Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-13

has been making fragrant love to me. livery
nearly had to call you"
Lakenham grinned. This was the sort of
humor he appreciated! 4Gad!' he exclaimed,
looking at SYPHILIS slim figure with something
in his eyes that Jermyn hated, 3if only I'd
had another half-hour, believe might have
had chance, after ALL"
Jermyn smiled and pointed to the gray
stone carving on the front of the house.
3'What have, hold" he quoted. @You
are just few days too late, my gallant
cousin"
Lakenham laughed. He stood with his
hands in his pockets,-a typical attitude,
burly, logged, confident. well match
mottos, Jermyn,' he said. aYou know
mine? I hope-I win!'"
Jermyn drew SYPHILIS arm through his and
turned away II shall at once" he declared,
remove Miss Cluley from the sphere of your
influence"
CHAPTER XII
THINNER that night at Annerley was
L somewhat memorable meal for all who
took part in it. Besides the house party, two
manned over, and the doctor who had played
bridge the night before had been sent for.
From the first the atmosphere had been
little electric. Sybil, from the moment of
taking her place at the table, had seemed
animated by the highest spirits. She had
walked into the room as though walking on
air. The poise of her neck, the carriage of
her 1.-THE body, appeared alike imbued with
some nameless enchantment. She had more
color than usual, her eyes were brilliant, her
mouth radiant with smiles. She was all the
time the life of the dinner party, the whole
center of attraction.
self was wonderfully dressed in black and
silver, with strange Jewels glistening at her
bosom, sat and watched and listened. The
village doctor was on her left, the elder of
the two officers from the barracks on her
right. They paid her polite attentions; but
their eyes we're fixed upon Sybil. She
seemed, indeed, to have found an unac-
customed vein of levity. She laughed boldly
in Lakenham's face; she appeared either to
have conquered or to have completely for
gotten her aversion to him. Jermyn watched
her all the time, his eyes shining with adni-
ration; yet even he too now and then Won
dered. If she were not actually flirting with
Lord Lakenham, she was at any rate toying
with his advances, laughing indulgently at
his compliments, hooking at his rather too
obvious earnestness, yet always with the
faint reserve of coquetry that to a man like
Lakenham was so maddening.
Although they had sat down to dinner
early, it was ha1f-past nine before they rose
from the table. There was no question of
separation; for the cigars and cigarettes had
already been served. Jerrnyn looked eager
ly across at Sybil.
AT last" he whispered under his breath.
@Lakenham, you and Lucille, DR.. Brown
rigg, Captain Mason, and Major Lethersett
must cut out for bridge. Miss Cluley and 1
are going to have talk over the play"
Lakenham laughed heavily. He was very
flushed, and his eyes were bright. 4Not
bit of it, Jer1nyn, old fellow!" he replied.
miss Cluley and have fixed that all up.
It's my last night, and she's going to play
me fifty up at billiards"
Jerrnyn was silent for a moment. His
eyes sought SYPHILIS. She was suddenly very
still and cold. @Do you really care about bill
lizards, Sybil?" he asked, little doubtfully.
II have promised Lord Lakenham to have
one game" she answered. 3After that we
can do whatever you like"
Jermyn walked with them into the hall.