Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-26

reckon when he yelled the future from
our eyes.
The conversation Jagged at first.
was afraid to be anything but imper-
start her wondering if she did know
, me. after all. Then | suddenly saw
the folly of the thing. There would
! have to be an understanding between
home the next day. even if found out
+, where she lived. unless I were abso-
| lutely sure she had not mistaken me
, for some one else. The sandwiches
the tea party would be over. leaving
me as far ever from the chance OF
| future acquaintance. l took a long
breath and plunged.
| Miss Hoyt," ! said. I'm going to
confess. | know We've met before, but
for the life of me 1 can't remember
| where
She gave a short, startled laugh and
! "Why-why, we met on the steamer
coming from Europe-didn't we?" she
faltered after a pause.
| II shook my head. I've never been
| to Europe"
| oh" it was an exclamation of dis
! may, and she sank back in her seat,
| her hands meeting in frightened
movement against her breast
| You seemed so sure about me that
| thought we must have met before, L
| began, defending myself against the
reproach in her eyes. Besides, your
name seemed so familiar
| oh she said again, but with quite
a different infection, and she sat up
straight and looked hard at me. And
| then she added a remark that did not
/ strike me as odd until l had occasion
! to recall it later. so it was the name"'
Yes: l felt sure l had heard it be-
fore, and"
81 dare say" she Interrupted, a trifie
sharply. Most people have-if they
! read the papers,"
The papers," 1 echoed. blankly.
THE newspapers
I stared at her. "Who-who are you?"
she answered. ASK the waitress
there"
AS she mentioned the waitress she
involuntarily turned toward the young
woman who had served us and who
now stood across the room idly watch
ing US.
Did you ever see such eyes as that
woman has? They bore into you like
gimlets."
Il didn't notice. I replied.
/ had not, then; my eyes and atten-
| ton had been focused elsewhere. An
idea had flashed into my mind, and
now. at the first opportunity, l blurted
out the question: Are you an actress
1t was the only explanation 1 could
think of for what she had said about
the newspapers.
She laughed. ASK policeman" she
repeated, teasingly-''if you are inter-
ested.'
''Of course, I'm interested"
"Well, so am L. but you seem to for
get that you owe me an explanation
and an apology"
II have explained, and l don't think
do owe you an apology was my
reply. Il made an honest mistake, just
as you did, and I'm sorry---" Break
ing off, corrected myself: NO, I'm not,
because if I had not made the mistake
should have missed the pleasure of
having tea with you. But. of course, I'll
be sorry-if you insist
She laughed again. She was ador-
ably pretty when she laughed. mo. 1
won't insist. Mr.. - She stopped
short. Il don't know your name" she
staminered. as If the embarrassing
fact had just dawned on her.
MY name is Richard Terrill. I'm
from Atlanta. Ga, a lawyer in New
York on business. and I'm stopping
at the Cecil Ho-''
l was cut of by the sudden appear
ance from behind me of the waitress
bringing a fresh pitcher of hot water.
and 1 had the uncomfortable feeling
that she had overheard me and must
think it odd that l found 1t necessary
to tell the young girl with whom 1
But. whatever her thoughts were, her
lean. sallow face did not betray them
She asked If we wanted anything else
and. being told we did not, she again
retired out of earshot to the opposite
side of the room. where she stood as
before, watching u.s. l knew she
watched now because I glanced over
several times, always to find her small,
keen black eyes leveled on my guest.
The latter had poured the hot water
l.
cups.
"Of course. it's very shocking for
girl to go to tea with a man who has
not been introduced" she observed.
still. it's really not t.. reason for
wasting the tea, is it,
Certainly not"
She laughed. and 1t struck me that
her laugh had changed. 1t was freer,
gayer. Indeed, she was in high spirits.
and so was I. Since I had spoken out
on famously. We talked along for
while, saying nothing that 1 recall,
until she remarked suddenly:
IF you were to relate this experience
know what you'd be told? People
would shrue their shoulders and say:
! IF that isn't Bobbie Hoyt all over! -
1T see. You're in the habit Of shock
ing the community. Is that why you're
so well known to the police"
She regarded me quizzically. Don't
you honestly remember where you
heard of me before"
Haven't an Idea"
IT wonder. now"
You mean you don't believe me?'
IT don't know. VIII you como to tea
| tomorrow"
Nothing could keep me away"
Her answer was a short, odd laugh.
F., The address is is East s0th street.
| You'd better write 1t down." she ad-
vised.
| II shan't forget IT."
She wanted to know the time. and I
| showed her my watch. 1t was ten min
| utes to five.
Dear ne. I'm late," she exclaimed.
| rising. IN have to take a taxi"
| We had the luck to pick up q cab
| just as we reached the corner of 9Th
avenue. 1 helped her in and gave her
| address to the chauffeur
| Remember" she called back to me az
the cab got into motion. You are free
| to look me up before you come tomor-
row. You'll find a policeman at any
| corner"
| I nodded. grinning, and returned her
! gay wave Of farewell. Then I stood on
the curb and watched the receding cab
! until 1t was lost in the stream Of traf-
/ fc.
As 1t was nearly o'clock decided
to telephone Talbot Sands and find out