The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-06-02
Extenuatin8
Circumstances
BY HORACE WYNDHAM.

occurred to me, during a cross-exam-
ination at her hands, that nature in
tended her for X. c. At the Chan
cery bar she would have been in her
element.
1t was half-past 3 when l reached
the Curzon street house, and / had
shamefully prolonged my call until a
quarter to G. AS, however, had not
seen Phyllida for nearly two weeks,
we naturally had great deal to talk
about.
You mustn't dream of going yet,'
she said, when at last l arose.
"Tm afraid my train will, though" :"
"Never mind" she returned, with
generous impartiality. "You can take
the next. l want you to tell me all
about your visit to Trouville."
GAM"
Phyllida shot a swift believe the
technical term is "withering"-glance
at me, but l bore it unflinchingly.
Yes, all. Begin at the beginning,
please. What did you do when you
arrived?"
Before or after had got over the
first shock of leaving you?"
Phyllida sighed plaintively.
You seem to be fond of silly re-
marks; so please listen to me-"
| put my watch back in my pocket,
and metaphorically entered the wit
ness box. A leading question came at
once.
did you have a good time?"
"Yes."
A triumphant CLEAN illuminated
my inquisitor's face.
Then you must have got into mis-
chief. What was she like? Was she
fair or dark?"
That question requires notice." l
returned, automatically.
The protest was waved aside.
mo, it doesn't. 1t only requires
plain answer"
"I'll try and think of one, then"
"Please don't. l shall have to tell
you what 1t was myself. Still, l don't
suppose shall get the truth out of
you"
The insinuation seemed unworthy.
Besides it wounded what the best
noyelists unanimously call amour pro-
pre-.
This is not the best way to invite
confidence" l returned with, hope,
gentle dignity. "A moment ago and
i was more than ready to reveal the
inmost workings of my soul. AS it is,
however, well"-
Phyllida seated herself on the arm
of my chair, and our eyes met. Re-
garded from the standpoint of strict
propriety, l do not defend the next
step she took. Still, it was distinctly
-soothing-and, then, we were
alone.
Now you're nice again." she ex-
claimed. "You can't think what an
alteration it makes in your appear
ance. You're quite a different man
when you SMILE"
"Flatterer!
Phyllida shook her head.
"Of course, l don't really mean it.
That is, what do mean is, you're just
the same stupid, annoying, old dear
whatever expression you put on"
you have removed a weight from
my mind"
Il think went on my companion,
eyeing me critically, "there are mo-
ments when like you nearly as much
as-well, George Henderson.
But he doesn't like me at ALL"
Don't be stupid You know per-
fectly well that what l mean is that /
like you nearly as much as / like
George Henderson. You needn't
sneer at him just because he's a Colo
nial. Some of the best people have
gone to the colonies"
Certainly, and some of the best
judges have sent them there"
Phyllida looked at me sharply.
Judges of what?"
Before could think of r. suitable
reply, however, she had remembered
the original matter under discussion.
Il wish you wouldn't stray from
the subject, like this" she observed
plaintively. "What l want to know
is how you behaved yourself in Trou-
vile. You can begin by describing
all the girls you fell in love with
while you were away from me-"
"All of them?"
Certainly"
- I'm afraid shall have to go in
ten minutes.
Phyllida went through the process
known as "bridling."
so 1t would take longer than that
to exhaust the list, would it?" she
exclaimed. I'm disappointed in you.
especially after all your solemn prom
tses. Still, I'm glad to have found
you out, though"
Far be it from me to deprive you
Of any innocent pleasure, returned,
but, really. you wrong me in think
ing
Phyllida's face changed swiftly.
"Then you didn't-er-oh, you
know-with anybody?"
Certainly not"
~Oh, /, am SO glad! You didn't
mind my asking. though. did you?",
met Q bit."