Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-02
CHAPTER XVI-Continued.

CHAPTER XVI-Continued.
The temptation to open the parcel was
almost irresistible. To know the exact
relations between them would have been
worth any amount of money and trouble
| and here was probably clue in her very
fingers. She had but to open the parcel
She turned into the library and paced
| up and down the room in a fever of indie
cison. seeking everywhere a justification
for yielding to the impulse But women
who hesitate do not always lose, and
she fought down the temptation. One lit
tie concession to it she could not. resist
| however.
Turning the parcel over. she saw that
the wrapper had been slightly torn. She
made the opening a little wider-wide
enough for her to guess the contents. Ii
was a purple cardboard box, and proba-
bly, contained chocolates: and. thrustine
her little finger in the hole. she made a
slight scratch. which would enable her
to recognize it again.
| Why was Gilbert Dorrison sending
chocolates to Lord Broadstone?
The only answer which she could f1nd
| to the question was one which sent a
| chill through her blood. and set her
| racking her wits more strenuously than
| ever to find the means of getting Eva
away from the Towers without disclosing
| to her that she was not Lord Broadstone' S
wife
| To tell her that and all that it meant
to the little one whose coming had alone
revived her desire to live would he to
strike a blow from the cruelty of which
Sadie Shrank.
Yet without telling her secret she could
see nothing but checkmate. To accuse
Broadstone Of attempting Eva's life was
impossible; she had no proof. To deal
with Dorrison was equally futile.
She thought once of telling Broadstone
privately who she was and promising to
keep silence if he parted from Eva But
there was Dorrison. While he believed
that Eva was not legally married he
would certainly take means to tell her so
and thus nothing would be gained.
Do something she must. however. and
at length she started off for the village.
resolved to put DIR. Bradford on his guard
and urge him TO advise that Eva should
leave home with her for a time. But the
doctor was away and would not be back
for some days, and a stranger was look
ing after his practice.
She was passing the chemist shop
when thought occurred to her. The
chemist sold many things besides drugs,
among them chocolates. She bought a
number of boxes. examining the differ
ent shapes of the sweets carefully and
getting a box Of each.
The chemist, whose name was Gregory.
knew her well. He was postmaster among
other things. and she had often been
there to send kilograms and post impor-
tant letters
You have sweet tooth. Miss Hutch
inSon-tWo or three, in fact" he said.
with a grin.
II like to have a supply by me-
,an 7 I,nv, IN on
mo. thank you: I'll take them
How is her ladyship? She drove past
this morning with his lordship, and l
thought she still looked pale
"She is much better than she was, Mr..
Gregory"
DIR. Bradford told me you had nursed
her NEST carefully. He spoke in very
high terms of you, Miss Hutchinson.
But he tells me that it was the news of
the heir that is to be that pulled her
Petherby's death. What a sad affair that
was, and how bravely Mr.. Dorrison act
ed What a splendid man he is! And
SO genial. You're sure you'll take these :?
Eleven and siXpence, thank you. ] never
sold so many sweets at time in my life.
But there, I don't cotton to them myself
But we haven't all the same tastes. have
We? Good-day. Thank you again..
Eva returned from her outing very tired
and the next morning stayed late in bed,
complaining of a sick headache. Broad
stone came up to see her while Sadie was
in the room: she had remained purpose
". AS usual. he was laden with pres
entS: handsome diamond brooch. a sill
yer date pad for memoranda: a gold hold
err for an eau-de-co!ogne bottle: a beau
ttiful bouquet of orchids; big box OF
cut flowers. and a box Of chOcolates-a
purple box.
The presents frightened Eva up. and
She examined them all with smiles OF
childish pleasure. You are really good
to me, Bertram-too good. You seem to
guess somehow just what will please me
most What lot of time you must
spend thinking out these surprises. 1
never know what to expect"
The flowers are from Dorrison. Eva"
see. But"-he stopped and frowned. and
then. as if recollecting himself. smiled.
and added-"yes. really thoughtful
lis he coming back soon to Broad
stone?'
Not if you don't wish it." He was nerv-
Gus and III at ease in re ferrng to him.
and Sadie noticed it.
"Just as you like. Bertram. After all
your kindness. it would be churlish of me
to refuse you anything"
ooh, I'm not keen on it. I've something
else to occupy me now
and what's this?' cried Eva. taking
up the chocolates after she had scr,iti-
nized the rest of the presents
ON. that $ nOtnlng-Oniy a box of .ChOc-
olates," he answered indifferently
But it shows you know my weakness.
Bertram."
81 saw you had none so I got this.
That's all
1T proves you were thinking of me
and that's great DEAL" said Eva
"Where did you get them?"
IT sent Robertson for them yesterday to
old Gregory's But I'll get some down
from town. You can just keep these by
you till they COME
open the box for me. Margaret, dear.
will you?"
Sadie took the box and saw that Lord
Broadstone was watching her closely II
should not eat them so early In the day,
Eva she said.
II must have one. for the sake of the
giver. Just one
Then it must be a very little one I'll
pick out the smallest l can find. What
say you.srny lord?'
Il shouldn't take one at all. If you think
it will disagree with you, Eva" he said,
his voice little strained
Just one" she pleaded.
THE tiniest, weeniest one ] can find
then" declared Sadie. playfully. They
look delicious in their staid and stately
robes she TESTED with a merry laugh.
holding the box out as if to admire il.
THE emperors of all sweets fully CARRIED
| in the imperial purple
/ She was looking for the little scratch
which she had made on the previous day
and soon found it. But no one would
have guessed she had any but the light
| est of frivolous purposes.