Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-11

tnaC every time look at ner L want 10 KISS neT.
l never felt that way about anyone before. 1
want to kiss her awfully!'
He said it with such obvious sincerity that he
was greeted by burst of sympathetic laughter.
Its a very laudable and not startlingly origi-
nal desire" remarked Charters dryly "But I'll
stake any amount that Harry is the only lucky
beggar who has ever had it gratified. Nancys
pride would make Lucifers resemble poor rela-
ton.
"Poor child. let's hope that it may never have
fall murmured Jacqueline. "Nlay have some
more tea, Miss Hampdeno Do you know, men
actually chant her praises in my presence It's
a dangerous game If | were a man. | should
soon think of brandishing lighted torch about
key of gunpowder as praising one attractive
woman to another; particularly when you
praising a pink-cheeked debutante to a woman
who is trying to forget that there are such things
Don't you like herr demanded Mark.
Like her." considered Jacqueline stirring her
tea. Now that you speak of it, don't believe
that | do like her. But she is always alarmlngly
nice to me. | wonder why?'
"AIost people are afraid of you, said Charters.
"Ferhaps she thinks, my dear Jack, that there IS
very little to fear
"Perhaps-she does,' acquiesced Jacqueine
slowly, and she smiled vaguely.
Charters stared at her intently for moment;
but her eyes were yelled again-she was watching
the light play in emerald on her finger. He
rose abruptly.
Il must GO he said. at has been charming.
Jacqueline, the motor is outside. May drop you
sornewhere?'
Thanks, no." replied Jacqueline. "I'm having
much too nice time to go just yet. Ill see you
soon again. | suppose
"Srrely. Good afternoon, Spencer" He held
Prisclas hand for a fraction longer than neces-
sary looking at her with searching eyes. Then
he smiled almost gaily. "How old are you, Miss
Hampden?'
Priscilla smiled back at him bravely. "Old
enough to know better. Do you ever play games,
Lord Charteris?s
Il never stop" he said, and his eye wandered
to Jacqueline. Il may add that | am rarely
beaten. Here's to speedy meeting, Mademoiselle
Methuselah!3
MAY Time stride by in seven-leagued boots"
laughed Priscilla. Good afternoon, Lord Char
teris.
T EONARD has been talking in a most symbolic
IL manner" commented Jacqueline, and she
glanced mockingly toward the closing door; "but
he is sacrificing some of his inimitable fippancy.
Did YOU know that he was considered quite the
most depraved and delightful individual in Lon
don, Miss Hampdeno8
what an enviable reputation! rejoined Pris-
ella lightly. unfortunately, l have not been
able to verify it. l know him only through his
books
Then YOU ale more to be pitied than scorned.
Caesars books! They form protracted series of
youthful ndiscretions that far outweigh his more
mature and less literary ones. In fact, they out
weigh almost anything know
doesn't he write any more?' asked Pris-
ella
"If he does he manages to conceal it very skill
fully. | heard nice little maiden lady ask him
once why he didn't, and he told her in the most
chivalrous manner possible that he didn't believe
in profaning the altar fire with defled hands. She
turned light green with scandalized emotion, poor
thing
"The altar fre!" repeated Priscilla softly
"Then he wasn't always the most depraved and
delightful person in London?'
"Good Heavens, no. He was always uncanny
brilliant; but he used to be the very pink of pro-
priety | confess that l can't imagine it. But
they say that he used to go about like Saint
George and the dragon all rolled into one, belching
forth the fire of his ideals and the smoke Of his
convictions, and quenching them both, if they
became too ardent, with the gentle rain of mercy
and the milk of human kindness. He brought
peace in one hand and a sword in the other-and
it made it rather exciting, because you never
could he u,,ite SIRE which he was pOno to Sea