Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-28
Cleveland Moffett and Oliver Herford.
CHAPTER VIII.-Continued.

CHAPTER VIII.-Continued.
Whether this last was meant as slur
on Harriet or a compliment to Martin
Luther Betty never discovered, for at
this moment the luncheon came to an
end with murmur of talk as to after
noon plans. The countess, having flashed
her destinations on young Baxter. now
carried him Off with a suggestion OF olga
rettes. Mrs. Baxter proposed drive and
offered to drop the Merles at st. Timo-
thy's. which offer Harriet accepted for
herself alone, explaining that the walk
would do HoratiO good and would allow
him to continue his oratorical meditations
uninterrupted. This proved to be an I'M
fortunate decision.
Betty returned to her work in the IL
brary, where she was glad to be alone,
away from the chatter and the trivial
tiles, alone with her thoughts; yet not
alone. for every corner Of this great room
seemed alive with memories OF the morn
ing, memories Of him. What q very great
difference few hours had made! How
extraordinary that this vigorous young
American, whom she had not seen for
years. should have NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. In
tending to do 1t, without dreaming that
he had done it-should have-well. what
had he done? What was the truth about
her feeling for this playmate OF her child
hood, Bob Baxter?
Does a woman ever admit, even to
herself. that man has won her heart
until she has good reason to believe that
she has won his? Does a pretty woman.
a young and charming woman. ever ad-
NIT such a thing? Probably not, and
Betty was no exception to this rule of
feminine reserve But there were two
significant indications in her thoughts.
one that she did not in the least enjoy
the Countess Hates flirtatious tenden-
that now she could not break her in
cognito, even if she would. Her pride
forbade it. To let Bob know that she
was his old friend, Betty Thompson.
she admitted that she was not charming
or pretty enough to attract him simply
as Miss Thompson. No, decidedly she
would not tell him.
Betty had just arrived at this self
respecting conclusion when there came
a step outside and the curate entered.
Il beg your pardon he began, timidly.
II am the Rev. Horatio Merle, one Of
the relatives. I believe you are Miss
Thompson. the new secretary"
YES" said Betty.
HOra ito consulted his watch and paused,
as if making an arithmetical calculation.
Let me see, the bazaar opens at half
past B. My watch says five minutes past
3, which means that it is really a quar-
ter-past .. like to keep my watch fifty
five minutes ahead OF time Miss Thomp-
son." he explained. with a bright smile.
"Why not an hour ahead?" she laughed.
mo. no! An hour would be too much.
Fifty-fve minutes gives me exactly time
don for going into these details. The
point is I had just started for the ba-
zaar-you see. I like to go leisurely-and
/ was passing the lodge when 1 met a
young woman, a fellow-countrywom
of yours-my wife mentioned to me, Miss
Thompson. that you are an Americana"
Yes, I'm an American
"Ah. Very fortunate! Extremely for
tunate!" He stood twisting his long fin
gers together in great satisfaction. 1.-THE
lean, a most deserving person, but-er-
she has met with reverses. and-er-Mrs.
Baxter has been kind enough to let her
stay at the lodge and do what she can
tO-er-aSSiSt."
Il see," nodded the girl
Her name is Hester Storm, and, as
she naturally feels lonely here. being an
American. I thought that you would
speak to her and-er-perhaps encourage
herr"
"Of course. I would"
Il may add that Miss Storm rendered
me an important service the other day
when l was sore beset in-er-IN explain
that later on. She is outside now, in fact,
she seems anxious to meet you and-er-
may To-
Certainly" said Betty. with cordial
sympathy and, following the curate to-
ward the conservatory. she made out the
figure Of a woman in red cloak, a
strangely familiar red cloak, sharply con-
trasted against the foliage. and as the
woman turned and came forward Betty
saw, with a start of recognition. that it
was her companion on the train. Jenny
Regain.
This is the young woman-Miss Hester
Storm said the curate.
Miss Hester Storm?" repeated Betty.
in surprise, while the other threw her a
beseeching glance for silence.
Yes. An interesting name. is it not?''
chartered Merle. quite oblivious to the
tween the two women. She has been
travelling with a Russian princess. but
the princess drank-it was very unfortu-
nate. and-Hester will tell you about it
won't YOU, my dear?"
I'll tell her all about it, answered
the dark-eyed girl, and she managed,
with the pleading of her eyes, to give the
words a double meaning.
This being arranged, Horatio took a
hurried departure, announcing that he
must have time to compose his mind be-
fore the Progressive Mothers address.
'Well?" questioned Betty, when the
two women were alone.
Don't blame me, Miss Thompson, until
you've heard what I have to say" beg
ged Hester.
He called you Hester Storm
II know, but
"Your name is Jenny Regan-isn't it?'
please let me speak. I couldn't give
my real name-after what happened on
the train It's been printed in the pa
pers, and-don't you see. nobody here
would have trusted me? It's terrible to
be suspected of a thing when when
you're innocent
Betty pondered this. 'I suppose that
is true she agreed, and Hester breathed
more easily. At least she was to have a
chance to tell her story, some story, and
her inventive faculties had never failed
her yet. 1t was a pity If she couldn't
cook up a tale that would satisfy this
rich girls curiosity without arousing her
suspicion.
'You want to know how I happen to
be here?' anticipated Hester.
Betty admitted that she would like to
know this, and straightway the other be-
gan her extemporization. the general
lines Of which, it must be said had been
planned in advance for she realized that
her benefactress was no fool. 1t was
Simp1v a pIauSihle continuation NJ tor