Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-08

"You are the only person in the hotel,
Rice, whom can take into my confidence
she said. Il shall be quite outspoken. Do
you think Mr.. Waverton would come and
see me if l sent him note? Mrs. Daunt
and have been discussing matters, and /
| feel that ought to thank him for saving
Kathleens life
Mrs Daunt some three years older than
ner sister, and so happily married to New
York banker that she was already crystalliz-
ing into sedate matronhood, shook her head.
"Of course we are profoundly grateful tor
Claude's action, and we cannot help admir-
ing his gallantry: but my own view is that
It would be best to say these things in let
ter she declared.
THE valet, veritable Solomon in settling
disputes below stairs, was conscious OF
problem that called for careful handling.
Like most men of his class, he was intensely
loyal, even to a bad MASTER and Waverton,
though vicious and dissolute, had never been
ungenerous. Then, he was sorry for Mrs.
Waverton, and would be proud and glad if
the unhappy couple were reunited. Finally,
there was Mrs. Daunt, who represented all
that he thought most fitting and seemly in
family life. He touched his clean-shaved
upper lip with the tips of the fingers of his
right hand, and the left hand went to the
small of his back. The staff at 64th-st., or
The Dene, the Waverton estate on Lake
Champlain would have known instantly
that a judicial announcement was immi-
nent. 1t came: he rejected Mrs. Daunt's
counsel summarily.
at nd be a fine thing, Ma am, if you an
Mr.. Claude could meet an have friendly
talk" he said.
Mrs Daunt smiled, not unkindly; for
-ba E1yaJ o,,J recpacted Rice -b1rt the
Younger woman raised her beautiful eyes
and looked at him fixedly.
"Are you saying this because OF my baby S
rescue, or for other reaSOnS:" she asked visit
fully.
Up went Rice's right hand again: the left
mad not moved. "Mr Claude is greatly
changed since his accident, Ma am, he said.
@In what respect? You may speak plain
iy. without fear of giving offense or of your
words being repeated"
dts hard to explain, but he's different
man"
@Do you think he-regrets?"
Now, Rice was at loss how to phrase his
thoughts; but he essayed the task valiantly.
ats not so much that, Ma am, as in other
ways. He hardly touches drop of liquor
Just glass of wine for dinner, an it's always
claret, never champagne. He talks differ
entity. And happen to know he is sorry for
some things, such as-well, such as recent
matters in Florida. If you'll excuse my way
of putin it, Ma am, he seems to have wiped
the slate with a wet sponge
1Women's lives are not states, Rice, y
broke in Phyllis Daunt, her tone betraying
a most pronounced disbelief in her ex-
brother-in-law's conversion.
mo, Ma am, an Mr.. Claude might be
very angry if he heard that | called him a
wet SPONGE" said Rice seriously.
Mrs. Daunt laughed outright, and even
Doris smiled.
ave are discussing methods, not personal
ities," said the younger woman, correcting
her sister rather than the valet. THANK
you, Rice You have confirmed an opinion
formed, even after one hasty glance. Mr..
Waverton must have been very i'll at Palm
Beach?'
"He was indeed, Ma am." Rice nearly
added something of the recent talk between
Waverton and himself; but he repressed the
impulse @Least said soonest mended, was
one of his axioms.
"Very we'll l shall send that note.
Please oblige me by seeing that my-that
Mr. Waverton receives it as soon as he comes
in | understand that he is out at the mo-
ment: otherwise could not have brought
you here"
WHEN Waverton returned to the hotel
G.x1 Jn1 h., II