Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-05

OF sudden ] saw Melanie, neatly
dressed in black with a small black
toque, emerge from Nine. PERKINS, and
walk in my direction.
In an instant, 10 avoid recognition.
turned into Old Compton street, nearly
shocking over a poor old woman in my
haste.
Cunliffe had also seen her, and was
now hurrying up behind her in order not
TO lose sight of her. AS she came to
the corner where l had stood and
crossed the road toward Shaftcsbury
avenue, the fat foreigner approa ched
hat
She pulled up with start The
meeting was evidently unexpected. But
next moment they shook hands. and
after "A few words he walked on at her
side In earnest conversat ton.
By this time my friend had reached
the corner and ] was at his side.
That man Is an Italian, | exclaimed.
I've mad good look at him. He
seemed suspicious Of me-
.Iei.s follow. We may learn some
tnlhs' ne said and together we lounged
after the pair.
They turned into Shaftesburv avenue.
crossed The road and entered the private
par or the public house next the fire
! station, Immediately opposite the Pal
ace Theater.
NLuHi1Ht ioliONeH, Dut !
PEELED TO remain outside, fearing that
she might recognize me. ! longed to as
certain who was that fat prosperous.
bur vulgar. bull-necked foreigner HAY
ing rehla med there about a quarter
OF an hour, they left continuing up
Shaftesbury avenue. toward Tottenham
Court road.
They've been speaking in Italian
very confidentially." said cunliffe, as
ne ne reJoined me. Il don't understand
have overheard much of it. l took care
that they didn't see much of my face
tor | read the paper the whole time
lie gave her somethng-like piece of
a couple of bank notes At first she
declined TO take it. but he pressed it
upon her and she then Slipped il into
her glove"
"A bribe." exclaimed. What for
wonder? | wish We could determine
what is her name
Patience" he said reassurinsly-
thence, and We shall very soon discover
that. Her bearing is more that OF a
lady than an ironer-that's my belief =
he added.
Such was exactly my own opinion
Granny had nlisied me- This was the
real Lydia Popescu!
The pair walking before rs, conversing
earnestly, halted at the corner of oxford
street, because of the traffic, then crossed,
corner OF Rowland street. There she left
her companion at the corner, and hurry
ing along, entered one of the dismal uni
form houses by means of Il latch key.
We had evider thy traced her to her
abode.
The fat Italian had crossed the road
and entered a bar opposite-to await her.
With Cunliffe walking at some little dis
lance. | passed the house and it was
a very mean and shabby one, with win
dows dark excepting the one i'll the base
nent. The lace curtains hung limp and
sooty at the windows, and the whole place
bore that air of dirt and neglect too often
seen in the smoke-begrimed side streets of
middie-class London thoroughfares.
Apparently she had gone to her lodgings
in order to wash and smarter herself up,
for in about twenty minutes she came
forth in a well-made dark blue dress.
fashionable hat and red-anG- white gloves.
Indeed, the transformation was complete.
From the modest workgirl of the Soho
laundry she became a wel-dressed young
woman of refined appearance, yet with
ont any undue ostentation or air of fast
ness. Her clothes. indeed betrayed an