Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-26
CHAPTER IX.-Continued.

the true nature of the Cynthia 5 mission;
a reinsurance triiing that OF the
steward Acklins commonplace eXpiana-
ton had been sufficient TO quiet her most
serious apprehensions. With the eacour-
agement provided by the extraordinary
fashion I'm which she had become involved
in the affair, her ina gination. youthfully
susceptible and romantic, had invested ii
all with the alluring glamour of Ven
turesome lark The fairy godmother had
waved her magic wand-and IL the leg
endary golden chariot had turned out
prosaic ocean steamship. the bewild cred
Cinderella wasn't inclined To cayil. There
are prospects less calculated TO captivate
the mind of youth than that of voyage
over summer seas 10 an unknown port.
She dissembled her misgvings. but not
more admirably than madame-to assume
the latter similarly affected, as she prob
ably was. But the old lady was in nigh
feather with herself. Against opposition
she was having her own way. and she
had the additional JOY residing in the
knowledge she was making life mis-
cry for her bette rouge 1t was great
day for madame-she shone accordingly.
exchanging a running fire of amusing in
consequences with Perez. her opposite at
table, and between whites diverting her
self hugely by cooIly appropriating 10 her
complacent self all those artful hlandish-
lieflS diItSu past btSpih -
the gallant captain, AT the head Of the
table, to her right, for the sub]ugatlon
of poor Cynthia on her left.
THAT man, Lobb. my dear" she con-
fided to Cynthia later. while they pre-
pared for a sieSta in their staterooms-
that captain is such an infatuated ass
don't need to fret about him. But
Perez now there's an accomplished
scoundrel. Look out for him, child
Cynthia, amused. protested family
a ba SWaapipp this n
parently premature characterization. but
madame calmly brushed aside objections.
Tut! When you've lived as long
as l have my dear :! And not only
that, but what's he doing in this galley
if he's an honest man? . . dangerous
person. Cynthia-mark my words: much
more so than George Rhode-rnore brains.
depth Subtlety. . > There's a sort OF
elemental honesty about Rhodes wicked
ness that l find rather fascinating: he's
SO loaded with sin he's bowlegged carry
ing it, but he's no hypocrite. But this
Perez. he's just the kind to smile and
smile and be a villain STILL
Certainly one can't say that of Mr..
Rhode
Il should say not,' The old lady
chuckled vindictively. When they
started to assemble George Rhode his
sense of humor got lost in the shuttle
along with his sense of meum ct tuum.
-" Now she shifted abruptly, who
was that good-looking young fellow you
bowed toy
Something in madame's tone brought a
soft flush to Cynthia's face as she re-
Piled Mr. Crittenden-
"Crittenden? What Crittenden? The
Baltimore family?'
I'm sure 1 don't know"
rs he the dramatist?"
Il don't know" Cynthia was obliged
to confess again.
What's his first name2'
Il believe-Bruce Crittenden'
''Then he is the dramatist.'
Il really don't know
Butt seems strange to me. my
dear insisted the old woman. sharply.
that you should know a man well
enough to bow TO him and yet know posi-
lively nothing about him.
Thus challenged. Cynthia entered in
her defense a complete confession of the
manner by which she had become ac-
quainted with Crittenden and Rhode.
Nine. Savaran attending to the recital
with the comforting expression of
hanging judge. At its conclusion she
preened herself, elevated her brows,
pursed her lips and shifted disapproy-
ngly
You're very unwise young woman.
she announced. severely. THAT I'd prob
under the circumstances, has nothing TO
do with the case. Young women, par
ticulary those as attractive as You.
ought to have more sense. I've great
much as your silly imprudence brought
you to me, j haven't got the nerve to do
it. Which proves I'm a sentimental old
fool. But don't tell anybody; they'd
never believe YOU Now run along
and shut your door: | positively cannot
sleep with all this hair on my head. and
I'm not sure enough of your affection TO
let you me without my wig
There, now you know all; I've put my
self in your power completely you've
but to breathe a word OF that hideous
secret to humble my poor, silly, old
vanity to the dust. Besides, you'd have
found it out. soon or late. So what's the
Late in the afternoon she disturbed
Cynthia. who had dropped off into a
Semi-waking doZe in her berth. by ring
ing for Sdonie. The girl rose and re-
dressed at leisure, with perhaps little
fused to recognize. When at length pre-
sentable, she knocked at the communi-
eating door and was by madames voice
hidden to enter.
The retired dressmaker. in neglige. was
undergoing assiduous primpinS at the
hands of her maid
Don't wait for me. child" she ad
vised. Il shall be hours getting ready
to appear in public. there's no fool. YOU
know. like-like woman of sixty who
as little Senile as ]. And when this
animal has done her bungling best for
me. ] shall put in my routine hour writ
ing my memoirs
Cynthia said "Memoirs?' with tho nor
NAL ascending infection.
Merely another of my foibleS. my
dear; it amuses me to set down in writ /,
ing something of what I've learned III
the world. You've no idea what al
amazing amount of scandal percoiates
through fashionable dressmahing es- |
Establishment like Blessington's. There |
was a wicked twinkle in her eye as she |
tapped the leatherbound writing case
on the nearby stand. If that We're ever
to be put into print She rolled her |
fine eyes in eloquent horror. after thai
the deluge."
Then you don't mean to publish |
What. Submit my spelling and pune |
tuation to the public eye? / guess not"
She shook her old head vivaciously /
"Neverrr while | live. child. Simply for |
my diversion, To recall the time
when | was a real power in the land |
But remember.-not word Of this /
to that red-headed rascal of a son-in-law |
of mine. II he suspected-he'd sell his !
manuscript. He has a retl talent for /
blackmail, that one. -
There was look in Sidonie's small /
close-set eyes that Cynthia did not like; !,
a little flare up of avaricious. malicious /
fire. swiftly and prudently extnguished.
You should be very careful Cynthia |
began, slowly.
But Nine. Savaran's quickness of per-
ception was inimitable. Don't think for /
terrupted, instantly. Under lock and /
key-that's my motto where she's con-
cerned. Oh, we know one another-but
know Sidonie better than she dreams"
The lightning-quick flash of hateful fire
from the maid 3 eye signalized the entry /