Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-20

Her chin her hands, her elbows resting the edge
of the table. She was regarding with speculative
eyes, "If you don't mind what the servants saying
about us, Mr.. Smart, am quite sure l do not.
| caught my breath.
"Oh / understand everything" she cried mschiev
ousy, before could stammer anything in reply They
are building delightful romance around us. And why
noto Why begrudge them the pleasure! NO harm can
of it, you see.
Certainly no harm,' | foundered
"The gossip is confined to the castle 1t will not go
any farther. We afford to laugh in sleeves,
can't WEI"
"Ha-ha!' laughed in strained efort-but not into
my sleeve al rejoice to hear you say that you don't
mind. No do l. It's rather jolly
Fancy anyone's thinking we could possibly fall in
love with each other!' she scofed.
There suggestion OF cold water IN that remark
"Yes just fancy" agreed
"Absurd!'
@But OF course as you say if they get any pleas
out of it. why should object? It's difficult mat
ter keeping cook, anyway"
"Well, are bosom friends once more are we not!
/ am relieved
"Oh no! | had it from my maid. She is perfectly
terrible. She won't have it any other way than that
desperately in love with you. Isn't she delicous
"Eh?' 1 gasped.
"And she confides the wonderful secret to everyone
in the castle, from Rosemary down to Jinko.'
"Pon my sou!' l murmured.
"And they all saying that | am In love
with you, she laughed. isn't it perfectly ludicrous
Perfectly said without enthusiasm. My heart
sank like lead. Ludicrous? Was that the way 1t ap
peared to her? | had little spirit left. "Quite as
udicrous as the fancy Britton has about me. He IS
obsessed by the idea that am in love with you What
do you think of that
She started. | thought her eyes narrowed for a
ond. "Ridcuous!" she said very simply. Then she
rose abruptly "Please ring the bell for Hawkes.
| did so. Hawkes. appeared.
@Clear the table Hawkes., she said IL want you to
read all these newspaper clippings, MIR. Smart, she
went on, pointing to bundle chair the win
dow. We crossed the Now that you know who
am insist your reading what the papers have been
saying about during the last five six weeks"
| protested; but she firm.
Everyone else in the world has been reading about
my affairs; SO you must do likewise. You there
are two sides to the case. The papers that Father
can control united in defending my action the
European press is just the other way.
FOR hour l sat there in the window absorbing the
astonishing history of the Tarnowsy abduction
felt rather than observed the intense scrutiny with
which she favored me-
At last she tossed the remainder of the bundle,
read, into corner Her face glow with pleasure.
you've read both sides, and I've watched you-oh,
so cosely You don't believe what the papers
translations that Mr. Poopendyke has typed for
Now know that you do not feel SO bitterly toward
you did at first
| was resolved to make last determined stand for
my original convictions. "But own papers still
voice. way, my principal contention in the matter,
Countess. They deplore the wretched custom among
the idle but ambitious rich that made possible this whole
amentabe state of affars,-1 the custom of get
ting title into the family at any COST"
"My dear Mr.. Smart" she said seriously. "do you
really contend that all the conuga unhappiness and