Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24


acknowledgement of the introduction.
He seated himself and in hawess English
gave some of the details of his trip, the Hon.
Bob now and then asking him question. as if
striving to be polite. In only few minutes he
rose to his feet saving that he must excuse him
self. as he had other appointments. The Con-
SUI endeavoring to show hospitality to friend
of his household, started to escort him to the
door,
Hold on minute'" he said. Mr. Buham-
mel, you'd better come and have dinner with
us this evening"
AS the Moor accepted his invitation. Dick
looked across the room to Miss Clarke. who
gave an involuntary gesture OF annoyance.
v hen the sound of the visitors footsteps had
died away and the Consul turned. Charlotte
took him to task
Nov, what on earth did you do that for?"
she said, shaking her finger under her fathers
nose.
why, ] thought you wanted me to" he re-
piled with look of surprise. Friend of you
girls isn't he9"
YES: but-oh WELL think it would have
been nicer to have had no one outside our own
family with us tonight
The Hon. Bob after admitting that he hadn't
thought of that, busted himself with some
American magazines. and Charlotte. mistress
of the house, disappeared in the direction of the
dining room.
FOR the first time. the officer felt himself
alone with the English girl. whom he had
been thoughtfully watching. as if studying
something vague and half forgotten. Miss
Clarke" he said. Il have been trying to recall
the one you remind me of. l think have it:
Once, several years ago. / had the pleasure OF
going on a hunting trip with countryman OF
yours. Lord West. You bear him distinct
resemblance" She looked amused, but made
no response other than an interrogative Yes!
"N e all liked him thoroughly: for there was
nothing of assumption in him and he was
splendid sportsman. l was detailed to accom-
pany him on big game trip. and with none but
indians for companions we passed several won
derful weeks together"
Miss Clarke was now smiling at him with
new interest in her eve. =" l am glad you liked
him." she said. 81 am rather fond of him my
self He is nv eldest brother
He impulsively walked across the room and
sat down beside her. wondering at her lack OF
spontaneitv. Her air of indifference in
terested him, and he felt keen desire to arouse
in her some spark of enthusiasm.
Doesn't it seem strange" he said, THAT
we should meet here in this far off place. to
learn that we have sort of mutual tie. yours
of relationship and mine of friendship"
cation that the popularity of their acquaint-
anceship was of any exceptional interest.
aren't YOU surprised" he asked.
mo- can't say that am ~
Captain Whitney had sense of rebuff. and
wondered whether he personally objection
able to the strange and incomprehensible Eng
ish girl at his side Half baff1ed and finding it
difficult to converse with her, he took refuge in
opening conversation with the Consul who.
as if recalled to something pulled huge silver
watch from his trousers and consulted it with
apparent anxiety.
Guess it's most time to eat again" he re-
marked sententiouSlv. NEARLY half past
seven Hamilton'll be here pretty soon"
They stood on their feet. He put hand on
the Captains shoulder.
Dick" he said, come on and II show you
where you bunk. Right next to me up stairs"
WITH bow to the girl the officer followed
w him out into the courtyard and UP one
gallery past the thin screens and to another and
commodious wing of the spreading house.
where, until his baggage arrived, he prepared
himself as best he might for the evening
meal.
He was still intent on the thought of the baf-
fling Miss Clarke, when he heard shouts of
laughter below and leaned over the gallery
above the court. to discover the girls talking
with a man whom he SllrmiSed to be kaid
Clarke The General was in the uniform of the
Moorish staff, and was barely discernible as
splotch of color on the pavement below.
noiseless white clad figure passed close behind
the dim group bearing taper and lighted the
iron lanterns suspended from the lower arches.
The dull yellow CLEANS increased until they
lent languid reflections to the waters of the
fountain. the wet leaves of the palm trees in
the court and the little DurDle SQUARES of pliS-