Evening star., 1909-07-11
} A Woman's Enchantment
By WILLIAM LIE QUEUX.
. Copyright by e
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By WILLIAM LIE QUEUX
Copyright, 1909, by william lie QueuIl

ii. end then alas. in a single instant
it has left them, never to return.
was no exception to the rule. T. had
loved and loved well--but had lost. And
now / had crown cynical, bitter and
world-Weary. Such mood as this mad
drawn me toward Granny Cough. We
had both been equally unfortunate. both
cosmopolitan and both men of the world.
We dined together in the grillroom.
spent an hour in the Toll. that popular
music hall in the Strand: had a cigarette
in the Devonshire Club. and at eleven he
walked with me to the door of Talbot
House, in ST. Martins lane, where lived.
/ had wished him goodnight and grasped
his hand when suddenly he said:
Il may have left London by tomorrow
morning, Phil
Left! Why. you've only just returned.
Why are YOU off SO qulckly?'
He regarded me with rather curious
| look, | thought.
Il may not go. Of course" he said.
But if | have gone YOU won't be sur
| prised.''
Where are YOU going"
That's just what / don't know
| But look here. Granny, | said.
What's at the back Of your mind? Just
be open with me. Are YOU going up 10
| Yorkshire after all?
| He was silent. and I realized that such
was his Intention.
! Come upstairs and have another
! drink" | said. And don't you be a fool.
! You're not yourself touight." And. en-
| tcring. he followed me into the lift. and
afterWard into my tiny. but rather com
/ forta BILE. fiat. Of which. about one month
| in every twelve. ] was tenant. The re-
mainder of the time it was given over
! to old Mrs. Almond. the rheumatic-ra cked
and bibulous laundress.
| When We had ensconced ourselves in
easy chairs and | had mixed him a
whisky and soda l tried once more to
point out the judiciousness of waiting.
seated there like man in a dream.
| His kindly blue eyes We're fixed straight
before him at the Vanity Fair car
1 tocn on the opposite wall. Since he bad
encountered that woman Lydia Pope
scu, he had somehow become a changed
man.
! His manner was distinctly mysterious.
!. who knew him we'll in all his moods
| and was aware of his continuous ups-and-
downs consequent upon adventurer's S
1 existence. had never witnessed such a
+. change in him.
The iron Of misfortune seemed to have
entered his soul. and at the same time
his whole being seemed stirred by some
strong impulse He had lost all, reflect
/ ed. Wa il the spirit OF revenge?
! When he spoke his words were full Of
biting sarcasm. ! went into the kitchen
to obtain fresh siphon of soda water
and while | had gone | heard him pacing
up and down my small! sitting room.
Then had final drink. and at last
he rose to go.
Well, Phil. goodbye. old chap! If
should be gone in the morning I'll wire
you address. j shall probably go to
Germany or Austria. It's warm for the
south. S'bogom!" And he laughed, for
linguist that he was. he used occasionally
the farewell IN the Servian tongue.
| saw him into the lift, and, with q fna
injunction to be OF good cheer. waved him
goodbye he descended out of sight.
For half an hour l remained alone
thinking and wondering. Then I switched
off the light. and. entering my bedroom
turned in.
Next morning at hslf-past 9. Mrs. AL.
mond having made my tea and prepared
my breakfast. i sat down with the morn.
ing paper open before me.
!. A startling. headline struck my eyes. anG
/ read eagerly. with bated breath
a horrible truth was printed there's
truth that was astounding incrediblei
] rose. rushed down into the street
jumped into a cab and drove in frantic
. haste to the Hotel Cecil.
The valet opened Grannys door witt
his key.
The bed ! saw. had not been slept in.
Mr. Cough didn't return last night
sir" exclaimed the man.
With the copy OF the newspaper in IA,
pocket ] descended the stairs, and wen