Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23
Observation-Disclosures

vanished. The earth might have swal-
lowed You up. No one knew of you.
Every corner of Paris was searched in
vain. What became of you? No, I will
one question and one question only Who
was it that you helped to escape that
night?"
The girls face seemed suddenly changed.
She was paler. Her features had lost all
their sullen impassivity. She was like u
person looking out upon dreaded things.
She crumbled up her bread with trem-
bling fingers. The hand which raised
her winegIass to her lips shook. Wait
crs were at their table, but she made no
attempt at lighter conversation. She sat
still. looking around the room, looking
everywhere but into the fixed. steadfasi
face of the man who sat opposite to her
Presently they were alone again.
She leaned a little over the table
There was no one there" she said. I'VE
were alone. We hurried away because
we were afraid 1t was a passer-by that
you saw
He smiled. 1T is not true he an
swered. There are some things about
(which it is not worth while to lie and
this is one of them. Will you tell me
who it was? l am not policeman or a
detective. No harm will come to any
body through me-"
she answered, with sudden passion. why
should II What are you to me? | owe
you what? A dinner. perhaps. Bah!
You asked me here. not because | was
hungry. not because you really wanted to
see me again, but just to crafty your
curiosity. You say that you have searched
for me for four years. You want me to
believe that you have thought Of me,
that it was for my sake. You looked
everywhere for a singing girl and a
hunchback and a monkey. Bah. 1 do
not believe you. | am not even sure that
YOU are not a policeman.
THAT is not kind of you he an
swered, quietly. 1T may Seem strange
to YOU perhaps. that l should be so
curious Since you misunderstood me ]
will ask you that question no more. Only
unless you will tell me exactly what you
want of this person of whom you are
in search"
II am in search of no one" she inter-
rupted. with little nervous gesture. 1T
is a mistake. We are here because there
is money in London, always money. And
one must live. We have been In SO many
other places. and every one has told lis
that 1t is here that one hnds that people
give the easiest"
He shrugged his shoulders and filled her
glass. You will not trust be-. he said
Every we'll, l will not spoil your dinner
Presently, we shall part. Only, before
you 60 there is one privilege at least
which you must allow me-.
Il will not take your money, she said.
hastily. Il Will not take anything at all
from you
"Then you are a very foolish person.
he answered II do not know much
about YOU, but I do know that 1t is a
shameful thing that you should be sing
ing in the streets day after day, With
only that poor little hnnchback for a
companion. I do not ask for any return
from you of any sort. l simply ask TO
be allowed to help you for the sake or a
sentiment. -
1T is finished she said, coldly i
can starve very WELL but would not
take money from you.
He sighed. You are worse than 1901
ish.'' he declared on take pennies
from the passers-by in the street. and
yet you refuse the help OF one VINO Is
anxious only to be your friend
..Wc take the pennies of people whom
we do not know" she answered. coldly.
I'VE sing and play to them, or We would
ask for nothing The greatest artist who
sings in opera does that For you IT Is
different. We live our own lives. After
ALL We ourselves are the best judges of
what seems right to us.
Hannaway shrugged his shoulders. IL
was only too obvious that the girl was
in earnest. 1T must be as you Will ne
said, quietly. 1.-The chicken at last! lou
take salad of course? For the rest OF
the evening we speak OF cookery, OF
shall it be the weather.!
She looked at him not unklndly. GU
may talk of what you like. she an
swered "except-
He smiled as he filled her glass Ihat,
he answered, sis finished.
ITO he continued tomorrow