Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-27
CHAPTER X-Continued.

At twenty minutes to IL there was all
the pleasant hustle on the platform at
Victoria which precedes the departure Of
the continental train. Piles Of registered
luggage were being checked and looked
over by their owners. The people who
had arrived early were walking up and
down the platform. saying goodbye to
their friends. Busy inspectors were
scrutinizing the labels to find the en-
gagged carriages. The boy who sold seats
in the French train was doing q thriving
business. Gilbert Hannaway was saun-
tering by the book stall, turning over
magazines and glancing frequently to-
ward the main entrance, where Christine
was standing. pale and expectant.
A few minutes before the hour Lord
Ellingham. leaning little upon the arm
Of his secretary and preceded by tall
form. He looked neither to the right
nor to the left, but walked straight
through the press OF people to take hfs
place in the train. Hannaway. whose
emotions we're not easily aroused. felt
himself suddenly thrilled as he watched
the girl. He saw a new thing In her face.
He saw an expression which never before
had he seen in the eyes Of any living
person. She had staggered a little back
and was leaning slightly against the wall.
to hide from her the sight of some ter
rible thing. Her lips were a little parted.
Her eyes had grown larger, distended.
terrified. AS though against her will
who passed SO close to her. They fol-
lowed him across the platform. followed
him, the central figure of an obsequfous-
looking group. to the reserved carriage
awaiting him. Her hands clutched at the
air. She seemed almost as though she
would fall.
Hannaway crossed the platform to her.
"Have you nothing to say to him?" he
asked, pointing to the carriage, the door
of which was now closed.
The girl looked at him with unseeing
eyes. She started to cross the platform.
and at that moment Lord Ellingham came
to the window to give some parting In
structions to the footman. His eyes met
the girls. and for the second time Gilbert
Hannaway was thrilled. He saw the man
at the carriage window break of in the
middle Of a sentence, saw him clutch the
sides of the door for support, saw In mis-
face something Of that same look which
had shone a moment before in the eyes
of the girl who was now going toward
him.
Hannaway stood rooted to the spot. 1t
was one OF the great tragedies OF life be-
ing played before his eyes, between these
two. the man and the girl. both torn by
some strange, incomprehensible emotion.
The whistle of the train blew. Lord
Ellingham threw open the door of his
carriage.
Let her in" he said, hoarsely. to the
inspector.
The people who stood around looked
from the girl to him in amaZement. Pen
ton, his secretary. was too amazed to
say word. The footman could not think
Of one to utter. Only the inspector, with
his mind upon his duties, was able to
make any remark at all.
1.-THE young lady won't be going on,
sir?" he asked. I'VE are OF now. There s
no time
Lord ElEngham stretched out his hands
and drew her into the carriage. The
train was already moving. There was
no opportunity for any other protest.
Those who were left upon the platform
and had witnessed the little scene gazed
after the train In amazement. Only Gill
bert Hannaway understood, and he very
dimly, something Of the meaning OF
what had happened.