Evening star., 1912-07-17

and resentful pang which invariably as
sails a pretty woman confronted by
rival Of equal IL not superior physical at
fractions, and more fortunate in the pos
session of a wardrobe better calculated
to set Off her charms.
She was what reporters are fond OF
calling a golden blonde. with very regu-
lar and handsome features. and a really
superb. IL slightly exaggerated, habit or
carrying her head and finely proportioned
body. The languorous grace with which
she moved Cynthia thought inimitable.
She seemed to resemble nothing so much
as a magnificent white moth with
womans head and shoulders: for she had
discarded her dust wrap before leaving
the car. revealing "a costume whose trail
ing draperies OF filmy white matched in
splendor even the wonderful scarf OF lace
and golden spangles falling neghgentiy
away from her perfect shoulders And
the last-named garment, the watcher
knew at q glance. was worth the cost OF
many a woman's happiness.
AS she reached the level on which Gym
thia and Crittenden stood waiting. her
glance embraced the two. at first indif
ferently. a suggestion OF lazy insoience
in her large and heavy-lidded eyes. then
recognizing the man with swift Hash
of surprise as swiftly veiled. She paused
the hint of an instant. looked from Crit
tenden to Cynthia and back again. and
nodded coolly
why. Bruce she drawled. in a soft.
rich voice, what a SURPRISE"
BY this time he had himself well in
hand: his bow was Immediate. X distant
and unaccompanied by spoken reply. But
the woman had not waited for this ac-
acknowledgement: already she was trailing
past them. moving slowly toward the
hotel entrance. while her companions
raced up the steps to overtake her.
To the latter Cynthia gave little heed
after receiving an impression that the
second woman was rather more plain
and plainly dressed than the other. and
that neither of the men was particularly
distinguishable from those types Of well
groomed and well set-up Americans. TO
the sight Of whom she had become ac-
customed in the last few months.
One Of the men. however. knew Crit
tenden. and threw him q greeting with
q cordial wave of his hand. en- passant:
Hello Crit! Thought you were out OF
town.
To this Crittenden responded. with an
air as casual and good natured: GOOD
evening, Tommy
And the entire party disappeared In the
direction of the restaurant, leaving Gym
thia to try to realize that the encounter. to
her intuitions so fraught with provoking
significance, had passed or In hardly
more than a minute of real time. Al
ready Crittenden. quite the same cool and
collected. friendly hammered young man
OF that afternoon and evening. was say
ing. in accents of amused detachment:
Fancy people who live in New York be-
ing surprised to meet one another at
Coney Island.' And already the Red
Man was rolling heavily back to them
in the wake OF one of his huge cigars:
while. the other car having drawn aside.
the important and bedizened funky was
ushering in Rhodes car. and with much
pomp and circumstance making ready to
open its door.
In SO far as she analysed the situation
at all. Cynthia laid at the door OF regret
that their pleasant companionship should
have been thus clouded. the blame for
the discomfort OF which she was SEN
sible. She was unsophisticated enough
to aim close to truth the shafts OF her
mental inquiry into the incident: to guess
that there had been love between that
moth woman and Crfttenden, where there
was love no longer. but only pain and
vain regret-for him, at least.
Whether or not because OF the discard
sounded by this untoward meeting in the
harmony of their association. they were
a silent company on the homeward way
The inventor of occupations. not q man
to dim his luster In the comparative OBJ
scurity of tonneau, elected to ride be-
side the driver, into whose defenseless
ear he poured tobacco smoke and Q
stream of conversation In about equal
proportions throughout the ride. What
he said was. however. couched In his ia
yorite rumble. merging with the purrfng
of the motor. indistinguishable to the
two behind. Crittenden. after one or two
abortive attempts to be amusing: iapsed
into thoughtful silence. and Cynthia was
quite too tired to talk. Besides. she was
content with her thoughts: they occupied
her not unhappily. once she succeeded In
laying the memory of the white moth
woman. Her bent was toward optimism:
she saw a sanguine promise In the NOR
row. not in the least doubling that she
would secure employment as companion
to this Nine. Savaran. or that having IL
she would find it congenial. Her future
t,;H, nd Al ta
thia. she was young enough for that.
Drowsily conscious. Cynthia reused only
when the machine drew UP before her
lodgings.
her to alight Rhode rose and turned.
proffering a great. moist paw over the
back of the seat. As her own hand was
smothered in its fervid grasp 1t encoun-
tered a slip of cardboard.
M card" explained Rhode IF you
don't cop out that job t'morrow mornin'
le' me know about it soon's you can.
G'dnight. Hope you enjoyed the ride.
1T was delightful she told him. pret-
tily. You've been very kind-you have
both been very kind. ! can't thank
either of you enough.
Don't mention it, said the inventor
of occupations. and sat down again.
Her fingers rested an instant in Crit
tenden's palm as she descended to the
sidewalk. He moved a pace or two with
her toward the brownstone stoop
IF possibIe-and If ! may he said
'I'll lunch at Suzannes tomorrow Shall
you he there?"
''I'll try she said. bit doubtfully.
I'm anxious to know about Nine. Sa-
varan." he pursued. You won't
mind?
Indeed" she said. disturbed by some
thing in his attitude, II shall be glad.
And--oh. thank you, thank you,
Mr.. Crittenden."
His smile was curious. as revealed by
lf-i. -vrafIA
somehow wistfully whimsical.
Its you who were kind" he insisted.
quietly. .t0 take pity on my loneliness
Good night, Miss Grayce."
TO be continued fOmorrOW.l