Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-07
THE SCREEN


may be good pals"
Daura too had called Troys eyes devils
eyes; yet secretly and strangely she re-
sented Alastair's criticism. She WINGED at
the patronizing tone he used, WINGED as
sensitively as if Troy was her friend and it
was her place to protect him. Yet few
minutes ago she had thought, 8H anything
should happen in that room, George would
be saved" 1t was different now, when
Alastair was against the man. No one at
Dunulm but herself must dislike or scorn
Robert Troy. Almost she began to defend
the Savage" to Alastair; but she caught
herself up on the point of saying that, what
ever else there was to find fault with in
Troy, his eyes were splendid. To say that
might add to the difficulty of controlling her
slave. She deity changed the broken SEN
tence into an appeal for discretion.
@You won't tell him about the room?"
Rather not! Do you take me for first
rate ass? But how about the servantso"
They're warned, and have given their
word. As for the family, nobody but you
is likely to know or care what room Mr..
Troy has,"
"Vane has the air of caring about anything
that concerns him."
"She lives at the other end of the house.
She won't know where he is. Still" Daura
stopped to think.
If Troy and Vane Erskine were to become
close friends, he might happen to describe
his quarters to her. Then, if he mentioned
the extraordinary carved oak bed, whose
headboard was built into the wall, Vane
would recognize the Black Breton room.
3Still, if l ask her not to tell him anything,
Just to be contrary she will" the girl said
to herself. feeling none too affectionately
toward Miss Erskine. Better say nothing,
and trust TO 1cko
CHE and Alastair crossed the hall together,
~ and joined Troy and Vane. will you
let my cousin show you to your room!" she
asked. Il think they will have taken your
luggage there already"
Then fell upon her sudden and severe
blow. Il hope you'll forgive me, Lady
Daura," Troy said, "but since you went
away I've had to change my mind. After
all, I don't see how l can possibly accept
Lord Gorme's invitation to stay in your
house."
The color streamed over the pale oval of
Dauras young face, and she trembled as if
her secret hopes had been discovered. ooh,
surely YOU won't break your promise to mel"
she stammered, and Alastair looked at her
sharply @What can have happened? What
can anyone have done?" she went on plte-
ously.
Nothing has happened, Troy said. mo
oody has done anything. But-1'm afraid
shall have to CO."
wont you at least explain?" she inn
plored "There must be a reason"
"There is reason" he admitted, feeling
again the nj of her charm enwrapp1ng him,
though he struggled to escape. 11f you in
sist, I'll explain; butt will embarrass me
very much to do So"
Her eyes begged MacRimnon to go, and
take Vane Erskine with him. Perhaps Alas
tair would have hardened his heart against
her, if he had not remembered that, despite
all contrary signs, she valued the man so
little as to put him in the Black Breton room.
Dwelling on this welcome thought, Mac
Rirnmon requested Vane to show him some
photographs of herself she had mentioned.
Hadn't she brought them down to the gun
room for Cousin Guy to see?
Captain MacRimmon was the heir to
Cousin Guys title, and Dunulm Castle as
we'll; and if a certain wealthy old lady,
distant relative, kept her word, he would
eventually be the first rich Lord Gorme in
SIX generations; therefore Vane Erskine was
only too pleased to take Alastair away even
for five minutes, and on any pretext, from
Il II, 1,,,- 1-,I