The evening world., 1915-01-18

tired. who always says, 'H'm-ha.'
before he contradicts you: the
Majors nieces. Madge and Margery
Cantrell--the idea Of splitting one
ily!-and the Majors son. Jerry. most
hopeful when he Ia pitted against
other young savages on the football
field. All strangers, SO far?"
Ballard nodded, and she went on.
Then there are Mrs. Van Bryck
and Dosia,-I know you have met
them: and Hctty Bigelow. their
cousin twice removed. whom you have
never met, II cousin Janet could help
It; and Hetty's brother. Lucius. who
Is something or other In the forestry
department. Let me see: how many
is that?"
Eight" said Ballard. counting the
negligible Miss Bigelow and her civil
service brother"
Good. l merely wanted TO see II
you were paying attention. Last, but
by no means least. there Is Mr.. Wing
field-the Mr.. Wingfield. who writes
plays"
Without ever having been suffered
to declare himself Miss Elsas lover.
Ballard resented the saving OF the
playwright for the climax: also the
tone in which his name was paraded.
Let me remember" he said. with
the frown reflective. II believe 1t was
Jack Forsyth the last time you con-
fided In me. Is It Mr.. Wingficld
now?"
"You are quite too incorrigible.
she laughed; but he made sure there
was Il blush to go with the laugh.
do you expect me to tell you about
II here and now?-with Mr.. Wing
field sitting just three seats back OF
me, on the right"
Ballard scowled. looked as directed.
Sand took the measure Of his latest
rival.
Wingfleld was at a table for four
with Mrs. Van Bryck, her daughter
and q shock headed young man
whom Ballard took to be the football
playing Blackjack.
In defiance OF the clean shaven
custom Of the moment. or perhaps
because he was willing to individual
ize himself, the playwright wore
beard closely trimmed and pointed
in tho French manner; this and the
quick grasping eyes and certain
vulpine showing OF white teeth when
he laughed made Ballard liken him
heard in the part OF Mephistopheies
in Faust"
The overlooking glance necessarily
included Wingfield's table compan-
ions, Mrs. Van Bryck's high bred
contours lost In adipose, Dosias cool
and placid prettinoss-tho passion
less charms of unrelieved milk
whiteness of skin and masses OF
flaxen hair and baby blue eyes. the
heavy Jaw and rather fine eyes
which he kept resolutaly on his
plate.
At the next table Ballard saw a
young man with the brown OF an
outdoor occupation richly coloring
his face and hands: an old one with
the contradictory 'H'm-ha" writ
ten at large in every gesture, and
two young women who looked as II
they might be the sharers OF the
single Christian name. Miss Bige-
low he did not Identify.
"Well?" said Miss Craigmiles, SEEM
ing TO Intimate that no had looked
long enough.
~ shall know Mr.. wingfleld, II I
evere see him again" remarked
Ballard. Whose guest is he? Or
are you all Mrs. Van Bryck's?"
What an idea!" she scoffed
cousin Janet is going into tho alb
solutely unknown, She doesn't reach
even 10 the Alleghenies; her America
stops at Philadelphia. Sho is the
chaperon, but our host isn't with us
We are to meet him In the wllds OF
Colorado
Anybody know" querlsd Ballard
mo, And-oh, yes, | forgot: Pro-
fessor Gardiner is 10 Join us later.
knew there must be one more some
where. But he was an afterthought
l-Cousin Janet, | moan-gOt his ac-
ceptancs by wire at Omaha"
Gardner is not going to Join YOU
said Ballard. with the cool effrontery
OF a proved friend. He Is going to
join me-" ~