Evening star., 1909-04-11

OF its own, and even rehearsed pose tWo
with a view toward scenic effect. But she hal
neither taken Bower 5 measure nor counted
Mrs de la Neres superior strategy All that
happened that she ate a lukewarm meal.
and was left to wonder at her onetime admirers
boldneSs IN accepting situation that many
daring man would have Strlven to evade
After dinner II was the custom Of the habi-
tues to treak up into small groups and arrange
the night 5 amusement. Dancing claimed TIE
younger element. while card games had Their
devotees. Mrs. de Ia We're danced invariably;
but tonight she devoted herself TO Helen She
under illusions. Bower and s5penser
were engaged III quiet duel, and the vIctcT
meant to rnonopolize the girl for the remainder
Of the evening. That was preventable. They
could fight their battle some other occasion.
At present there was one thing OF vital InpoT-
tance,-the unpleasant impression created by
the actress bitter attack must be dissipated.
and Mrs. de Ia We're. secretly marveling at her
own enthusiasm aimed Al the achievement
Don't be drawn away from any pre-
textl she whispered. linking her arm through
Helen's they passed into the foyer.
And be gracious TO everybody, even TO those
who have oeen most catfish
HELEN was far too excited and grateful 20
- harbor animositv Moreover she dreaded
the chance of being left alone with Bower As
he had already declared his intentions publicly.
she was sure he would seize the first oppoT-
tunity to ask her to marry him. And what
would be her answer. She hardly knew She
must have time to think. She must search her
own heart. She almost flinched from the sue
ceeding thought,-was it that her soul had
found another mate. Ii that was so, she mast
refuse Bower though the man she was learning
to love might pass OF her life and leave her
desolate.
She liked Bower even respected him Never
for an instant had the notion Intruded that he
had followed her to Switzerland with an u1l-
worthy motive. To her mind, nothing could
be more straightforward than their acquai-l--
ance. The more she reflected on Miice.1t
Iaques extraordinary conduct the more she
was astounded by its utter baselessness. And
Bower admirable in many ways. He stoci
high in the opinion OF the world. He was rich.
cultured, and seemingly deeply enamoured q
her undeserving self. What better husband
could any girl desire? He would
give her everything that made lie
worth living. Indeed, if the truth
must be told, she was phenonlen-
allv lucky.
Thus did she strive to silence
nlsgivlng. TO quell doubt, to oTcer
and regulate blurred medley cf
subconscious thought While
laughing, and talking, and making
the most successful efforts to be at
with the dozens of people who
came and spoke to Mrs. de la We're
and herself, she felt like some fraI
vessel dancing blithely in a swift,
smooth current, vet ever Fastening
T. the verge of cataract.
ONCE Bower approached, skill
fully plotting Mrs. Badminrc
Srnvthe; for Reginald, firing Of tie
role thrust on him by his wife, had
gone TO play bridge. 1t was cles-ly
his intent to take Helen from her
chaperon.
1T IS still showing, though not
~ SO heavily he said. Come out
the veranda and look at the
landscape. The lake is pool of
ink in the middle of a white table
CLOTH
The snow will be far more
! visible IN the morning, and we have
a lot OF ice to melt here, interposed
r<er Mrs. de la We're quickly
o The and woman, both well
versed in the ways of society, looked
each other squarely IN the eye
Though disappointed, the man
understood, was even appreciative.
Miss Wynton is fortunate IN
her friends" he said and straight
way went to the writing room.
He felt that Helen was safe with this u-l-
expected ally. He could afford to bide his
time. Nothing could now undo the effect Ct
his open declaration while fouting Mcent
;aques. If he gave that wayward young per-
sen passing thought, it of gladIess
tnat she had precipitated matters. There
manned only the unpleasant meeting with
Stan.pa in the morning. He shuddered al the
recollection that he had nearly done foolish