Evening star., 1915-04-04

In the conditions few questions could have been
more surprising. Her nephew's the last Mrs.
Carmac expected to hear Yvonncs lips since the
girl seldom alluded to him. and had shown by her man
that the handsome Rupert made slight appeal, if
any.
"Why do you ask?' she said.
"You have heard me speak of Madeleine Demoret, a
village girl, one of my greatest fricnds?'
"Well, Mr. Fosdykc has made her acquaintance
through me- as it happcns-an now he is meeting her
constantly. They together at this moment"
"lsnt that what rather expects in village girs?"
Mrs Carmac, borne down by her ills, could spare
scant sympathy for any Eighty maiden who had fallen
victim to the destinations of her good-ooking relative
at may be SO elsewhere, but not in Brittany per-
sisted Yvonne who keen -witted enough to UNDER
stand how differently she and woman of her mothers
world might view Madelenes folly. "Hcrc such be-
havior is unforgivable girl may walk out with
the man to whom she is engaged far less with stranger
Il hardly know how to act. You cannot imagine how
completely her friends and ncigbos will condemn poor
Madeleine if it is spread abroad that she was seen in
Mr.. Fosdyke's company. AS for Pcridot if he knew,
he would kill him'
Kill Rupert?'
"Yes."
"Peridot may find consolation elsewhere"
Yvome WINGED; but she had purpose in mind, and
pcrsevered bravely ooh, please don't say such thngs
she said. II want you, Dear, to try and look at this
affair through my eyes. | know my Brctons and
Madeleine must be saved, in spite of herself Can you
persuade Mr. Fosdyke to leave Pont Aven tomorrow
HE is going not tomorrow, perhaps but soon."
Are you sure-quite sure?'
"He told me so himself TODAY"
"lf could be certain he would go, wouldn't speak
to Lorry."
"How does it affect Mr.. rollemactc? Is he too an
admircr of Madeeine's?"
Then, despite her perplexities Yvonne laughed "No,
of course not she cried Didn't imply that Pcridot
means to marry herr"
"In that event why appeal to Mr.. Tollcmactco7
"Oh l see your difficulty When aroused Lorry
is very convincing person indeed. He would tell Mr.
Fosdyke to quit, that is exactly what he would say
and if Mr.. Fosdyke didn't quit he'd jolly well make
hnl-which is also what Lorry would say
Mrs Carmac seemed to consider the point for few
seconds. "NIy difficulties, you put it, cover a larger
area she said with bitterness that had its pathetic
side. Don't forget, Yvonne that am tlcbarred from
sharing your confidence. Dare ask, for instance if at
some future date you will probably become Mrs. Lau
renee Tollemacle?'
The girl flushed under this wholly unexpected thrust
First her father, now her mother, had voiced such
far-fetched notion! II don't know" she said simply
"The events of the last week have taught me the un
wisdom of thinking that forecast the future
but can say now, with the utmost cancor, that will
never leave my father"
At the moment she had no other thought than dis
avowal of her prospective marriage with Tolle-
mache, or any other man; but her mother covered as
though fnchng from blow and Yvonne was instantly
that the words had conveyed meaning far be-
yond their intent.
ooh, dcar!" she sighed. "How easily one can be mis-
understood! Now it is stupid that you and should be
at purposes in matter Of this sort. Will it help
if tell you what my father said this morning? He
asked me why you had decided that Mr. Carmac should
be buried here, and gave it my opinion that you
meant to remain in Pont Aven considerable time.
Was mistaken?'
The older woman's face became shade winter; but
she replied steadily enough Something Of the had
certainly occurred to me-"
"But you must abandon it, Dear said the girl ear.
neStly droppinp at her mothers talino