The searchlight., 1910-04-15


Tempest passed his nervous hand
through his hair. gave last look to
the gray without. as though he con-
fided his melancholy to it-promising
to return again for it-neyer fear!
and came out into the room.
When Mrs. Henly reappeared she
opened the door. consigned her guest
quickly to the study, and withdrew
like lightning for fear she should be
hailed to escort her out again.
The stranger deserted In this fash
ion looked about her rather startled.
Tempest. in a black velvet jacket into
whose pockets his hands were thrust,
blocked up the foreground. He saw
her embarrassment and that her lips
were almost white. She bowed to
him. still standing where Mrs. Henly's
catapultlike ushering had placed her.
Il am Lucy Carew," she announced
in voice that did not waver at all.
Il have come all the way from Amer.
| lea to see you"
Mr.. Tempest started. The sudden
| addition of thirty.five hundred miles
to the twelve was material.
"Trop aimable," he said. Il shall
seem ungracious IL ! say that I re-
ceive no one. not even an emissary
from the Cape OF Good Hope" He
chose at random, and as he said 1t its
| meaning caught his sensitive ear. He
smiled. You will let me be inconse-
quent and except that point? You see,
to be frank. l have refused myself to
everyone. Miss Carew The said her
name as though 1t were a household
wordD every one-friend, enemy. kind
and unkind. | am a recluse-"
Il know" she accepted, Il read in
the Daily Telegraph that you were.
scarcely dared expect to see you.
When / got out at Cravenford and
found I should have to walk IL miles
I was nearly discouraged"
Nearly" he echoed. 1T is a tramp,
even for an English girl; your coun.
trywomen are not supposed to be
walkers"
I've not walked much before" she
admitted, "and my heels are high: bu,
when | got here 1t was the worst OF
all-your housekeeper refused me;
and then"-she raised the slight veil
she wore. her eyes were sparkling and
disclosed no trace of tt cried.
she said frankly
Tempest took his hands from his
pockets and extended one with the
charming gesture he knew so wei
won him friends For brief second
his face relaxed. illuminated. He
came up to his guest. Don't cry
here" he implored. Il can't imagine
what a 3.312-mile fatigue may be, bu
II you can rest from some OF 1t II
this chair, will you do so? I will rint
for tea and lights"
Tempest understood the nature o
human feeling too well not to realiz'
with a fash how great was the pleas
ure OF his own-and not to realiZ,
that he had never experienced quit
the like sensation before. Into hi
outstretched hand hand slender an,
strong fell as naturally as though
had waited for just this shelter eve
since 1t had been made. He led tn
girl to his favorite chair took deligh
in seeing her sink into II.
She had quickly undone her veil an
taken it off. and he then saw the n
, tigue under her eyes. the pallor of he
!. face. and withal the freshness of Il
;, 1t was a luminous face, If such a teri
, might be used-he thought 1t nigh
. Her figure was concealed by lont
5 dark coat that rose to her neck. an
: she nestled into the comfort of tn
E chair with an acquiescence of fatigu
+ her expression did not admit. lndee,
5 her eyes. fastened on Tempest. wer
o the loveliest things he had encouI
|. tered for n long time.
= The unconventionality of the visi
$ her calm behavior In II. touched HI
humorous vein. He slightly mocke
her as he spoke. in tone not the les
agreeable and perfectly gracious.
l. what wager are you winning
Miss Carew. you have won It! Ho
d much of the IL miles did you wal
really?"
"a She held out small foot In bad
N damaged high-heeled shoe. "A ca
brought me to cross-road and then
walked on-l2 miles the man said
,r was, and 1t seemed IT,"
He did not wish to ask tn
young woman why she had con
,e to him: he dreaded lest she shou
Il. say. The moment she should a.
,e him for his autograph the sing
H. lar and piquant charm Of her appal
d. ton would vanish and he would b
come his brutal. savage self agai
,a This unusual visit would not bear v,
he garity or even tangibility. Despi
err the adjustment OF his eyeglass he sa
her as IL through a film: 1t added
70 the unreality of her presence.
You will have tea? Perhaps "
lie will make II for me?"
The lights had been brought In wi
as the drawing OF the curtains over 4
re rain-swept window.
Miss Carew's hands lay inert on I
ir. chairs arms. She shook her head.
N. Il am afraid l can't am
L. | tirado