Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-09
CHAPTER XVIII.-Continued.

CHAPTER XVIII.-Continued.
Since then. too, her feelings toward
Hughie himself had altered to an extent
which she was just beginning to realize.
OF late she had found herself taking
quite peculiar interest in Hughes move
ments Why, she hardly knew. He paid
her few attentions; he was habitually I'M
compromising in what he considered the
execution of his duty: and he had made a
shocking mess Of her affairs. But-he was
in trouble; people were down on him;
and he had been her friend ever since she
could remember.
Now, Joan Gaymer, If she was nothing
else. was loyal: and loyalty in a woman
rather thrives on adversely than other
wise. And a womanS loyalty to a man
who is her friend. If You endeavor to
overstrain it or drive it into a corner. in
nine cases out of ten will protect itself,
Proteuslike. by turning into something en-
tirely different. something which is quite
imperviouS to outward attack and can
only be strained to breaking point by one
person-the man himself; and not always
then. as countless undeserving husbands
know. Joan'S loyalty to Hughie was In
some such process of transition. She
thought about him a good deal. but she
had never once faced the question OF her
ultimate relations with him. The modern
her own feelings toward members of the
opposite sex-she considers these eXer-
ciSes early Victorian" or sentimental,
or "effeminate"; and. consequently, Joan
had never frankly asked herself what she
really thought about Hughie Marrabe. At
times. say, when she heard people speak
ill of her deputy guardian behind his
back, she had been conscious that she was
hot and angry; at others. when something
occurred to bring home to her with spe-
cial force the tribulations that Hughie
was enduring, she had been conscious of
large and dim determination to make
it up to him." in some manner as yet I'M
defined and at some time as yet inspect
fed. In short, like many daughter OF
Eve before her, she had not known her
own mind. She knew it now. Her heart
smOte her.
Suddenly Jimmy Marrable's voice broke
in with the rather unexpected but not al
together unreasonable question:
Then If you aren't either engaged or
married to Hughie, may / ask what the
deuce you are doing in his house?'
1T isn't his house." replied Joan. recall
ing her wandering attention to the rather
irascible figure by her side. He has let
it to the Leroys and he and / are both
staying here as guests just now
What on earth did the boy want to let
the place for? Why couldn't you and the
Leroys come and stay here as his
guests?'
L .
''that Hughie is-rather hard up
Hard up? Stuff! He has eight hun
dred a year. and enough coming In from
the estate to make it pay its own way
without any expense to him. How much
more does he want?''
Il don't think Hughie is a very good
business man." said Joan.
She made the remark in sincere defense
of Hughie. just as mother might say.
"Ah. but he always had a weak chest!''
xr-hny ha,. off yv,0 in, In in no
half-mile handicap. But Jimmy Mar
rable, being a man, took the suggestion
as a reproach.
"Nonsense!' he said, testify. "Hughie
has as hard head as any man know.
What do you mean by running him down
Have you any complaint to make Of the
way he managed your affairs-eh?''
None whatever" said Joan. promptly.
"But-bless my soul.' cried Jimmy Mar
rable; II forgot. You haven't got" He
paused, and appeared to be working out
some abstruse problem in his head. Look
here. joey" he continued, presently. IF
you aren't married to Hughie. what are
you living On?"
ION the money you left behind for me. -
she said. what else?"
The old gentleman regarded her intent
~ for a moment and then said:
"Of course; forgot. / suppose Hughie
pays it to you quarterly"
"Yes-into my bank account" replied
Miss Gaymer. with a touch of pride.
'How much?"
us it quite fair to tell?' inquired Joan.
instinctively protecting her fraudulent
trustee.
"Of course. 1t was my money in the
first instance. Go on-how much?"
-Four hundred a year." said Joan. 1T
was three hundred at first. Hughie told
pected. and that ! should have to be care
full. But Ursula Harbord-she Is the girl
l share a flat with; she is frightfully
clever about money and business-told me
| to ask Hughie what interest 1 was get
ting on my capital, Or something.
found out for her4 per cent. l think ii
was-and she said it wasn't nearly
enough. There were things called pref
erence shares. or something, that pay IL
or IL per cent: and Hughie must sell at
once and buy these instead. What's the
matter?'
Jimmy Marrable had suddenly choked.
Nothing! Nothing" he said. in some
| confusion. "a smart girl this friend OF
gloves. should say. and acts as honorary
| treasurer to various charitable organiza-
slapped himself feebly. And what did
Master Hughie say to that?'
II could see he didn't half like It," con-
| tnued Joan; but Ursula had declared
that If 1 wouldn't allow her to speak to
him, she would consult some responsible
person: as she was sure Hughie was mis-
managing things disgracefully. So to
keep her quiet I let her. l think Hughie
saw there was something in what she
said, though, because he Immediately
agreed to give me four hundred a year In
future instead Of three. Is it enough.
Uncle Jimmy. or has poor Hughie really
made a mess Of things. as people say?
Say it's enough, Uncle Jimmy! I know
he did his best, and I'd rather 60 with
out
Enough"
Jimmy Marrable turned and scrutinized
his ward closely, as If appraising her ex-
act value. Certainly she was very lovely.
He whistled softly. and nodded his head
in All enigmatical manner.
I'D have done 1t myself" he murmured,
darkly. Enough" he repeated. aloud.
My little girl, do you know how much
capital all income of four hundred year
representa-"
Joan shook her head. Her experience
Of finance was limited to signing a check
in the proper corner.
''Well, about ten thousand pounds"
"Hoo!' said Miss Gaymer, pleasantly