Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-05


important intelligence impaired by Lady
Honore Calthorpe at the tea was of such a
nature that Alice was radiant with joy. The
hour had come to mete out punishment for
things endured under the laws of the social
woodland Alice was woman!
Thurley had drifted far away, on thought
of the young Duke Karl. @Some of his ways
are very charming she said. II felt that
you thought so too"
Alice, who had spoken of the Count, be-
trayed new surprise. She felt she would
never in the least know Thurley, after all.
@Why, yes" she agreed; 3but there are
charms and charms and fortunately no man
has them all. Poor little Fora Norton mar
ried a very charming creature three years
ago. The last time saw her she looked at
me like Dresden china shepherdess and
sweetly lisped, Doesn't woman have to
love her husband an awful lot not to hate
him utterly?' I've thought of it often since.
"But," said Thurley, @aren't you glad
you're married."
Alice smiled. aMy dear, I like the changes
If climate. I'm hardy enough to endure
Them and they make me harder for more.
Now l think you'd better rest awhile, for
your three in tandem tonight"
@Ill rest if l can," Thurley answered, and
went to the care of her maids.
Chapter xLvI. Answering the Count
THURLEY did not rest; her brain was
too alive and the fever too active in her
pulses. Mysterious arrivals, plus an air OF
hurry and excitement, pervaded all the
house. She suffered herself to be dressed for
dinner in dainty gown that, with its soft
ness and its frailty, completely belied the
strength, the courage, and the resolution
with which she was SO amply endowed.
Major Phipps appeared in time for dinner.
He was, if possible, more tanned, more ex-
plosive, and more hearty than ever before.
His admiration for Thurley was likewise
more pronounced. He Dragged of her dis
covery quite immodestly, taking such noun
tains of credit to himself that Alice was
thoroughly Swallowed.
@The one truly noteworthy and creditable
achievement of my career, by George!" he
asserted. aReestablishes my mental acu-
men. 1t does, sir! I've said so repeatedly.
But, by the gods of battle! that satisfaction
is nothing as compared with the fatherly
affection engendered in my breast-fatherly
and brotherly and uncleish-and- and"
"Angelic," y Alice supplied dry!y. dts
very beautiful and touching. But will you
kindly indicate whether or not you will have
some peas, thereby providing moment for
hurley DluSheS TO SuDS1de!
Thurley's color, however, was destined
for the briefest subsistence. The Major kept
it flaming pleasurably for an hour, both dur
ing and after dinner; and eight o'clock
romped in upon them all, it seemed quite
prematurely, to ignite 1T again.
Alice herself was nervously perturbed and
trife feverish, when one of the servants
came to announce the arrival of Count Fiaschi.
The Major excused himself in haste and
promptly disappeared.
Alice, in one of her motherly moods, came
swiftly to her princess" and placed both
hands on her shoulders. Because he hap
pened to demand that he see you alone is no
reason why Fiaschi should be gratifed, I'M
less you wish it," she said. II feel as if per-
haps it might be much easier if remained
with you as chaperon all the time he is here"
"If the horrid creature should attempt
what he did before" Thurley halted,
wildly remembering the kiss that Fiaschi
had dared to misappropriate. @Of course
he wouldn't if you were there. And yet if
he's here to demand Perhaps the way we
have planned it is the best, after all. Your
sure that she-that everything is ready?"
leave that to me-" said Alice, little
pale, but smiling. @I'll 60 with you now and
excuse myself at once