Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-14


room for a mirror.
I'm do it, she said. pushing back her
chair. Il don't want every enc to say
you're dining with a shiny-nosed Chicago
girl. l can get the cloak check, too.
I'll order while you're gone he said.
rising with her.
The order given. he sat back in his
chair and idly reviewed the room.
out" he thought He sigaed and wished
that he might see it with Mans fresh eve.
What a treat ii was to watch her as she
gazed about, He reflected that he must
not forget to point out to her the sprin-
king of celebrities always to BE found
there.
The oysters were already on the table.
but Nan had not returned. the solicitous
head waiter observed the fact and asked
if he desired that the door be held back.
''Tne young lady has gone 20 get her
cloak check" explained Corridor You
might go and see if she's having any diff
Guilty"
Presently he saw the head waiter return
to the room. He made his way direct to
Gordon's table, and. leaning over. said, in
a confidential voice. The lady. she is in
the reception room. sir. She does not
feel too WELL
Not WELL" demanded Gordon. What's
the NATTER?
Il have fear. the man explained, re-
luctantly. Il have fear, sir. that the
lady ees intoxicated"
Why. she was here only a few moments
since. and absolutely all right. Shed
just one cocktail, any way. That couldn'
man, you must be crazy!
Il am ve'ery sorry. sir, the man re-
Piled. She is the most intoxicate of any
lady / hat ever seem.
Gordon reviewed the situation swiftly.
Had not Kate herself authorized one
cocktail? Had not Nan talked nationally
after having taken it? Then a cold chill
his SniDp and seemed TO freeze
his heart as he recalled her having
spoken of an uncle who drank frightfully
Then that was it! There was a taint-a
hereditary taste. which made single
cocktail so much poison to her! He had
heard of cases
Good heavens. man.. he burst out.
This is horrible-horrible. What can
do?'
haps, sir, some black Coffee" he sug-
gested.
YES, that's it, cried Gordon. Black
coffee. Quick.
The waiter hurried ,na Off but srs
he blurted. slipping him bill. See
that she's kept quiet. No one must see
her. understand? It's all an accident
entirely mistake
Gordon made his way to the cloakroom
door, and. reckoning a maid, asked for
THE young lady who is-ah-
Pretty bad. sir said the woman
shaking her head. It'll be some time
before
With groan he fed He tried to rest
upon velvet-covered settee and collect
himself. but rose quickly and strobe
about the hall. All he could do was to
think in a diffuse sort Of way and mutter
over and over: Poor little SOUL. and
What am / to do?"
Reports were brought occasionally by
the concerned head waiter, but they were
| not comforting in character. Gordon sank
deeper and deeper into the mire of de-
spair. Then his Fidus Achates reap
peared this time with first good news.
| The lady was distinctly better.
After a time the man soothed. when
| she feels much more well. sir we shall
| take her out so quiet, to a carriage
Gordon sent a boy for his hat and
| coat. put on the coat mechanically and
| waited dismally With one lobe of his
| brain he prayed that she might-he shud-
| dered at the expressioG-might "come
round quickly. But fighting with this
! hope was dread of seeing her. Poor
| little thing. He could not Danish a men
| tai picture of her as she would look. She
! was sure to cry-she'd cry her very heart
out. going home! What could he do? \
| wave of tenderness swept over him; he
| thought of Nan as of a child whom he d
| hurt unintentionally. Now he yearned
| to take her in his arms, and rock her.
like child and say: Il didn't mean to
| do it."
| Then the maid came. out again and put
him In a sudden panic.
| You might come In, SIR she invited.
| It'll likely brace the lady UP to see
you She held the curtain aside, and
Gordon, dragging himself together with
a mental jerk. gulped and stepped in
| On heavily upholstered couch, beside
which stood a table Uttered with coffee
! cups and glasses, he saw Nan. Her hat
was on and nothing about her was awry,
| as he had imagined it would be.
oh she sighed. I'm SO glad you've
come
Gordon stopped dead His hand
| there. His dazed eyes stared blankly,
| shifting from Nan to another woman.
| The other woman was Older-older
in many ways Her face was very
| white excepting for two round carmine
spots upon the cheeks. She lay full
length upon the couch: her eyes were
closed. Her marcelled head lay in
Mans lap.
| desire to laugh shout or swear.
You got my MESSAGE" Nan asked,
| anxiously.
Message" he said. with difficulty.
! came and told me it was the lady who
was He stopped short.
Il hope you'll forgive me-" Nan ap-
pealed. This poor woman was SO ill |
doctor, but they wouldn't. It's in
human! Why. In Chicago when per-
sons ill they
maid turned away and seemed to
have a slight convu1sion.
I've been worrying about your din
ner." Nan went on. but. of course.
you've had it," Then as he did not an
swer she asked in voice that quaver-
ed just a little: Are you displeased
with me-"
mo. no. Nan" he answered. not un-
| kindly: "but-but-! His voice sud
denly became savage. Turning to the
maid. What did you mean by allow
ing thiso" he flashed.
why. sir said the frightened wom-
look after her friend. but
Friend" he cried. indicating the re-
cumbent figure. THAT"
| why" said the maid. 1--WE thought
-" There she ended wisely.
! Gordon did not speak.
Now" he said at last. in a voice of
portentous calm. we're going. You get
this lady's cloak and take that head
out of her lap
The maid lifted the Other Woman's
head. and when Nan had arisen. de-
posted it upon a pillow.
! Then they passed through the glass
doors. entered hanson and drove
toward the Kings Court.
Howard heard the story at the office
the next day. and gave the Inside
facts" to Kate that evening. From
| Kate had already guessed much.
Well she said breathlessly. II sup
pose Gordon simply What did he
say. Howard?"
Not much" said Howard, in a tan
| taliZing casual tone. as on hands and
knees he peered beneath the bed.
Where on earth are my slippers"
II H. = =,