Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-15
THE MESSAGE
BY LOUIS TRACY.
Copyright . saw.rl J.. cussey

crafty purpose behind the smooth spoken
words. beat through the haze of wrath
ana grief that clouded Evelyns mind.
She could trust Fairholme with her lovers
letter. but not Baumgartner To reveal
10 him what Warden had said about Mrs
Laings extraordinarily accurate knowl-
edge OF proceedings in the Solent and
! affairs in Nigeria would be tantamount to
| betraying her lovers faith
With splendid calmness she took the
letter from the table and replaced 1t In
her pocket.
mo. thank you. Mr. Baumgartner," she
said. ''if Lord Fairholme declines to help
me. nobody else can take his place. l
appealed to him because he is aware
| that Mrs. Laing induced your groom to
unlock the post box and hand her my let
ter. The proof of my words lie here. II
Is for him to say whether or not he IL
satisfied he saw Mrs. Laing commit
theft"
Fairholme shook his head He was not
lacking In pluck. and his artificial humor
was only the veneer of an honest nature.
but he surprised a look in Rosamund's
eyes that startled him. She was pale
now, ashen pale. She uttered no word.
| a suppressed malevolence that was more
threatening than the mere rage of a de-
tected trickster.
His lordship evidently thought 1t high
time Baumgartner or his wife exercised
their authority.
Don't you think this matter has gone
quite far enough?' he asked. glancing
from one to the other. and avoiding the
eyes of either Evelyn or Mrs. LANG
Yes" said Baumgartner. speaking with
/ pomposty that contrasted sharply with
his prompt offer to supplant Fairholme as
Judge. This absurd dispute about a pure
| ly private affair must end at once. I and
my family are going to Europe by the
next mail steamer
"Isadore!' gasped his wife.
Father, you can't mean it!'' cried
Beryl, who. at the lowest calculation, had
| made arrangements for a good three
Unfortunately, am quite in earnest"
The financier looked it. Despite his
magisterial air. his puffy face was drawn
and haggard. and he had the aspect Of
man who needed rest and sleep.
You will accompany US. Of course.
Miss Dane he went on. speaking slowly.
as though he were cropping for the best
| way out Of difficulty. Your quarrel
with Mrs Laing can be much more easily
adjusted in England than here. / hope.
therefore, we. shall be spared further
/ pickering during our brief stay in the
Canaries."
But, father dear" put in his daughter.
| you said we were going home on the
yacht. and calling at Gibraltar and Al
giers"
II have changed my plans" he retorted.
CURLY, and that was all he would say on
the subject.
Evelyn left the table at the earliest mo-
ment. When too late she regretted the
! impulse that led her to declare open war
against Mrs. Laing. But 1t was done
! now. Those words theft and steal
were irrevocable. She had retreated to
nook in the garden. where q dense clump
of tropical trees and shrubs gave shelter
from the sun, and was trying to discover
il she had imperiled the success Of War
denis mission by any unguarded phrase.
when Lord Fairholme came to her.
May l sit down here few minutes7"
he asked. Il want to try to understand
things"
| 81 should be sorry to test your lord
ships capacity so greatly" she said. She
had not yet forgiven him for not taking
her part. She was young; her world was
tumbling about her ears: she beAeved
that everybody ought to stand aghast at
Rosamunds wickedness.
'Oh, come now, that's bit severe.
| isn't it," grinned Fairholme. You don't
make allowances for the ruffled feelin' s
of a poor fellow who has just had his
image battered"
J will you please tell me what You are
"Eh-beg pardon. I meant idol shat
tered Silly mistake. eh. what7''
! Evelyn's lips relaxed in a smile. There
was no resisting Billy when Tin his
own phrase) he was goin' strong.
| II fear you all thought me very rude
| helplessness. But what was / to do?-
| listen in silence to fresh insults?"
II think you did the only possible
| thing"
"Then why did you refuse to bear out
! my statement"
There were reasons. May see that
letter now?"
Have you come Of your own accord?
she asked.
CTo be continued tomorrow)