Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-19

! esqueness-comfort is nothing to me. AS
my husband used to say. oh. Mary. you
| are always putting your artistic feenngs
| before material necessities Poor fellow,
| he used to miss his creature comforts
sometimes. / fear"
| Her laugh painfully resembling giggle.
| interrupted her own garruity. which was
| finally put to an end by fresh arrival
A slight daintily clad figure had detached
itself from a group Of guests and came
running toward them Mrs. Carmichael S
deeply lined. somewhat severe face light
ed up.
Caruthers. she said "She has been
with me all her life. practically AS you
are so fond of genuine India. you must
let her show you over the place. She
knows all the dirtest ara, | suppose,
most interesting corners, with their exact
history.
'Delightful.' murmured Mrs. Cary.
with a gracious nod of her plumed head
gear. Nevertheless. she studied the small
figure and animated features of the new
conner with a critical severity not alto
gether in accordance with her next re-
mark, uttered. apparently under pressure
of the same irresistible enthusiasm. in an
audible side whisper: What a sweet
face-so piquant.''
An adjective is a pliabie weapon. and
in the hands Of a woman can be made
to mean anything under the sun. Mrs.
Cary's "piquanf'-pronouneed in q man
ileT tiaI was ncltncr french nor EngnSn,
but a startling mixture OF both-had a
background to it of charitable patronage.
IT was meant without doubt, to be
vanished edition OF plain" perhaps even
ugly. though Lois Caruthers deserved
neither insinuation. Possibly too small in
build, she was yet graceful. and there
was a 1.-THE. elastic energy I'm her move
ments which drew attention to her even
among more imposing figures. Possibly.
! also. she was too dark for the English
RI hoi, nd lor
eyes. together with the unrelieved pallor
! OF her complexion. gave her appearance
something that was exotic. but not I'M
pleasing. Enfin, as most people admitted,
she had her charm: and her moods, which
| ranged from the most light-hearted gay
| ETY. to the deepest gravity. could be equal
| ly irresistible. She was light-hearted
! enough now. however. as she smiled from
| daughter I'm her friendly greeting, though
| as yet both were strangers to her
Il have come to fetch you, Aunt Har-
| riet.' she said. addressing Mrs. Carni-
| chael Mr.. Travers has got some great
| scheme on hand which he will only dis
| close i'm your presence. We are all gasp
| ing with curiosity. Will you please
| Gomez
| Mrs. Carmichael nodded
II will come at once she said. I'm
sure it's only one Of Mr.. Travers' break
neck schemes. but they are always anus
| ing to listen to. Lois come and be intro
duced My adopted niece-Mrs. Cary, Miss
Cary"
| They shook hands.
Lois. when there is time I want you
| to do the honors of Marut. Miss Cary
| especially has as yet seen nothing, and
there is a great deal Of interest You
know''-turning to her visitors-"Marut is
supposed to have been the hotbed of the
| last rising
Indeed murmured Mrs. Cary, vague
| ly. How delfghtful!'
| Lois Caruthers laughed, not without
| shadow of bitterness.
1T was hardly delightful at the time,
| I should imagine, she observed. But
| what there is to see ] shall be very glad
| to show you. VIII any day suit your
"Oh, yes. any day." Beatrice Cary as
| sented speaking almost for the first time
II have nothing to do here from morning
| to night"
That will soon change" Lois said,