Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-07
CHAPTER XX.-Continued.

Laverick felt an absurd pang of jealousy
as he handed back the program
Il should say" he declared. that this
was simply some young man who was
trying to scrape an acquaintance with
you because he was or had been a friend
of Morrison's.'
I'm that CASE answered Zoe, he is
very soon forgotten
She tore the program into two pieces,
and Laverick was conscious of a ridicu-
lous feeling of pleasure at her indiffer-
ence.
IF you hear anything more about him, >
he said, you might let me know. You
are a brave young lady to dismiss your
admirers so summarily."
laughing. softly.
Laverick told himself that at his age he
was behaving like an idiot, nevertheless
his eyes across the table expressed his
appreciation of her speech.
Tell me something about yourself, Mr.
Laverick,' she begged.
For instance?"
First of all. then, how old are you?"
He made grimace.
Thirty eight-th nine my next birth
day Doesn't that seem grandfatherly to
your
You must not be absurd she eN-
claimed 1T is not even middle-aged
Now. tell mellow do you spend youl
time generally? Do you really mean that
you go and play cards at your club mos,
evenings
Il have good many friends and 1 dine
out quite great deal.
You have no sisters?
Il have no relatives at all in London,
he explained.
1T is to be a real cross-examination,
she warned him.
Il am quite content" he answered &c
ahead but remember, though, that l an
very dull person"
You look SO young for your years.
she declared. Il wonder. have you evel
been in love-
He laughed heartily.
about a dozen times, ! suppose. why.
Do seem to you like a misanthrope?'
II don't know she admitted, heSitat-
ingly. You don't seem to me as though
you cared to make friends very easily
/ lust fe.t | wanted to ask you. Have
you ever been engaged?
Never he assured her.
and when was the last time She
asked. that you felt you cared a little
for any one?"
1T dates from the day before yester-
day." he declared, filling her glass.
She laughed at him.
''Of course it is nonsense to talk to you
like this,'' she said. You are quite right
to make fun of me-.
"On the contrary he insisted. Il am
very much in earnest.
Very well, them" she answered, III
you are in earnest you shall be in love
with me. You shall take me about. give
me supper every night, send me some
sweets ard cigarettes to the theater-oh,
and there are heaps of things you ought
tn do If Won really mean it, she wound
up.
IF those things mean being fond of
YOU" he answered, 'Fll prove 1t with
pleasure. Sweets. cigarettes, suppers,
taxicabs at the stage door
1T all sounds very terrible she sighed.
It's horrid little life"
yet, l suppose you enjoy it, he re-
marked, tentatively.
II hate it, but l must do something.
could not live on charity If / knew any
other way | could make money l would
rather. but there is no other way. l
tried once to give music lessons. l had
few pupils, but they never paid-they
never do pay" ;.
Laverick said, thoughtfully. ''Of course,
1t is occupation you want. So far as re-
CARDS the monetary part of 1t, still owe
your brother a great deal
She shook her head, interruptlng MIN
with a quick little gesture.
No, no. she declared Il have never
complained about Arthur. Sometimes he
made me suffer. because / know that he
was ashamed Of having a relative in the
chorus, but / am quite sure that do not
wish to take any of his money-or of
anybody elses,'' she added. Il want al
ways to earn my own living
For such a child he remarked smil-
ing you are wonderfully independent.
.Why not?" she answered, softly 1T
is wears since / had any one to do very
much for me. Necessity teaches us a
good many things. Oh, l was helpless
enough when it began!' she added, with
a little sigh. II got over it. We all do
Tell me-who is that woman and why
does she stare so at your
Layerick looked across the room. Louise
and Bellamy were sitting at the opposite
table. The former was strkingly hand
some and very wonderfully dressed. Her
closely clinging gown, cut slightly open
in front, displayed her marvellous figure.
She wore long pearl earrings and hat
with white feathers which dropped over
her fair hair. Laverick recognized her
at once.
TT is Mile. Idiale.' he said. 1.-THE most
wonderful soprano in the world"
why does she look SO at you?" Zoe
asked.
Laverick shook his head.
II do not know her." he said. Il know
who she is. of course-every one does.
She 10 Servian and they say that she Is
devoted tO her country. She left VieNna