Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-16

lI<1V9aW he met at the club where he d1nei, he
ts&'111%EN saw little of society, and troubled him
&SkxS22 self less with its affairs. He had given
UP hope of Hernia, and though her vision
persisted it was not OF the modsh seconlned creature
who had received him coolly that he thought This
the Hernia he had loved That other girl, the
joyous companion OF his summer ldy was no more-at
times it seemed that she had never been.
He writing to of his stters one afternoon
when the knocker changed and a in livery entered
bearing note. He opened 1t and read:
My DEAR Mr.. Markham must see you at once on
matter of Importance Can come up this afternoon for
dish of tea? I'm sending for IN the hope that
your engagements will forbid. If anything prevents
today, won't you lunch with me tomorrow at two'
Very sincerely yours SARAH HAMMOND
Markham frowned. There was no getting out of it,
it seemed
LIE found her at the tea table stout but puissant
figure in nauve and black. In the studio she had
not bothered him. She had been merely amiabe
millionaire in pearls and black satin Here in the
iestc drawing room, with her small court gathered
about her. she dominated him. He hestated second
at the door before going forward but when she
him she at and excused herself to her guests
After their departure she motioned him to a chair be-
side her and entered without delay upon her subject
Her was kindly, if restrained and he saw at
once that the matter was of personal nature.
Il suppose, Mr. Markham, you think It rather curious
that | should have sent for you in such haste; but
shouldn't have done SO had not thought 1t necessary
You understand that, don't YOU"
Markham murmured something, and waited for her
to go
1T seems little difficult to Begin for there some
matters that are not easy even with friend
Il am sure, if there is anything in which can help
you
"There is Mr. Markham l should not have dared
to speak to YOU hadn't unfortunately found myself
brought into an affair in which your has been
mentioned.
"My nameo"
yes Yours and Miss Challoner's.'
He blanched, and Immediately conscious that her
small eyes were watching him keenly. "Whwhat have
you heard Mrs. Hammond! he blurted out.
Zone moment Mr.. Markham. | don't want you to
think thai | am the kind Of woman who seeks to pry
into the affairs of other people. don't. | aboninate
meddlers, and will have nothing to say, if after
tell you what my motives you refuse to answer my
questions. But great wrong has been done, ad-
vantage taken of my hospitality. speak of the
theatrcals that took place my house in the country
last month
He stared at her blankly, and she smiled.
Il forgot, she went on what hermit you OF
course YOU have not heard. She leaned over the tea
table and took slip of paper from under tea dish Il
shall let YOU read this so that you may know IN just
what New York is speaking of you-of meof us
She handed him the clipping 1t was from weekly
paper which concerned itself with the dongs of society,"
and he read, his eyes glowing:
The much heralded theatricas at Roods Knoll have
come and gone; but the echoes of this affair still
verberating the length of the 1t that the
very clever play, written by well known of
based upon fact and that the hero and heroine
the adventures depicted in New York, the girl in
question member of the hunting and the dis
tinguished portrait painter-boh Of whom shall be
less As knows the play is laid rural France
and deals with the loves of French Countess who has fled
from her husband join her lover also married upon the
road where they become members band Of stroling
nountebanks the lady incorporating Dame Or
chere and the gentleman as an erant painter OF por