Evening star., 1909-06-20


never surprised to see them travelling without
their husbands" she continued as she rose from
the table.
Mary opened the door of her compartment in
answer to Mrs Haddon's knock. 4" beg your
pardon for thus disturbing vou. she heard an
unknown woman saying IN low modulated Eng
llsh tones; but noticed you did not come
out to dinner and feared YOU not aware
that there buffet the train"
Thank YOU; YOU are exceedingly kind.
thought should probably have only stop
for dinner on the way.
Then should advise YOU to go out at once.
else you will find the dining car closed. Cyril
will show YOU the way.
MARY could only vaguely discern tall
A'A masculine figure behind Mrs. Haddon in
husband of her benefactress dutifully doing her
bidding. Cnsuspectngy she followed her un-
known escort to the dining He preceded
her to a table and drew out her chair As she
turned to thank him, he was bending over the
other chair With the words, !" | may be of
service in transating your orders to the French
walters If you will pardon the liberty, he
calmly seated himself opposite her.
She barely suppressed a little exclamation
when she looked across the table and into the
brown eyes of the same determined looking,
dark Engshman who had already been
eager to befriend her a disturbing doubt that
she did not look natural in her maternal role
she had thought entered Mary's mind
interest IN her. If his attentions were not
wholly for the sake of the Baby, she decided
that he should be punished for his presumption
in thrusting his companionship upon her.
Moreover, she was put upon her mettle by
Captain Hamiltons temporary mastery of the
sltuatlon,-a Southern girl IS not used to hav
ing man outwit her.
Mary changed her first intention of attacking
Hamlltons self love through pretending not to
recognize him. Instead, she gave him guile
fully grateful look of recognition and said Il
am SO indebted to you for your kindness about
the matches! fear halted YOU in your prom
enade very unceremonously when asked YOU
for them abruptly. But Baby" on this
word Mary mischievously put most maternal
accent of pride, was crying so that scarcely
knew what said
Il assure YOU | only wish could have been
Of more service to YOU Hamilton answered,
delighted at the Madonna's graciousness.
Mary perceived this complacent satisfaction
with the course of events. Hence, she ruth
lessly proceeded to make him feel small
our wife was most kind to take much
trouble to tell about the dining car" she
said sweetly, looking at Hamilton with innocent
eyes. She had seen she talked to Mrs. Had
don in her doorway. that the Englishwoman
old enough to be the mother of this pre-
sumptuous young man.
HAMILTON fell at once from the heights with
a suddenness as disconcertng and unex-
pccted fall in ones sleep The lady
Mrs. Haddon-is-is-not my-my wife he
FASTENED to saw She is only friend of mine,'
he went on, crestfallen.
He looked courageously-a soldier must al
ways face danger-into Marv's eyes, trying to
assume an indifference and dignity that his
confused denial had shattered. Then he
little glInt1ng arrows of mischief gancing forth
from his vis-a-vis orbs. He felt as stuck full of
Saint Sebastian With the knowl-
edge, however. that Mary was laughing at his
wounds he regained his composure. If there
fighting to be done, Captain Hamiltons
training told him that there safety
IN offense than defense He therefore took
Mary off her guard by quick flank movement.
LAS have wife to demand my care, and
have gentleman to assist you, | hope
will not consider me intrusive for desiring
TO be of service to fellow traveller. We En-
glIsh and Americans must not forget that
are first cousins, YOU know, he finished.
HAMILTON had indeed taken Mary by sur
prise When she had pictured herself trav-
cling as young matron. she had not foreseen
handsome young men showing her chivalrc at
tentions. Mary never kept at disadvan-
tage very long, however. She felt that the
Engishman was really trying to discover
whether she was was not the Baby's mother,
and she decided hastily to punish him and pro-
tect herself by keeping her relations with her
little charge enigma. The Englishman would
never know the truth, she reasoned. Paris
would soon be reached, and she and he would
never meet again.
Thank YOU, YOU have been very kind ;"