mans voice seemed to hum on like a
sional words. "a chief embattled. party
per pale argent and azure HE won
his spurs at Poiotiers:" My brother
you know. poor chap. The Santigan
was lost with all hands'-and so on. until
the droning ceased, and looking up she
saw Sir Henry Gaunt standing before her
with faded photograph in his hands.
That's poor Dick he said, in a tone
of dignified sorrow, las good a chap as
ever there was
Mrs. Lampirthy reused herself to con-
temptation of the ancient photograph
which was thrust into her hands. She
was not pleased at the interruption. Sir
Henry's conversation only required an &C.
casional Yes or mo" to keep 1t flowing
at rate which obviated all necessity
for comment. But here was something
tangible and concrete. something that re-
quired a remark showing, an intelligent
interest in the photograph.
She stared at the portrait. yellow with
age, and the name of the photographed
who had taken 1t. She knew the face,
but she could not understand why 1t was
Hnfn hnr~ xx-1ax
it had flashed out of the darkness of if
teen years. Her small pretty face grew
old and haggard, and her hands trem-
bled. She knew that she had to say
something, and she did not know what to
Yes" she muttered. feebly: ''oh, yes,
of course
Sir Henry Gaunt, full Of the greatness
of his family. did not notice her confu-
sion. He was. fortunately. fond of re-
peatins himself, in order to emphasize
the value of his statements.
''Sir Richard Gaunt." he said. proudly,
''as good a chap as ever there was. The
wreck Of the Santigan-you remember It,
cestors before him. We have none of us
ever been afraid to face DEATH
Mrs. Lampirthy collected her thoughts
and gazed at the portrait. as though ii
man. whoever he was. was dead. That
much was certain. Yet there was good
deal that she wished to learn about him.
Your brother?' she said with a look
of sympathy. How sad! Oh. yes, OF
course, l remember the wreck of the
santigan. But this is an old portrait.
1t is SO faded"
1T was taken fourteen years ago." said
Sir Henry. solemnly. 1T is the last We
have of him. He couldn't bear beins
photographed. l often wish we had a
picture to place with the others of our
race"
"Oh. yes, what a pity you haven't,
said Mrs. Lampirthy. She was thinking
of the other picture which hung in the
long gallery. She understood why Sibyl
was so like the portrait Of Gladys Gaunt.
''Yes. that is poor Dick said Sir
Henry, taking the photograph from her
hands. "A good chap a bit wild. but
generous and high-spirited. l dare say,
Mrs. Lampirthy. you will hear ill of my
poor brother in these parts, but believe
me when I say that he had all the fight
ing spirit of our race"
1T is most interesting" said Mrs. Lam
pirthy. with an effort at well-bred indif-
ference. 1T must be great thing
to belong to a family which fought
where was it that Sir Richard Gaunt
fought-?'
"Poictiers," said Sir Henry. with a
smile. But there, Mrs Lampirthy. I've
bored you. I am an old fossil. I dare
say you've been laughing at me all the
time
"Laughing?" said Mrs. Lampirthy, with
a face so CHASTITY that it forbade any
thought of mirth. "Oh. no. Sir Henry.
I have been most interested. But where
is Sibyl? We ought to be making a
start. She has some children coming in
to tea"