Evening star., 1915-02-14
By E. PHILLIPS OppENHEIM


The night before he had left for Scotland-he thought
of it almost with fear-he had lain awake in his
and had heard strange sound. He had crept to
the keyhole of the communicating door, which yet he
had never unlocked and listened. He seemed to hear
the sound again in the silence that regned around
him,-the sound of moaning and sobbing
quietly through the hours of the night This
and terrible thing that had come into his life,
tragedy that he had idea at the moment how face
The time slipped away He rose at last little wear-
ly and made his way round to the theater. The per-
Torrance was just over and he met Levenden in the
passage by the doorkeepers office He fanced that the
latter seemed none too pleased to see him.
"You back, Sir Jermyn?" the manager exclaimed
@By Jove! wish I'd known that you going to be
in town! We've small supper party on tonight
Couldn't you get off home" he added g1ancng at Ter
myns attire, "and change and join us later?'
3Not tonight, am afraid Jermyn replied. "Thank
you all the have been travelling all day. Miss
Cluley hasn't left, hope?"
NO. think she is just prnking up" Levenden told
him. "She is supping with us.
Jermyn stopped short. @Supping with you?' he re-
peated.
@My wife and both think" Levenden continued
@that Miss Cluey has been living much too secluded
life. am thankful to say that she is beginning break
through it just little. She is coming to the artists
bail tomorrow. Young Lord Lakenham is giving
great supper party connection of yours, by the way
isn't he, Sir Jernyn? You ought to come. A writer
ought to all sides of life, you know"
Jermyn turned slowly round. IL Miss Cluley is 60
ing out to supper, he said, Il won't wait now."
Shell like to see you for a moment, expect the
manager remarked perhaps she'll be able persuade
you to join u.s."
Jermyn hesitated. 1t was queer little world which
seemed crublng about his "No won't bother her
now he decided Il shall see her tomorrow sometime
TERMYN passed out just managing to escape Gerald
> who alighting from his outside. He jumped
into taxi and drove home.
Your mistress in? he inquired mechanically of Rob-
erts the latter relieved him of his hat and overcoat
"Her Ladyshp has not been out this evening, Sir
Jermyn, the butler informed him. @She dining at
Dorington House. and the point of starting when
she felt unwell. 1t just after you had teephoned
from the club Sir She has been alone in her boudoir
all the evening. 1 believe she is there now, Sir"
Jeyn slowly ascended the stairs and knocked at the
door of the end of Luclles little suite There
He turned the handle softly and entered.
Lucille lying couch in white dressing gown.
There smelling Salts the evening paper, a
novel, and bowl of small table by her side
He closed the door quietly and farther into the
room. Then he saw that she was asleep. He stood
with his feet buried in the thick fur of the white rug
looking down at her curious little pain pulled his
heartstrings He was conscious of feeling with
regard to her, of immense almost infinite pity.
Even in repose her face absolutely the face of
tortured woman There were lines under her eyes, hol-
lows in her cheeks; her neck too had grown thinner
She was beautiful STILL but in queer unearthly sort of
fashion. Suddenly she opened her eyes and him.
1t was though miracle had taken place. Her whole
appearance transformed. Her face seemed to fill
out, her eyes to soften. She grew at once younger
"Jermyn!" she cried. @You here? Has anything
happened?"
He came and sat at the end of the sofa Perhaps
something of that expression with which he had been
gazing down upon her had already vanished from his
face for her first wild impulse of joy showed signs of
passing away.
Nothing at ALL" he answered. Roberts told me
just that you not we'll, and looked in for
see what was the matter. 1t is nothing ser
ous trust?"