Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-18
CHAPTER XXX.
The Contest for the Papers.


The Contest for the Papers.
Laverick. sitting with Zoe at dinner.
caught his companion looking around the
restaurant with an expression In her face
which he did not wholly understand.
Something is the matter with you this
evening. Zoe" he said. anxiously. Tell
me what it is You don't like this place,
perhaps?'
"Of course do
TT is your dinner, then. or me?' he per-
sisted. Come. out with IT. Haven't we
promised to tell each other the truth al
ways?"
The pink color came slowly into her
cheeks. Her eyes. raised for moment
to his. were almost reproachful.
You know very well that It is not any
thing to do with you,' she whispered
You are too kind to mo all the time.
Only" she went on. a little hesitatingly.
don't you realize-can't you see how dif-
ferently most Of the girls here are
dressed? 1 oon't mind so much for my
self-but you-you have so many friends.
You keep on seeing people whom you
know. l am afraid they will think that
/ ought not to be here"
He looked at her in surprise, mingled.
perhaps. with conjunction. For the hrst
time he appreciated the actual shabbi-
ness Of her clothes. Everything about
her was so neat-pathetically neat, as II
seemed to him in one illuminating mo-
ment Of realization. The white linen COL
lar. Notwithstanding its frayed edges, was
spotlessly clean. The black bow was
carefully tied to conceal its worn parts
Her gloves had been stitched a good
many times. Her gown. although It was
tidy. was old-fashioned and had distinctly
seen its best days. He suddenly recog-
nized the efYort-the almost deSpairfnE ef-
fort-which her toilet had cost her.
II don't think that men notice these
things he said. simply. ITO me you look
just as you should look-and / wouldn't
change places with any other man In the
room for great deal"
Her eyes were soft-perilously sofas
and a faint smile struggling at the cor
ners Of her lips. A wave OF tenderness
crept into his heart. What brave little
child she was:
you will quite spoil mo II you make
such nice speeches" she murmured.
Anyhow" he went on, speaking with
decision, $50 long as you feel like that,
you are going to have q new gown-or
two-and a new hat. and you are going to
have them at once. They are going to
be bought with your brothers money,
mind. Shall come shopping with you?"
She shook her head
Mind. 1t is partly for your sake that
give in" she said. TT would be lovely
to have you come, but you would spend
far too much money. You really mean It
alp
Absolutely" he answered. 1T insist
upon it,
She leaned toward him with dancing
eyes. After all, she was very much OF
child. The prospect Of a new gown,
now that she permitted herself to think
Of it. was enthralling
II might get coat and skirt" she re-
marked. thoughtfully. land simple
white dress. A black hat would do for
both Of them. them
much" Layerick declared. His stock Is
going up all the time"
Tell me your favorite color" she
begged. confidentially.
Il can't conceive your looking nicer
than you do In black" he replied.
She made a wry face.
II suppose It must be black" she muir
INJURED. doubtfully. 1T is much more eco
lromical than anything
She broke off to bow to a stout, RED,
faced man. who. after rude stare, had
greeted her with a patronizing nod.
Laverick frowned.
''Who is that fellow" he asked.
"AIr. Heepnan, our stage manager.
Zoe answered, little timidly.
els there any particular reason why ne
should behave like q boor?" Laver7ck con-
tinued, raising his voice little.
She caught at his arm in terror. The
man was sitting at the next table.
Don't, pleased" she implored- HE
might hear you: He is Just behind
there"
Laverick half turned in his chair. She
guessed what he was about to say and
went on, rapidly.
He has been so foolish" she Whis-
pered "He has asked me SO often to go
out with him. And he could get me sent
away II he wanted. any time. He almost
threatened 1t the last time l refused
Now that he has seen me with you he
will be worse than ever"
a peculiar flash in his eyes. The man
was certainly looking at them In a rude
manner.
''There are so many Of the girls who
would only be too pleased to go with
him." Zoe continued. in terrified under
tone. Il can't think why he bothers me-"
81 cam" Laverick muttered. Lets
forget about the brute
But the dinner was already spoiled for
Zoe, so I.averick paid the bill few min
door Of the theater with her. Her little
hand, when she gave IT to him at parting.
was quite cold.
I'm as nervous as I can be- she con-
fessed. Mr.. Heepman will be watching
all the night for something to find fault
with me about
Don't you let him bully ,ou.'' Laverick
begged
Thanks so much for my dinner"
She turned away with brave attempt
at q smile, but II was only an attempt.
Iaverick walked on to his club. There
was no one in the dining room whom he
knew and the cardroom was empty. He
PLAYED one game Of billiards. but he
piayed badly. He was upset. His nerves
were wrong lie told himself. and little
wonder. There seemed to be no chance
Of rubber at bridge. so he sailed out
again and walked aimlessly toward
Covent Garden. Outside the opera house
he hesitated and finally entered. yielding
to an impulse the nature Of which he
scarcely recognized. While he was in-
curing about a stall a small printed no
tice was thrust into his hand. He read
it with slight start.
Mile. Idiale will not be able
to appear this evening. The part Of De-
lilah will be taken by Mile. Blanche Te-
moigne. late of the Royal Opera House.
st. Petersburg. .
Ten minutes later Iaverick rang the
hell of her fiat in Dover street. A strange
answered him.
II came to inquire after Mile. Iolale'
Laverick said
The man held out a tray on which was
already a small heap OF cards. Laverlck.
however retained his.
II should be glad II you would take
mine in to her." he said. II think 1t IS
just likely that she may see me Tor
The servants attitude was one OF civil
but unconcealed hostility. He would have
closed the door had not I.averick already
passed over the threshold.
Madame is not well enough 70 receive
IL .yn~A he