Evening star., 1911-05-24

How much farther Is It at the rate we
are going?" she asked.
Another twenty minutes"
Another twenty minutesl" She re-
peated, thoughtfully. THAT IS quite a
long time isn't it?'
He flicked his whip across tho horses
ears
Yes. and I'm glad" he said. "Other-
wise. shouldn't have seen much Of you.
happen to know that I am taking in
Miss Caruthers to dinner, and dinner
takes up most OF the evening at these
functions
You are taking in Lois Caruthers."
she said. laughing. Il know of some one
who will be annoyed"
Stafford. you mean?''
And Lois herself"
He joined In her amusement.
Yes. l suppose So"
You have a good-natured hostess. I
dare say the arrangement could be al
tered If you wished it."
But I don't. They happen to be my
arrangements. you see''
OH she calculated, somewhat taken
back.
ION my left there win be Mrs James.
who. as you perhaps know. is stone deaf"
he went on. calmly. "On Miss Caruthers'
custom never opens his mouth except to
put something into 1t. Stafford will be
right at the other end of the table,
You are malicious" she said.
Not bit ! only go hard for what I
self and then went on: i've confided to
you my subtle. underground plans-why.
goodness knows. / am not usually OF
confiding nature. But really, Miss Cary.
| feel as though I had known you all my
life"
We have already plotted together" she
said. Possibly that forms some sort of
link between u.s.
He glanced down at her, and this time.
as she did not return his gaze, he was
free to study her calm, undisturbed pro-
by Jove" he exclaimed. half under his
breath. Il don't blame the young fool for
being taken in"
Her brows contracted sharply.
THANK you. 1 suppose that Is q COM
pliment"
1T is meant for one. BY the way, are
you really sure Of your success?"
Perfectly sure"
That's a good thing. We shall have
the laugh over old Stafford and his grand
mothers ideas If 1t comes off. All fear
is that the youths impress!onable mind
may lose its impressions as quickly as it
receives them
Il don't think SO. He did not seem
that sort
Besides" added Travers. with a sud
den drawl, "your face ts not one that
man forgets easily. Miss Cary"
She stirred very slightly in her seat It
was the 1nSIlnCtlV6 movement OF q woman
bracing herself secretly for coming
shock.
Really"
Yes, really. That was what I meant
to tell you the other day, but there was
no fitting opportunity. I recognized you
at once"
And I you" she returned.
He whistled.
80 we recognized each other and didn't
recognize each other. Rather queer
thing, eh?'
Again there was that scarcely notice
able stiffening of her whole body.
II see nothing queer about it. We were
both taken aback and after the first
shock we realized that to acknowledge
previous meeting was not to either Of our
advantages. You we're ashamed: and L
we'll, you can guess my reasons"
by Jove! You know, you really are
plucky!" he burst out. with genuine ad
miratfon.
THANK you. You have intinated that
to me already. and, as a matter of fact.
there is no question of pluck. I'm taking
the bull by the horns because 1 must. Mr..
Travers, ] can't live in the same place
with you and not know IL you are going
to explode the mine under our feet or not.
may have nerve. but haven't got nerve
enough for that
II see You want to know whether
am going to gossip or hold my tongue. Is
that it?
Suppose I gossip"
II see no reason why you should be our
enemy. so I don't mind admitting to you
that 1t would spoil our plans"
What may they be?"
Firstly. to get clear Of everything that
has happened. We've tried to do that in
different places all over Europe, without
success. Something or somebody has al
ways cropped up and driven us away. 1t
was just as though every one least con-
cerned in the matter had made up their
minds to track us down. At last mother
thought of India, and Of Marut in par
ticular. My father held g. small post
somewhere about here before we left for
England, and we make out that 1t is ten
der associations and all that sort Of thing.
OF course, We might be found out any
day. but perhaps people are not so curl
GUS out here and 1t gives US q rest
Might l ask why you take all this
trouble?"
II was going to tell you. Because my
mother wants what she calls position
she wants to mix with the best. We
couldn't do that In England for the rea-
sons I have given you AS for mel full
fill my destiny. I am seeking a suitable
husband"
(To be continued tomorrow)