The Washington herald., 1910-12-27

up the teapot.
Where have you been since I saw you
last?" she inquired. looking ct Paul
Here and there's" he answered care
lessly.
Walking to and fro upon the earth.
Everywhere but here" she said. and an
observant listener would have noticed
jealousy in her tone. AS matter Of fact,
Paul did not notice H. and was amused,
wondering how this woman could expect
him TO devote his time 10 flirting with
her when he might be in the company Of
Margaret Shenstone Stil, he was too
much OF a man TO be insensible 10 her
beauty, and the warmth OF the room and
scent Of the flowers induced languidly
contented frame of mind
1T seems to me that 1 come here very
often" he said. as he leaned toward her,
she was very beautiful. but he
did not intend 10 let her count him one
Of her victims. Even If Tommy had not
warned him she was an arrant flirt, his
love for Margaret would have made him
imperyious to her seductions.
Don't you go TO the hall more fire.
quently?" and as she asked the question
her eyes flashed
I've gone a good deal OF late. The
JN+NHp ----' AtNN4A lAbAAAe-J MS
"Of course. you go 10 see Judge Shen-
stone, she said with a hooking laugh.
Paul did not reply: he was vexed. and,
leaning forward, she said:
Don't forget that Margaret Shenstone
has mother; Margaret might take after
her Have you heard that the Shenstones
are an Inflated race. lucky in whatsoever
their hand touches. but sore OF hearth"
The judge Is also a Shenstone. and he
does not seem particularly unhappy"
No; but he is too busy TO bother much
about his wife's moods. Don't lose your
heart TO Margaret; there are other women
who would value your love as the best
thing this world could offer them" she
said, leaning forward and looking up at
him with an appealing expression in her
big blue eyes.
Paul drew back. This was no Irritation.
He began 10 think that Lady Lascelles
was in earnest, and at the same moment
he realized, by tho closing Of the door,
that her companion had left them&A
you will make me vain, ne said
quietly
She gave him one keer Iook. then grasp
ed the fact that she was worsted
why, my sheep dog has departed" she
said, glancing round DO YOU know. she
is the most sensible person know. Della
mere has an instinct that tells her when
she is de trop / told her that / wanted
TO read you some extracts from a letter !
have received, and she evidently thinks
this IS the right time.
1T is from Nina Mountjoy-you remem-
Der I told you about our Summing excur-
sion. and seeing either you or your double
in a garrett think you said you were the
NAM
-Of course. Paul replied in an indiffer-
ent tone. Nina MOuntjoys name had put
him on the alert and his defenses We're
up.
Then I can give you some information
that will interest you Nina decided TO
call again and see how the young man
in the garnet was getting on / think il
was very brave Of her, considering that
he nearly pitched US downstairs. but she
had often thought about him. You see,
he was handsome and altogether differ
ent from the usual occupants Of garrets.
one could imagine he had been brought
up in the purple and wandered away
from home. I expect IL was the fact OF
his being good looking that attracted her.
You see, women never lose sight OF the
external. but she tells me Il was much
trepidation she raised the knOcker. and
his besotted landlady appeared-she was
an awful woman don't know what
poor Nina's feelings must have been
when she gripped her by the arm and
shouted;
Have you seen himT
Il can imagine Nlna's indignation as
she freed herself and demanded what the
woman meant
Lady Lascelles paused, and looked at
her companion.
rs il boring you. or do you care for
more?" and as she spoke she carelessly
folded the letter, but Paul knew il was
only feint.
"Of course 7 care to hear; the man was
my double"
Il thought when you admitted being
the same person you were a sort of DR..
Jekyll and MT HYDE.
All right; / viii be whatever you like. ="
''Win you really?" and there was some
thing in her eyes as they met his that
convinced him that Ena Lascelles loved
him. He turned away with an impatient
movement
Her voice hardened
Then, as you are the man whom We
saw in the garnet, I can give you some
information of vital Importance.
For a moment there was silence, though
Paul longed TO ask what this news was.
but feared to give himself away. Lady
Lascelles was very sharp, and il be
hooved him 10 be careful
The woman told Nina that a few days
after We saw her ledger he left the
house one evening and had not returned.
few days later a detective called and
inquired If a young man named Paul
you notice the name is yours-Jarret
lived there. OF course she told him he
had gone and left no address; then the
detective told her this young man was
heir 10 half a million of money and he
was employed by a firm OF solicitors 10
ind him. and that a reward would be
given for information as to his where
abouts. Now. do you feel like answering
it in person." asked Lady Lascelles, a
triie spitefully.
Paul looked grave.
Il might do worse. Half q million did
you say? m afraid il would be no good.
Those lawyers wouldn't swallow the DR..
Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde story. ne said
She leaned forward and looked up at
him.
They might believe that it was an
other case of. the prodigal son; that your
father had turned you adrift, and you'd
come to starvation; then. on his death
bed. he'd forgiven the wanderer."
I'm very sorry, Lady Lascelles, to up
set your little romance. but I've been a
dutiful son. and I haven't played the
prodigal Just ask Mr.. Clifford; I really
believe he would come out Of his shell
If he knew my character was at stake
AS he spoke he rose.
You're not going YETI she said.
Il must; I've stayed longer than in
tended"
a few minutes later, as Lady Las
celles went upstairs TO her bOudOir, she
thought of Margaret Shenstone. He
loves her, but il is in my power TO pre-
vent Il; he shall never marry her: then,
surely. he will turn to me. I am beauti-
full and rich. Oh, If 1 only knew whether