The Washington times., 1918-11-12


a dream. Lady Cranston, viii you
permit me to Introduce my friend
Mr.. Hayter."
Philippa was Immediately grA-
cious. and q few moments passed IN
trivial conversation Then Mr.. Hay
ter prepared to depart
II must be joining my fFiends."
he observed Look In and see me
some time, Lessingham-No. u
Milan Court You know what =
nightbird I am Perhaps you will
call and have q final drink with me
when you have finished here"
II shall be very glad" Lessing-
ham promised.
Mr.. Hayter passed on, q man, ap-
parently, of many acquaintances,
to Judge by his interrupted prog
ress. Lady Cranston looked At her
companion. She was puzzled
"Is that q recent acquaintance"
she asked. ''as he addressed you by
the name OF Lessingham7'
YES" was the quiet reply.
You don't wish to talk about
himT"
MOI"
Helen and her partner returned,
= few moments later, and the little
party presently broke up Leasing
ham drove the two women to their
hotel in Dover street
We've had q most deIightfui
evening" Philippa assured him, as
they said good night You are
coming around to see Us in the
morning. aren't your"
"If may" Lessingham asgsnted-
Helen found her way into Philip
pas room, later on that night She
had nerved herself FOR = very
thankless task.
May I sit down for q few mo-
ments?" she Asked q little nerv-
ously. Your ire IL 50 much bet
ter than mine"
Philippa glanced ct her friend
through the looking-glass. before
which she was brushing her hair,
and made a little grimace. She
felt a forewarning of what was
coming.
"of. course, dear" she replied
'rHave you enjoyed your evening"
VERY much, in 4 way" was the
somewhat hesitating reply. ~of
course, nothing really counts until
Dick comes back, but It is nice to
talk with some one who knows
him"
Agreeable conversation Philips
pa remarked didactically, "is one
Of the greatest pleasures in life"
you md Mr. LessIngham very
interesting. don't your Helen
asked
Philippa finished arranging her
hair to her satisfaction and drew
up an easy-chair opposite her Wis
itor'A
$50 you want t. talk with me
about Mr.. Lessingham, do your"
'T suppose you know that he's
in love with your" Helen began
'I hope he is q little, my dear"
was the smiling reply. "Pm sure
I've tried my best"
Wont you talk seriously?" Helen
pleaded.
"I don't altogether see the neees-
sity," Philippa protested.
II do, and I'll tell you why.
Helen answered 81 don't think
Mr.. Lessingham is at all the type
Of man to which you are accustom-
ed. I think that he Is in deadly
earnest about you think that he
ives in deadly earnest from the
first. You don't really care for
Ghim, do you, dear?"
VERY much, and yet not, per
haps, quite In the way you are
thinking Of" was the quiet reply 4
Then please send him away"
Helen begged
MY dear, how can II Phnfppa
objected. He has done rs an i'm
mense service, and he can't dis
obey his orders"
you don't want him to 80 away,
thenT"
Philippa was silent for several
moments.
mo-" she admitted, Il don't think
that 1 do"
you don't care for Henry any
moreT"
"Just as much as ever" was the
somewhat bitter reply. That's
what I resent so much should
like Henry to believe that he had
killed very spark of love In me-"
Helen moved across and sat on
the arm Of her friends chair. She
felt that she was going to be very
daring.
Have you any idea at the back OF
your mind, dear" she asked, "of
making use of Mr.. Lessingham to
punish Henry"
Philippa moved a little uneasily.
How hatefully downright you
areT' she murmured- "I don't
know"
Because" Helen continued, If
you have any such idea in your
mind, I think It is most unfair to
Mr.. Lessingham. You know per-
fectIy well that anything else be-
tween you and him would be I'M
possible"
"And why3"
Don't be ridicuIous" Helen ex-
claimed vigorously. Mr.. Lessing-
ham may have all the most delight
full qualities in the world. but he
has attached himself to a country
which no English man or woman
will be able to think OF without
shuddering. for many years to
come. You can't dream OF cutting
yourself adrift from friends and
your home and your country! It's
too unnatural, I'm not even argu-
ing with you. Philippa- You
couldn't do II! I'm wholly con-
cerned with Mr. Lessingham- can
not forget what we owe him
think It would be hatefuIly cruel
OF you to spoil his life"
Philippa's flashes OF Seriousness
were only momentary. She made q
little Erimace. She was once more
her natural. irresponsible self.
You underrate my charm,
Helen" she declared. 81 really be-
lieve that I could make his nfe
instead OF spelling it."
"And you would pay the prieer
Philippa slim and elklike IA the