Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-03
CHAPTER XVII-Continued.

49,
care of mother.
The two or three days that followed the
chocolate incident saw marked improve
ment in Eva. All the disquieting symp-
toms left her; her spirits revived, and
her strength returned.
The inference was obvious.
The chocolates had been left to do their
work alone and the means. whatever they
were. which had been adopted before had
been discontinued
Sadie had taken the box back TO her.
and by little strategy had induced Eva
10 write on the box My very own; from
Bertram," and to show it to him with the
assurance that she would eat none but
those he had given her, and that no one
else, except himself. should have any.
But his taste for chocolates had passed
away. he said.
Another change was showing in him too
"a genuine one. He was growing very
weary of the make-beieve of affection.
AS Eva gained in strength he lost IN
temper. And Sadie did her utmost TO
make him uncomfortable.
Now that she courted recognition IN
stead of shrinking from it. she never al
lowed the two to be alone together. TO
please Eva he had begun by pressing Sa-
die to accompany them in their walks ana
rides, and now she accepted every time.
With one stroke she closed the chief
topic of his conversation. They were dis
cussing the mining districts of Montana.
and she gave q description OF her OLD
home and said that among her chief
friends there had been-her parents and
herself.
From that moment he never mentioned
America again. Sadie did, freely enough,
however; and he would either remain
moodily silent or hasten to change the
subject His attentions to Eva began
to wane quickly. and he grew positively
to hate Sadie and to dislike being In her
presence.
The two outings a day dropped down
to one; the morning visit to her room was
discontinued: and before a week had
passed there came a day when he did not
go near her room until late in the even
ng-and then he was in drink.
Eva could not at first believe it.
you are ill., Bertram. You must have
taken a chilli in the park yesterday she
said. Your hand is so hot and your face
flushed as though with fever. You have
feverish cold
He stumbled as he sat down. and his
coughed. I'm all right. It's a touch of
inf-of inf-of influe," he ansyered with
vacuous smile.
'Influenza' is an awkward word to say
when the tongue is a little tied; not much
easier than British constitution; and
he made a mess of 1t. I'm all right" he
repeated. rolling his tongue about his lips
as men do at such times. Perfectly all
right How are your
Ever so much better she said
brightly.
He looked about him and his eyes fell
on the purple chocolate box. What,
haven't you finished these cho-choc--
these sweets yet? Take one now and he
picked one out, fumbling it clumsily: and
held it to her.
She took it and thanked him with a
smile; and he watched her eat it and
then wagged his head and passed his
hand across his forehead stupidity. How
many of those things do you eat in day,
Eva?" he asked, jumbling his words to-
gether. The warm room was rapidly
making him worse
Il am sure 1 don't know. Why do you
ask?' she laughed.
Cant be curious as we'll as any wom-
an? Only curiosity" he answered with
beary smile.
''How many do I eat. Margaret?'
''roo many, Eva, think. You've nearly
emptied that box this week
Lord Broadstone started and stared at
Eva in amazement, as if graphing with
a problem beyond his understanding
That is a lot he declared after mo-
ment, with the contentious deliberateness
of intoxicatiou.
Conversation failed him then and he
sat smiling fatuously. Eva was begin
Ming to understand now. Presently he
rose and went across to Sadie, who was
at needlework. "Ah. indus" industri-
Gus was too much for him. so he substi-
tuleu- pussy, l. see, lie IT1SU
twice at her name and then gave it up.
What is that you're doins?"
1t is some embroidery in colored silks.
Sadie held it up and he took it and look
ed at it gravely. You ought to recog-
nize it, she said.
II DON'T" he answered, with wag Of
the head.
Its the arms of the state of Montana
had the pattern from my friend, Sadie
Crockett of Helena years ago
10 nd cav 4nly tn hnr hos
THY. Il beg your pardon" he muttered,
as he fumbled his way back, upsetting a
chair in his passage.
Eva rose. Hadn't you better so 10 bed,
Bertram?'
Go to bed? What do you mean. Eva?"
He looked round at her with the chair in
his hand which he had picked up. Then
he laughed. Am / a naughty boy to be
sent to bed? Go to bed, indeed: about 8
O'Clock Go to bed" He mumbled the
words several times and then squared his
shoulders angrily and said with drunken
earnestness: Why should l go to bed?"
Sadie coughed suggestively with inten-
tiOnal prOVOcatiOn.
He turned on her at once. What do
you mean by coughing like that? If you
mean anything, say it. Don't cough"
and he initiated her cough. Speak out.
Don't be sly. l hate slyness."
You are not well, Bertram; and | am
sorry to see it-after your PROMISE" said
Eva, Jelly.
Not -pouf-fiddlesticks. Seems to
me you're both in league against me, One
with your go to bed and the other with
your cough. Might be a kid again-to he
hectored about by couple of women.
Look here. YOU mind your own business"
lie said to Sadie very angriy. Don't
make mischief between husband and wife
! hate slyness. Yes I do. And you're
sly; that's what you are.
Sadie put her work together and rose.
Shall ] go. dear?'
Yes, YOU better go, dear" inter
jected his lordship. Anger had helped the
fumes of the whisky. and now he could
scarcely speak articulately.
mo. Margaret: don't leave me, please"
declared Eva. Are you going. Bertram
or do you wish to drive me out of my
own room?"
''You mean YOU want to drive me out,
Ell? All right. Nice return for all my
kindness. Jolly nice. Beastly ingratitude
I call it,.
We'll both go. Margaret. Come, dear"
Lord Broadstone got up and lurched
toward the door. "Oh. I'll go. Nothing
if not accommodating At the door he
turned. And you're my wife. are you
and that's your friend Ell? And you
put her above your husband-your friend
with cough?" He initiated it again,
and in the effort lurched and nearly fell
"A pretty way to treat your husband,
hang 1pe if 1T isn't. A pretty way to
treat your husband, / say!' he cried.
raising his voice.
Eva rang the bell I'll send for Rob-