Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-04

ring. Their tacit engagement was so
sudden. and their parting so complete
since that Observation-Disclosures night at
Plymouth that he now fancied, with a
certain humorous dismay, that Evelyn
might long have been anticipating the re-
ceipt of some such token. Well, she
should own ring that he could never
have afforded but for the kindly help of
dow marked ''D'Occasion-5.O0O frs 1t
contained three diamonds fit for queen s
diadem. He wondered whether or not,
under the circumstances. one should buy
secondhand ring Would Evelyn care
to wear an article. however valuable. that
had once belonged to another woman? At
any rate. the stones would require re-
setting. and he was not afraid of being
swindled in the purchase. because the
jeweler evidently regarded this special
bargain as a magnet to draw the eyes of
passerSby to his stock
Five minutes later the ring reposed in
| case In Warden's pocket, and he was
| making for the post office. But there was
no letter from Evelyn. There would have
been. were it not locked In Mrs. Laing S
writing case, and Warden was no wizard
that he should guess any such develop
ment in the bewildering tumult of events
that was even then gathering around him.
Nevertheless, the clerk gave him letter
from the colonial office-askng that he
should come to London with the least
possible delay.
Though gratifying to man eager for
recognition In his service, the incidence
of the request was annoying. At any
other time in his career he would have
left Ostend by the night mail. Now he
| resolved to wait until the morrows mid
day service, and thus secure Eveiyn's
missive before his departure. He read
between the lines of the brief official
message clearly enough. Affairs were
growing critical in West Africa. At best.
| his advice at worst. his immediate return
| to duty. was demanded. If the latter, by
hook or by crook he would contrive to
see Evelyn before he sailed for the south.
He telegraphed his change of plans to
| Evelyn, telling her to write to his fiat in
London. and asking her to wire saying
whether not letter was en- route to
Ostend. He bade Peter bring the Nancy
to Dover and there await orders. and
! then joined his friend.\ who was sympa-
thetic when he heard that Warden must
leave Ostend next day.
You'll miss the racing he said, land
! that Is a pity, because I know of one or
two good things that would have paid for
your holiday
| Warden laughed and recounted his be-
| fore-dinner experiences in the Casino.
| by gadr' cried the other II wish I'd
| been there know that German Johnny
| let me see. he has horse running to-
| morrow. Here is the proSram--third race
Baron Won Grobelsteins Black Mask.
Eth, what? Oh, that is the gee-gee's name
l rlgnt enough Dut IL HdSH du car tiiS.
| To cloak his amazement, Warden pre-
tended to be interested in the entries.
Black Mask was No IL on the card. He
could not help smiling.
II feel rather superstitious today" he
| said .'Will you back that horse for
me?
Certainly. dear boy. But You are
throwing your money away. It's a Jo-to-
| l shot
| II don't mind 1t is the Casinos money.
| anyhow
Very well. How much?'
| Warden's pocketbook, reduced some
what in bulk by the visit TO the teweler s,
| came in evidence again.
! Fifty louis" he said
My dear fellow, it's rank lunacy."