Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17


pose make it reNt Friday Also ask her to send
complete list of the gifts she has received to
date, in chronological order.
THE next day letter came from Miss Quarich in
reply to Naeska's note She said that as her
butler usually away Fridays she would prefer
to have the dinner on Thursday And" she added,
do please, bring that pretty Miss Wynne, if she
will pardon my informality in not calling myself to
invite her. But I'm so busy etc
On Thursday evening, therefore. Astro's broug ham
bore the two to Miss Quarich's residence upper
Lexington-ave. They admitted by the Jap
butler, and, entering the drawing room,
found the two men of the party already waiting.
Thompson the elder of the two was typical man
about town bullet headed, red faced with cropped
red mustache, and of jovial, magnetic tempera-
ment Care had scarcely rubbed elbows with Tom
Thompson and he was full of the gossip of the day.
cordial hearty, and evidently innocuous Gerrish
suave, with a clever head, egg shaped,
smooth shaved, with sensitive mouth and smiling
eyes.
A moment after Miss Quarich appeared attired
in the most modern of Empire gowns revealing her
SLIM 1.-THE figure and beautiful neck. She young
and merry with dark eyes full of coquetry She vel
coined Valeska with little patronizing snugge,
and held out her hand to Astro, who bent it
Hiss Quarich bushed. 1t became her charmngly.
Naeska meanwhile had turned to the men, and her
eyes and wits were busy. Sam. the japanese butler,
came in with cocktails on a trav Neither Of the
women INDUCED; but the men drank their healths,
each with characteristic compliment. Then they
went into the dining room.
AS Sam, WITH the crisp. 1mpeTSOndl Qulel dignity
of his race passed from guest to another serving
both Astro and Valeska watched the two other
guests sharply. The showed himself thoroughly
AZ tdH as always when he accepted such social
invitations.
Once or twice during the meal, Astro's eyes
sought Naeska's, with questioning eXpresslc n.
The faintest possible shake of the head his only
answer The two men divided their attention be-
tween Miss Quarich and Valeska Wynne with discre-
ton and tact The talk in social common
places. of the theaters of the newspaper topics of
the daV of SDOrtlnp That AStrO
thing more than the merest society butterfly or the
favOrite of the moment, would have suspected.
Yet again and again he shot his shrewd look across
the table at his assistant and his glance in their
secret language pointed her attention to many things
A FTER the sweets, the women retired up stairs
"A to Miss Quarich's private sitting room for their
coffee and few moments of relaxation
"Well?" said Miss Quarich, passing her golden
cigarette case to Valeska.
They're both immensely interested in you, it
seems to me-
Miss Quarichs brows rose. My dear, she
said it struck me that you came in for some notice
also
Valeska smiled But don't expect to receive a
present from either of them Saturday, however.
Miss Quarich sat up with animation. :" It's great
fun, of course" she said; but it's tantalizing.
would never suspect either of them of being ro-
mantle Of course I've had loads of flowers and
books and all that sort of thing from men, and both
of these have been, you say, interested-and at
tentive In fact, each of them has dangerously
near to-a refusal" She laughed merrily.
{" Do you recall having mentioned the size of your
shoe to either of them?'
Not at ALL though either might have found out,
if he tried hard enough
And about the album?
"Oh, l recall having mentioned one l saw, one
night at dinner when they were both there. l must
show it to you She rang a bell at her side, and
shortly maid appeared. 'Stebbins, will you bring
that album on the table in my room, please?"
When it came, Valeska examined it interestedly.
1t was made in imitation of the Renaissance volumes
that still decorated and sold in Siena The board
covers were gilded and painted with quaint pictures