Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-16

mated by the sharp. incisive. hut not
unpleasant accents Of Nine. Savaran. only
now and then broken i'm upon hv the
windy. incoherent rumbiing OF Rhode :
bass
Presently he discovered the couple he
meath a prid. Of India on the lawn. az a
discreet remove from the hotel Neranda:
Nine SaNarau sitting quite erect Ia the
mature Splendor of her toilet If the even
ing. her handsome. iuely modelled mead
held high. eyes scintillant. nostrils dis
tended with the lust Of conflict. her IAN
Suagc playing like heat lightning round
the head Of her unhappy son-in-law:
Rhode crouching low in a wicker lounge
chair. his detected head bent forward.
chin on breast. immense red hands grasp
ing the arms Of the chair. an expression
Of profound and melancholy helplessness
adumbrating the rich color OF his carNen
face. petrous eyes twin knobs ~ blue de-
Spair
Catching sight of Crittenden. lac stirred
and sat mp. with movement OF antici-
patory relief. Nine. SaXaran likewise
changed her position. moderating the in
flexible If semi-humorous. antagonism ~
her attitude toward Rhode. She beck
oned the younger man with sweeping
and vivacous gesture OF her cane.
Come here she demanded, sharply.
1T seems to me you've been an unrca-
sonably long time away.
Crittenden, by this time accustomed To
and rather amused by the old ladys
he came up and put himself into chair
near the two. But Rhode groaned dis
maly.
That's right" he commented. i'm a
hollow tone. Go or. Treat him like
a son-in-law. too. He can't help him.
self. either; he's only a poor. lone. de-
fenseless man."
BE quiet. Migrate madame counseled
him acdly.
''Oh. | say Crittcndcn interposed in
the interests of peace Can't you hold
off the dogs of until YOU hear my
news? I've great news. honestly. Where's
CYNTHIA"
Upstairs. dressing" madame informed
him. What Is your fine news. pray
Tnless''-with a curling lip-'you
intend To keep il TO yourself until that
pert chit deigns TO favor us with her
by no means said Crittenden. has
tily "Only-I wanted her to know.
think she'll be glad. 1 received a
cablegram this afternoon"
SO 1 understand. observed madame.
frfgidly. And you promptly rushed oe
without telling any one what II was
about.
I'm sorry. but / didn't know myself
You see, il was i'm code. and had 10 90
to the Office to find a code book. IL was
from my agent, Wroy: the man who han
dies my plays i'm New York. The story
of our adventure must have been cabed
home; l presume the newspapers have
DO you call that good news?
NO. madame. I merely mentioned IL as
a surmise to account for the fact that
Wroy knew my whereabouts - knew
where to address me. - At all events,
he's placed my last play on excellent
terms with one of the best and squarest
managers i'm the business. Best OF all.
from a point of view based on my pres
ent very impecunous state, he has
screwed a whopping big advance out OF
he fol II. cd fl
cation by cable to close the deal and de-
post money TO my credit at the bank.
That's going to help me lot, so 1 ven-
ture TO present my insignificant person
to your distinguished consideration as =
tit subject for congratulations.
Good work, growled Rhode.
I'm sure I'm very glad, Mime. Sa-
varan told Crittenden, warmly.
Again Rhode reused a little out OF his
disconsoation. Believe ME or not. as
you WILL" said he. earnestly, 'thems the
first kind words that has got past her
lips this afternoon. Honest
Madame preened and began to fan her
self complacently. why should l cast
my pearls before such you, George"
she inquired. delicately.
Rhode smote the air with an emphatic
red hand. That's just the way she's
been goin' on ever sinst | blew in here,
he declared.
Can you blame me. Mr.. Crittenden?"
the old lady entered. in her own defense.
Am | not justified in expressing my in
dignation when | discover l have warmed
a viper in my bosom these many years.
IF you mean me-" her son-in-law ex-
postulated. heatedly, you never
BE quiet-dot! Ever since 1 have
known him he has been deceiving me.
Mr.. Crittenden. Do you blame me for
feeling eXasperation?
But how have | deceived you? Now
go on and tell insisted Rhode. You
started this. Now go on and tell how
L h..e in
Simply by seeming to be what you
We're not countered madame. readily.
For years | have nursed a sneakipg
and unworthy admiration for you.
George; you seemed. you made yourself
out to be. such Thoroughbred black
guard, without single redeeming fea-
ture. that 1 actually liked you for the
fiawless perfection of your immortality.
And now, at this late day, you choose to
reveal yourself for a hypocrite; You show
me that beneath the placid mask OF your
iniquity YOU are, after all. and have al
ways been. a man of some feeling, with
heart and sensibility To human emo
tions sentiment, generosity, even - God
save the mark?-a rudimentary sense OF
humor.
"Mebbe' Rhode addressed Crittenden.
transfiXing him with hopeless stare.
you know what she's talkin' about. Im
damned if do. But let il rave. let it
rave
Nine. Savaran drew herself up with
dignity that went far to conceal the
twitching of her fine mouth. II sha M
stay here to he insulted." she remarked.
rising. I'm going up to lind Cynthia.
No. please, Mr.. Crittenden,'' she insisted.
when the young man. on his feet, offered
TO escort her to the door-one of the old
fashioned attentions OF which she had
shown him she was fond. Il wish you
TO stay. This beast of son-in-law OF
mine has something to say to you. l will
send Cynthia TO you to hear your good
news as soon as she's dressed"
TO he concluded tomorrow