Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-25

most Of those who were overeating them
selves round the table to refer obviously
and left Hughie to be entertained by his
host and hostess.
you'll find her q queer handful,
| Hughie'' said Mrs. Leroy. as she sat
placidly embroidering an infantine gar
mefit in the morning sun on the veranda
i'm the corner Of which the current issues
Of the Spectator and Sporting Life, fully
unfurled together with two pairs OF per-
pendicular boot soles and cloud or cigar
smoke, proclaimed the fact that the army
gether-""but want you to remember all
the time that she is sound. You'll be
tempted to disbelieve that over and over
again, but don't! She has been utterly
spoiled by everybody. and you must give
her time to find her level again. Left to
herself she would be as good as gold.
don't say she wouldn't do something
rather outre now and then from sheer
animal spirits. but that doesn't count.
She's young. of course, so she can't-she
can't be expected to-you know what l
meanT'
Stand corn" remarked q voice from
behind the Sporting Life.
Thank you, dear, that's Just It. You
see. Hughie. men egg her on-they're all
alike; Jack and Mr.. DARCY are as bad as
any-and she gets excited and carried
away, and occasionally she does some
thing stupid and conspicuous. Five min
utes later she Is bitterly ashamed And
comes and cries her heart out to me. Peo-
pie know nothing about that. OF course;
all they do know is that she did the stupid
thing. and they call her a forward little
cat and q detestable imp. Don't you be-
lieve them, Hughie!
"Then you'll find her absurdly impulsive
and generous; you could have the clothes
off her back II you wanted them. The
other day she came home in floods OF
tears because of q story which a beggar
woman with a baby had told her. It was
the usual sort OF story. but 1t was quite
enough for Joey. She had carried the
baby herself for about two miles, and
given the mother all the money she had.
and made her promise faithfully to come
and see me the next day. OF course the
woman never turned up. and Joey's
blouse had to be burned-oh. that baby
but that sort Of thing doesn't alter her
faith in human nature. And she stands
the great test. Hughie. She hasn't got
one set Of manners when men are about
and another when they are not. But she's
a kittle creature. You must be tender
''Run her on the snaffie. old man
what?" corroborated the Sporting Life.
Hughie blew through his pipe medita-
lively.
Seems to me, Mrs. Leroy" he said. At
length, that I'm in for q pretty thick
time Do you think she's at all likely to
take to my present methods, or must /
learn some new tricks? Afraid I'm not
much Of q lady's man. Still. joey and
used to be great friends once. Won't that
count for something's?
"Tm not sure" said Mrs. Leroy. you
know how the young loathe being thought
young, or reminded Of their youth? Joey
Is just In that frame OF mind at present.
Because you were boy OF twenty-one
darkly suspect you Of desiring to continue
on the footing OF those days Don't do
that, for mercys sake! For all practical
purposes you are much nearer to each
other In ago than you we're
A chuckle reverberated through the
peaceful veranda, and the Spectator and
Sporting Life converged for q moment. as
If to share q confidence.
Jack" inquired Mrs. Leroy, sternly.
what were you saying to Mr.. DARCY
just now?'
'sNothin', dear" said q meek voice.
"Mr. Darcy. what was he saying to
your
Mr.. darcy took in q rest in the Spec
tator and replied. suavely:
He made use Of sporting expression.
dear lady, with regard to your plans Tor
our friend Marrable's future, which was
happily unable to understand"
Jack said Mrs. Leroy. in warning
tones. ''people who put their oar In I'M
invited get taken out for afternoon calls,
in the brougham. with both windows up!'
The Sporting Life was promptly expand
ed to Its full extent and silence reigned
again. Presently Mrs. Leroy observed,
cheerfully:
by the way, Hughie. you are home
Just in time for q dance-the hunt ball."
Hollow groans burst from behind the
newspapers.
'.Oh, look here!' said Hughie. frankly.
''I mean-not reallyT
Eyes. I promised Nina F1udyer to back
her up and bring bus load Of people.
Why don't you want to comes?
Go be continued tomQrrow)