Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-30
CHAPTER ii.
The Savage Club Dinner

THINNER was served by the time l reached the
- Cecil and, l entered the salon and made
my way toward the table where seats were, [
that my fears were realized. Anne was angry
and would not lightly forgive for what she evil
IDENTIFY considered all but objectionable breach of
knew Mary had arranged that Anne and should
sit together: but the chair reserved for was
on Mary's left. Her husband sat on her right, and
next him Anne deep in conversation with her
farther neighbor, who, as l recognized with queer
feeling of apprehension, was none other than Casa
vett himself.
Mary greeted me with conical expression of dis
may on her pretty little face. I'm sorry, Maurice,
she Whispered Anne would sit there , She's very
telephonee We gave you ten minutes grace and
then all together. 1t WASH what you might
call lively: for i'm had to sit bodkin between and
Anne never spoke word the whole way
Jim said nothing but looked UP from his soup and
favored me with grin and a wink. He evidently
imagined the situation to be funny. | did not.
''I' explain later, Mary" | said, and moved to
the back of Anne's chair.
'Wll you forgive me- Miss Pendennis?" l said
humbly. Il was detained at the last moment by an
accident. rang you up; but failed to get an an
swer."
She turned her head and looked up at with
charming smile, in which thought / detected trace
of contrition for her hasty condemnation of me. An
accident! You hurt?" she asked impulsively.
mo- it happened to some one else, and it concerns
as confessed that was unhurt Anne momentary
flash of conjunction passed and her perverse mood
reasserted itself With slight shrug of her white
shoulders she resumed her dinner, and, though she
must have heard what told Cassavett, she betrayed
no sign of interest.
stances, suppressing only any mention of the dis
covery of Annes portrait in the alien possession and
subsequent interview in my rooms. remem-
bered the mans terror of Cassavetti-or Selinski
he had called hm-and his evident conviction that
he in way connected with the danger that
threatened the gracious lady" who, alas! seemed
unlucky evening.
Cassavetti listened impassively. l watched his
dark face ntently but could learn nothing from it,
not even whether he had expected the man. recog-
nized him from nv description without doubt
one of my old pensioners, he said unconcernedly.
Strange that should have missed him; for was in
my rooms before seven and left them only to come
here Accept my regrets my friend for the trouble
he occasloned you and my thanks tor your kindness
to him.
The words and the tone were courteous enough
and yet they reused in sudden fierce feeling OF
antagonsm against this man, whom | had hitherto
regarded interesting and pleasant acquaintance.
For thing, that Anne had been listening to
the brief coloquy and had grasped the full signif-
Of his remark as to the time when he returned
to his rooms. The small head, with it's cleaning
crown of chestnut hair, was elevated with proud
little movement, palpabe enough to my jealous and
troubled eyes | could not her face; but | knew
we'll that her eyes flashed stormy lightnings at that
moment. Wonderful hazel eyes they were changing
with every MOOD now dark and somber as starless
night, light and lmpid as Highland burn
laughing in the sunshine.
She imagined that the excuse had made in
valid; for if as Cassavetti inferred, his-and my
mysterious visitor had been off the premises before
o'clock ought still to have been able to keep
my appointment with her. Well, | should have to
undeceive her later.
Don't look SO solemn, Maurice Mary said
seated myself beside her. Tell me all about every
thing, right now.
l repeated what had already told Cassavetti
We'll call that real interesting!" she declared.
" If you'd left that poor old creature on the stairs,
you'd never have forgiven yourself Maurice 1t
sounds like piece out of story doesn't it, Jim?'
You're right, my dear, fairy story, chuckled