Evening star., 1912-11-13
CHAPTER XXI.-Continued.

looked less like the ugly duckling Of her
freckled childhood. The renunciation of
her Paris finery was more than COM
pensated for by the sparkle of her eyes
and the flush of self-victory in her
cheeks. At the last minute, partly as
concession to her vanquished self, partly
as precaution against draughts, she had
thrown round her shoulders a web OF
transparent net. sparkling with embroid-
cred flowers. effecting in her plain black
frock a Transformation that would have
done credit to Cinderella's fairy god
mother herself.
Breathless and apologetic, Betty Joined
the others just as the elevator doors
opened. and Bob's dignified greeting and
his mothers make-believe chidings were
quickly submerged in the mysterious
hush that descends upon even the most
loquacious people on entering an elevator.
A table had been reserved not too near
the orchestra, and it's highly decorated
appearance, due to an Over-liberal IN
depreciation on the managers part OF
Bob's order for centerpiece OF roses
and two punches of gardenias, had Gre
ated a speculative interest in the little
party in advance Of its arrival. In the
language of the theater, it had prepared
an entrance.
AS the three took their places (amid
line stares at Betty, and critical mascu-
line and enthusiastic feminine stares at
Bob Mrs. Baxter. who had perhaps the
least to do with the attention they at
tracted. was the only one of the three
who really enjoyed it. Betty felt flush
of annoyance. not so much at the atten-
ton itself-Paris had accustomed her to
being stared at-but 1t was one thing TO
attract attention and quite another to bid
for 1t, and that monstrous floral center
MI ri1y largo cOrSARp
bouquets. fairly clamored for notice. Her
quick ear caught the words Awful
Americans, 'noveau riche.' In nigh
pitched feminine hiss close behind her.
faultless evening dress was saying. in a
bulky whisper, Musical comedy.
fancy" Betty would like to have asked
him to which branch of the peerage he
Anyway. she was thankful she had saved
herself from the pink and silver Niagara.
AS for Robert Baxter. concentrate as
he would on the amiable duties OF host
he could not forget his hurt-perhaps
only a scratch to his vanity. perhaps
something deeper. Whenever during that
uncomfortable dinner he looked at the
lovely girl sitting opposite and thought
Of the trick she had played him. he feit
the hurt afresh He recalled the first
secretary" at Ipping House. What fun
she must have had with him!-and that
letter-that fatuous letter. HIS face
burned as he thought OF it. But now
the tables were turned. He had 1ound
out her secret and she did not know he
knew. Now was his chance to pay her
back. Bob smiled in spite Of himself. 1t
was so like one of their childhood fights,
when Betty had a tremendous secret she
wouldn't tell Bob. and Bob invented
more tremendous secret he wouldn't tell
Betty. Then for a whole afternoon.
perhaps, they would not be on speaking
terms. Then there would be a crisis, fol-
lowed by an explosion, and they would
say terribly personal things to each
other. Then, all at once Betty's eyes
would fill with tears and Bob would be
seized with strange sensation, as If he
had suddenly become anTentireiy dif1er-
his arms round little Betty, and then, and
then-yes, they would kiss and make
friends.
Robert Baxter looked across the table.
Betty looked up at the same instant. and
for the fraction Of second their eyes
became entangled. and for just that won
derful fraction Of a second Robert Bax-
ter felt the strange sensation OF being
the other boy. Only for an instant.
NO he said to himself shes made
for 1t. Now / have her just where she
had me, and I'll make her sorry-very,
very sorry.
Mrs. Baxter was pushing back her
chair. she would have her coffee and her
cigarette upstairs. Eleanor had never
got used to the English lady's custom of
smoking in public. If Bob would take
her to the elevator he might return and
have his cigar in comfort at the table.
Perhaps Miss Thompson would show him
the promenade.
Betty got up quickly.
mo, no, Miss Thompson. l shan't need
you. I really shan't," Eleanor insisted.
II have my book and l shall be asleep
before I've read page"
Her son accompanied her to the lift.
At the door he kissed her. This ism
good might, little mother he said. af-
fectionately. Il shall be up in few
minutes"
He watched the slow-rising lift disap-
pear past the top Of the door and re-
turned through the almost deserted din
ing room to the table where Betty was
waiting for him. She was pouring black
coffee into two small Sevres cups from a
miniature silver coffee urn.
Bob settled himself in his chair and
| lighted a cigar. The dinner had been a
| wretched failure. and he felt quite In the
mood to give Miss Elizabeth Thompson
| her lesson.
| Two Jumps. please" he said as Betty
| prepared to hand him his cup.
The secretary smiled. That's just
| what / gave you, Mr.. Baxter"
You have telepathic mind, Miss
| Thompson"
Something in his tone caused her tu
| look up quickly.
Have /? How?''
How else could you know that 1 took
two lumps?''
| You seem to forget" she replied, that
| / have enjoyed the privilege of observing
| some OF your habits at Ipping House
| Perhaps you don't remember she added
maliciously, you were very much occu-
| pied.
That's unkind, Miss Thompson an
| swered Bob. Il recall you quite distinct
| ly You wrote a letter for me the morn
| ing after / met YOU"
| do you mean the letter to the brunette
| you met on the .boat?" said Betty. quietly
Girl l met on the boat?" he frowned
| as IL consulting q mental passenger list
| ''Oh, no. 1t was to a girl / once saw of
! on steamer-Quite a little girl-that is to
| say she was little girl then. 1t was a
| long time ago.
'She must be-well. she must be getting
| along"
AN old maid?'
He pursed his lips and nodded.
| Il thought you said she had a voice
was going to be a singer or something OF
| that sort?"
| ''She thinks she had voice. he cor
| rected. Perhaps she had one once. It's
astonishing, though. how long q voice will
! last, Miss Thompson. They say Patti
/ sang when she was over seventy"
| Betty suddenly became intensely pre-
| occupied in the business of refilling her
/ Tor oh tO ha