Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-03
CHAPTER Nv.
Even the Guests Take Notice.

When Dick had left her, Gladys. the
maid. had experienced the peculiar irrta-
ton which accompanies a reprimand
trifle above ones powers of analysis. The
effect is much like having ones hat re-
peatedly knocked awry in a crowd. At
first the incident is treated as an acct
dent. then as an ill-timed jest. but it soon
becomes a fiendish indignity. and in the
end one is convinced that it is an ac-
cursed conspiracy whose object is the
overthrow of bright and loving spirit.
Gladys pouted openly and. if possible
with emphasis She had taken no lib
| critics. she had not attempted to f1irt. she
had merely striven to make the welcome
to the returning heir more homellke. and
he had taken the opportunity to act
smart. She deSplSed people VINO acteu
smart.
She seated herself in the rear of the
hall and proceeded to think dark and
gloomy thoughts about the house OF Ban
nngton. She was sick and tired of living
at place which had no feminine super
/ vision. OF course, the work was lighter,
but then there was never any excitement;
and if the heir was going to come back
and act smart, why she would leave. and
that was all there was to II. In the cir
/ Gle where her social instinct found it's
legitimate outlet Gladys was a popular
belle and popular bellies are much the
same regardless of the location and size
of their orbits.
AS she sat thus the three guests came
down the staircase. and the German and
the Russian turned into the library, while
the count crossed the hall and entered
the drawing rOOm
The German was short and stout with
light hair and blue eyes. He wore
beard which was permitted to work out
it's own scheme of evolution. and his
body indicated that his impulses were not
,xlxx Inn, J{n
appeared to be about fOrty-flve. and in
spite of his discourse it was hard to be-
lieve that he had found existence to be
one long-continued torture
h The Russian was of another type. tall.
gaunt and dark, his eyes cleaned with
the fervor of mystic and rellgionist.
His pale face was of a cast common to
the martyrs of all ages: his flesh rested
but loosely on him. and it was plainly
evident that it had very little voice in his
final determinations. His raiment was
dark and gave mute testimony that his
mind had been on more important mat
tiers during. its selection.
But the count was of a different type to
u either of these. He was of fair height,
graceful, debonair and perfectly seif-pos-
sessed. He wore a silver-gray suit. and
his tie matched his socks and the dainty
figure in his shirt. His eyes were dark
and prone to ask questions of a familiar
and personal nature. His association with
the companions already mentioned seemed
fragrant affront to the birds OF
feather theory.
Emil filled and lighted a short pipe.
pulled a huge volume from the bookcase
and seated himself in the most comfort
able chair with satisfied grunt. ivan
rested his elbow on the window Sill, his
chin on his hand, and gaZed wistfully on
the lawn. Gladys recalled some neglected
duties in the drawing room and consci-
cautiously fastened to attend to them.
The count was smoking cigarette and
idly criticised the furniture. He did not
take offense at the intrusion: instead, he
sought to relieve the maids very per-
ceptible embarrassment by greeting her
with soothing smile.
II beg your pardon. SIR said GLADYS
II did not know there was any one here
/ wished to arrange things a little, but
another time will do just as we'll.
The eyes of the count fell on the eyes
of the maid in a long. bold gaze. AS the
color rose in her cheeks he smiled know
ingly, and when she turned to leave the
room he said. kindly, Don't mind me.
Go right along and make your changes.
The voice of the count was musical, and
although his remarks were ornamented
sion was that of culture rather than for
eigness.
"Oh. shouldn't like to disturb you"
answered Gladys. who was thrilling nerv-
ously-and enjoying the sensation
What is your name. my pretty maid?"
asked the count, dropping into a chair
and leaning his head on the tufted back
luxuriously.
"My name is Gladys" answered the
maid, in a low tone, while her eyes fell
to the floor
"Gladys!" repeated Lorrain, turning the
name over with the relish of a connois
seur. "Gdadys-how perfectly appropri-
ate"
The maid bushed thankfully without in
the least knowing why. She felt vaguely
that she was standing on the brink of an
affair. Its waters appeared cool and in
vting, and she hoped that she would slip
Have you been long in the Bennington
family" asked Lorrain
| .Only little over year" replied the
maid, who was busily moving pieces of
furniture a foot or so from the positions
they had maintained for several decades
THAT is the way in your country. Now
in mine the retainers remain generation
after generation, and it is all one large
family
oh some of them do over here, said
Gladys. 1.-The rest Of the help has been
here long time; but l should get weary
to death Of it. l was educated to be
stenOgrapher, but my health gave out
Il could see at glance that you were
far above your station" said the count
gravely. But them" he added, after a
thoughtful pause. I'VE all have to serve
society in some capacity, and all labor is
equally honorable"
Gladys stole a glance at the counts
slender white hands as he paused for an
other moment before asking abruptly:
The Bennington family-it Is rather
wealthy, is 1t not?'
.Oh, mercy, yes" answered Gladys
largely. "They have tons and tons of
money, but they don't do anything with
! it. l never heard of them giving party
but / suppose it is because there are no
ladies in the family
Does Mr.. Bennington go into society
much?"
Never" replied Gladys, scornfully.
HE might just as we'll be poor the way
he lives. His clothes always look alike,
he never goes to the opera, and he moves
between his Office and this house as regu-
lar as though he was an interurban
train"
Prom all the money he is reported to
have given away in charity he must
have a kind heart" suggested I.orrain
"Oh he's not so bad" admitted GLADYS
at nm sure from the way he acts that ba