Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-16
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
Guide, Philosopher and Friend.
Well said the girl. what do you
IT think answered Loveland. Its a
beastly shame we're not put at the same
table,
Il mean Of things in general"
II prefer to think of you in particular
1T wouldn't pay said the girl, with
one of her whimsical smiles.
Loveland looked at her sharply. What
makes you say that?'' he wanted to know
Because it's true"
why do you insinuate that only want
to do things that pay?"
II told you I wrote stories, didn't L?
Well, to write stories one must make a
| study of man. I do. And I never found
it dull yet
I'm glad you don't find It dull where
glad you consider me a swine
/ Lucky I've just been in England and
heard other Englishmen talk, said the
| girl IF not, 1 should hardly under
stand that pretty expression
80 you've been making a study of
other Englishmen? What did you think
| of us?'
That you. as a race. are very tall and
tweedy. And that you aren't precisely
dissatisfied with yourselves
1t was the next morning, and they were
pacing up and down the long white deck
Loveland had joined Miss Dearmer as she
walked and she had not been repellent in
her manner. Yet. somehow. her friendli-
| ness did not encourage him to increasing
| conceit Even before she had made that
| little remark about studying man, he had
| vaguely felt that she read him as If he
were a cipher of which she had found the
key:
he said.
"You mean men like you? You see, 1
| know who you are now.
WHO told you anything about me?"
| Miss Milton"
ooh, you know her-daughter of the
white-faced woman, pretty, blushy little
| thing who sits at my table?'
| Yes. We were travelling in England
at the same time and met often at
hotels"
What did Miss Milton say about me-"
do you really want to know?''
Eyes. I'm not a coward
| "She said she wondered if you were 60
ing over to our country to try and marry
an American girl
by Jove! Well. supposing do try,
| what's your opinion? Do you think l
stand a good chance Of bringing it OFF,
| Its rather soon for me to judge"
You seem to have made up your mind
quickly about some Of my other qualities
About my wanting to do things which
pay, for instance
"You haven't forgiven me that? 1t
might pay to try and marry an Ameri-
can girl"
We'll" admitted Loveland, on an I'M
pulse, mo matter how much might want
| to. 1 couldn't marry one If it didn't pay.
| Now you are being frank replied
so do IT, said Loveland, when that
doesn't mean being disagreeable, as it
| generally does from ones relations, espe-
cially ones maiden aunts."
| England expects that every aunt will
| do her duty
Luckily you're not my aunt. so please
don't do yours if it's unpleasant. But
couldn't we be frank-and friends?
should like most awfully to have you for
my friend. You could be no end valuable
to me, you know, about giving me good
| advice, if you would"
She laughed. Il dare say. But could
you be valuable to me?''
| Loveland wished that he might dare to
be dangerous; but the idea of having her
for a friend, into whose pink shell of an
ear he could pour condolences, really at
tracted him-since her value, not being
cash value. could be realized by him in
no other way. And, of course, If she
| would promise to be his friend, 1t would
be caddsh to make love to her. He felt
very virtuous as he laid down this rule
for himself.
I'll let you study me as much as you
like and put me into your next story
LAS the villain?'
He looked rather blank. His conception
for himself was always the part of hero
| Z,
who're villains-in stories and plays" she
| went on. "A marquis-you are a mar
quis, aren't you-may, perhaps. be fell
low being"
please treat me as such, them" said
| Loveland.
| II will anyway till further notice Now
| you may begin to tell me frank things and
I'll give you frank advice about them, as
| friend"
How wish you were rich" exclaimed
l Thinking 10
times.
How do you know I'm not? Oh. of
course, Maj. Cadwallader Hunter found
out for you. He would! He's the sort
| Of man who takes a worm s-eye view of
the world. and of women and wealth. But
never mind If I'm not rich
II do mind. 1 shouldn't want you for
friend If you were.'
| You wouldn't-oh! Well, now you are
being still franker. aren't your
You said you liked people to be frank"
| "Ye-es.'
Il haven't offended you. have I?'
mo: I'm just getting used to you It's
quite interesting. What do you want my
advice about? Other girls. I suppose?'
1T may come to that" Loveland ad-
mitted.
ANY one in particular at the mo-
ment?''
-"Well, supposing were forced to marry
money, for the sake of-of-my estates
and all that, is there any one on board
you'd recommends"
you've two very eligible girls at your
| table"
Eyes. But hang 1t all, it's too much Of
q good thing having them at ones elbow
like that. you know. If only 1t were you,
instead
"On the principle of having the poor al
ways with one. But for that you'd have
to change and sit at mine. We're all poor
there I think. It's the ineligbles' table
for both sexes Would you care to
Gomez"
I'D care to, but I couldn't afford It,"
said Val. II must stop where I am and
take the goods the gods provide
"You mean the dining-room steward,
who arranged the Seats
What else did Miss Milton say about
me?'
."rhat you were very good looking-as
| we're being frank"
II hope you agreed with herr"
"Oh, yes. had to. Your looks are so
obvious-so much a part Of your stock
in-trade If you don't mind my saying so,
1t would be silly to deny that the shop
| windows are well decorated It was
apropos Of your marrying that she spoke.
| said g. handsome man oughtn't to be
driven into the obscurity of marriage nv