Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-24

ell At the bidding OF an imperturbable
figure In . blue uniform. he felt that he
was indeed home once more.
Presently he hailed q taxicab. ana
new toy. to q railway station. where
John Alexander Goble. having previously
superintended the placing OF his masters
luggage In the train with q maximum OF
precaution on his part and minimum or
profit on the porters), was waiting to SEQ
him OF.
Hughie dismissed his retainer to take
charge of his newly acquired fiat until his
return. and having secured his seat. FOL.
lowed his invariable custom and went for.
ward to view the engine. He noted with
interest that compound locomotives
seemed TO have made little or no progress
In the country's favor. but that the pre1u-
dice against high pitched boilers and six
coupled wheels had disappeared.
He then made his way to the refresh
ment room-where alone he noted times
devastating hand appeared to have stood
still--and having lunched frugally on
something from under q glass dome.
which the divinity behind the counter, In
response to a respectful inquiry. brusque-
ly described as 'fourpence," together with
as much bitter beer as remained after
the same damosel had slapped its con-
tanning vessel playfully down on the fn-
gers of a pimply but humorous youth who
was endeavoring to tempt the appetites OF
two wizened sardines. exposed for sale on
q piece OF toast. with a hard-boiled esq
from a neighboring plate. returned to his
locked In by q porter. who displayed an
amount OF cheerful gratitude for six
pence that an American baggage man
would have considered excessive at dol
lar Here, with a rug, pipe and q
quantity Of illustrated papers. most OF
which had come to birth since he had left
England. and all Of which appeared to de-
pend for their livelihood on the exploita-
t.
settled himself for a considerable run
along the Thames valley.
This done. he took two letters from his
pocket. One had been opened already. It
was an obviously feminine production and
said:
"Manors, Monday.
Dear Hughie: We are all thrilled to
hear that you are home at last. You
must come down here at once and be our
guest until you have looked round. and
then you can renew all our acquaintance
At one go. There are lots OF nice people
with us just now. so come! You Will be
feeling lonely. poor thing, landing In this
country after SO many years, and, OF
course, you will miss poor Mr.. Marrable
sadly. 1 suppose you have heard all
about his death from the lawyers by this
time. or perhaps you saw 1t In the papers
"Mr. darcy is here, also Joan. OF
course. My husband, too, wants to have
the pleasure OF entertaining you-that is.
II you are prepared not to shoot him on
sight! / don't think, though. that / shall
be able to command your regretful anec-
tons any more. One look at me will be
sufiicient for you. Alas, have two chins
and three babies!
However. come downson Saturday. and
you can size US all up. I suppose you
Manors and look after Joan until you or
he came home again: SO you won't play
the heavy landlord and evict us on the
''''' VIII '''' MILDRED LEROY"
Hughie put this epistle away with .
slightly sentimental sigh. II did not seem
30 very long since he had been organising
Freshwater's honor. Now-two chtns and
three babies! Eheu, fugaces!
The other letter had not yet been
opened and Hughie broke the seal. The
contents consisted OF several pages OF
Jimmy Marrable's stiff, upright hand
writing. The date was nearly three years
old.
81 am leaving England against began
next week, and doubt very much IL
shall ever come back. 1t is not in the
breed to die in bed OF something etu6y.
The only tie that keeps me here Is joey.
and she is too much occupied at present
In collecting scalps to pay much attention
to the old ruin who brought her up. In
about four years time she may be at to
live with again-at present she is not. and
refuse point blank for the time being
to play second fiddle to any young cub
who ever wore magenta socks and q
pleated shirt. think II quite time that
you came home and took her in hand.
Indeed, II you don't appear on the scene
within two years have given instructions
that you are to be ferreted out and asked
to do so. When you do return you Will
receive this letter. in which / am going to
set down the manner In which I wish my
estate to be administered on Joey'S be-
half il 1 don't come back.
(To be continued tomorrow)