Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-28
CHAPTER XII,

Gilbert Hannaway smiled to himself as
he leaned over the rail of the steamer
and watched the great French light go
flashing across the dark, foam-fecked
water. He thought of the time he had
seen Christine singing in the rainy street
for pennies. He turned his head little
to look at her now, stretched upon a
deck chair, covered with expensive furs,
a jewel case on her knees, a little Pome-
ranian under her arm, her maid busy a
few feet away in the little private cabin
from which she had just issued. Then
his face darkened. After all, she had be-
come more unapproachable. He felt that
as she was at present it would need all
his courage to venture even to address
her.
However, his opportunity came before
they were half way across. His chair
was next to hers, and while she apparent
ly dozed her jewel case slipped from her
knees and fell onto the deck. She opened
her eyes, to see him restoring it to its
place.
ALLOW me-" he said. at is not in
jured in the least. 1t fell upon the rug
She looked at him steadfastly. There
Her eyes met his frankly. She knew that
she was recognized and she accepted the
inevitable.
Il am very much obliged to you.'' she
said, coolly. 'Marie!'
Her maid came out from the cabin.
Christine handed her the jewel case.
Take care of this she said. Il find
it in my way here"
Then she closed her eyes again, as
though to sleep, and 1t seemed to Hanna
AS a matter of fact she was only think
ing. In a moment or two she opened
them again. CHANGING toward her furtive-
ly, he found that she was watching him.
1T was YOU" she asked. calmly. I'm
Henry's restaurant last night?"
Il was there he answered.
She nodded. Il saw only your back, "
she remarked, but l thought it was you.
1 trust she added, with a faint smile,
and ignoring altogether their more recent
meeting, that You have recovered from
your little accident the other night?'
He smiled. Il have recovered" he an
swered, but ] hope that you do not al
ways travel with such energetic pro-
tectorS,'
She smiled again. you need have no
fear" she said. II am alone. except for
my maid, whom / engaged only this
morning, and who certainly does not seem
strong enough to hurt person Like you.
Now Ambrose" she continued, lis small,
but he Is very strong and very fierce.
lis one permitted to hope" he asked.
that an acquaintance with Ambrose is
not a necessity to those who wish to be-
come" He hesitated. Her eyes Were
fixed steadily upon his. He felt that his
speech might SAVIOR almost of imperti-
hence. And yet, under the circum-
stances, there was surely no necessity
for him to consider trifles. ITO become
your friend?" he finished. boldly.
She was silent for moment Am
brose,'' she said, belongs to a part Of
my life which 1 imagine is over. for the
present at any rate. You have perhaps
surmised that"
He bowed. Il am glad to bear it, he
answered. Il am afraid that my sudden
appearance the other night" he went on.
Terrified you a little. / was associated.
perhaps, with the times which you pre-
ferred< to forget, but ! should like to as
sure you," he added, leaning toward her,
that my coming was not only the result
of my interest in those times but it was
also because / was anxious to see you
again"
She turned her head and looked at him
steadily An electric light burned near
them and his face was clearly visible.
1t was an honest enough face, fair, with
straight features and gray eyes. Han
naway was seldom called handsome, but
always nice looking. Women, as a rule,
trusted him, and women are generally
right
II think that I like to hear you say
that" she said. quietly. Il WISH" she
added, that you could forget altogether
those other times Re nember that you
were not concerned In them. What You
know you learned by accident They
have nothing to do with you. Can't you
forget that you know anything of them?
l wish that you could.
Il think I might he answered, lit
tie doubtfully.
You are not sure?" she continued.
"Why should you be? You remember our
dinner together few nights ago."
He nodded. Eyes, / remember it, he
answered. II fear that / did not enter
tain you with such success as your host
last night
She shrugged her shoulders. ut is a
different thing" she said. When you
Those days are over. You asked me
MANY questions. You spoke only of the
past and you spoke as one anxious to
discover things that 1t were better for
Won to know nothing of. When / think
of YOU as that person I am afraid. /
do not wish to know you or to speak to
you
He was thoughtful for a moment. He
looked across the sea to where the great
light flashed and disappeared, flashed
and disappeared 1t was odd that the
lingering impression which for years he
had carried about with him of this girl
a child when he had first seen her, a
woman now-should have been such a
lasting thing, should be SO easily stirred
into vivid recollection by this brief con-
tact with her.
.If | forget" he said. slowly, that
chance ever brought me near a little
group of people about whose doings there
were certain mysterious things-if / for
get this
Her hand flashed across the arm OF his