Evening star., 1914-08-16

thought"
@Oh, yes, I've known Mr. Craven long
time
Really? He's wonder, isn't hep
@How do you meano'
"Oh-the best sort!' Trait asseverated
with enthusiasm. "Everybodys friend
not an enemy in the world. l don't believe
there's better liked man in New York
our New York, that is.
@Your New York? You see, I've always
lived in England, and have lots to learn
about-home.
"Sheer snobbery on my part, Peter ad-
mitted cheerfully. Il meant the very small
part of New York that we infest, whom my
friend Mr.. Martin likes to call the idle
rich If he only knew!'
@But are your"
@Idle-or rich"
"Both-either?"
sI'm afraid I'm idle enough; but as for
riches, I'm povertys poor relation
3But what do you do?"
ooh, play good hand at bridge, fair
racket at tennis, and am always on hand to
| fill in when somebody doesn't show up for
dinner The least trace of bitterness fla
vored this gratuitous account of himself, and
| the peroration was accompanied by an
uneasy laugh. an short, I'm what your
English friends call waster. But please
don't think I'm bidding for serious con-
sideration.'
II understand" the girl said quietly.
II didn't mean to bore you, either"
@You didn't; but you made me think
and wonder"
@Why I'm content to be-so useless?"
She nodded, with her shadowy smile.
A wry grin answered that you GER
tain1y take the curse off of it. Trait averred.
aCandor like yours is good for the egotism.
The register of my self-esteem is now SUBJ
normal.
II didn't mean to be unpleasant, Mr..
Trait
aDon't, please Thus far you've done
me good; but if you say more, betray the
least real interest in me, III get chesty and
need taking down again. And I'm forget
ting Craven"
3He was here only a few minutes ago, and
promised to come back before long
3Then may wait? You don't mind?"
aNo,' said the girl: 4Indeed. I've some
thing to tell you. You've praised him to
you. I'm not Lucy Carteret, really, Mr..
Trait. My name is Lydia Craven. Thad-
deus Craven is my father"
sOh, I say!" Peter stared incredulously.
4Not Tad Craven's daughter! You're seri-
ous?"
aQuite"
He nodded. u sec you are. But-well-
you have surprised Ele. l don't suppose
soul who knows him would believe Tad
Craven anything but convinced bach
elor!'
So-it was true-Craven had never men
toned his daughter to his friends! Star
ing seaward, Lydia worked her hands to-
gether gently; and, watching her closely,
the man saw her face fugitively convulsed.
And wisely he held silence.
@Mrs Beggarstaff knows the girl said
presently, aand Mrs. Merrilees, and dare
say by tomorrow all his acquaintance on
the ship will know. So, you see, I'm not
violating his confidence. Only you spoke
of him so warmly that you made me want
you to understand" A quaver touched her
tone; but she persisted. 3Im afraid I've
made great mistake embarrassed him
horribly, turning up this way. But didn't
know he was passenger. l supposed, of
course, he was at home-in New York"
MUCH of Peters charm lay in his in
A'A stinctive recognition of those times
when it is wisest to say nothing. Nobody
could leave everything unsaid in way more
eloquent of sympathetic comprehension. So
he stood very still, covertly watching her
face and wondering.
Il couldn't help it They forced me to
1.-THE people | lived with in London. |