Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-22
YcoNTINuED FROM LAST Sunday

that even IL he, were to give in
passable imitation Of Rochester's
signature, all cheques signed in the
future would have to tally with that
signature. Now mans handwriting,
though varying, has a personality of
Its own. and he very much doubted as
TO whether he would be able to keep up
that personality under the miscropic
gaze of the bank people. He decided ON
bold course. He would retain his own
handwriting. 1t was improbable that
the National Provincial had ever seen
Rochester's autograph; even If they had,
1t was not criminal thing for a man to
alter his style of writing. He Endorsed
the cheque Rochester, gave a sample of
his signature. gave directions for
cheque book to be sent to him at Carlton
House Terrace. and took his departure.
He had changed Rochesters five
pound note before going to Collins and
he had the change in his pocket, four
pounds sixteen and siXpence. Five
pounds, less the price Of a cigar at the
tobacconist's where he had changed his
note, the taxi to Sergeants' Inr and
the glass of liquor brandy. He remem-
yesterday at the Senior Conservative.
and he determined to go and pay for 1t,
and then lunch at some restaurant
Never again would he have luncheon
at that Conservative Caravanserai. SO
he told himself.
standing waiting to cross the road
near Southampton street, when a voice
sounded in his ear and an arm took
his.
; Hello, ROCKY" said the voice.
=. Jones turned, and found himself arm
In, unit 1,yt1 1f irl,k
he seemed. a gilded youth, IL there ever
was gilded youth. Immediately
dressed, CHEEKY. and with frank face
that was entirely pleasing.
Hello" said Jones.
What became Of you that night?"
asked the CHEEKY one, as they crossed
the road still arm in arm.
(which night? Why the night they
shot us out Of the Rag Tag Club. Are
you asleep. Rawjester--or what ails
ooh, remember" said Jones.
They had unlinked now. and, walk
Ing along together, they passed up
Southampton street and through
Henrietta street toward Leicester
Square. the unknown doing all the
talking, u task for which he seemed
well qualified.
He talked of things, events and peo-
pie absolutely unknown to his lis
tener of horses, and men, and women.
lie talked Jones into Bond street, and
Jones went shopping with him, assist
ing him in the choice Of two dozen
Colored socks at Beale G. Inman's.
Outside the hosiers' the unknown was
proposing luncheon when a carriage.
an open victoria, going slowly on ac-
count OF the traffic. drew Jones' at
tention.
1t was a very smart turnout. one
horsed. but having two liveried serv-
a 1I,v
footman with powdered hair.
In the victoria was seated one of
the prettiest girls ever beheld by
Jones. lovely creature. dark, with
and n face! All. what pen could de
scribe that face. so mobile. piquant.
and filled with light and inexpressible
charm.
She had caught Jones' eve; Sc was
fully. half wrathfully, 1t seemed to
him. and now. to his amazement she
made little movement of the head,
as H. to say. Come here. At the same
moment she spoke to the coachman.
"Portman. stop please"
Jones advanced. raising his hat
Il just want to tell YOU" said the
beauty, leaning little forward. that
you, are silly old ass. venetia has
don't do it-Portman, drive on"
Good Lord" said Jones' as the
vehicle pa ssed on it's way, bearing off
Its beautiful occupant. OF whom moth
Ing could now be seen but the lace
covered back of parasol.
He rejoined the unknown. ,....
We'll" said the latter. what has
your wife been saying to you?"
WV wife," said Jones.
We'll, your late wife, though you
amt divorced yet, are your"
No" said Jones.
He uttered the word mocha nically,
scarcely knowing what he was say
ing
That lovely creature his wife, Roch-
ester's wife!
Get in" said the unknown. lie had
called taxi.
Jones got in.
Rochcster's wife. The contrast be-
tween her and Lady Plinlimon sud
denly arose before him. together with
the folly of Rochester seen giganti-
cally and in new light.
The taxi drew up in a street Off
Piccadi]ly: they got OUT the unknown
paid and led the way into house
whose front door presented modest
brass door plate inscribed with the
words:
MIR. CARR"
They passed along a passage, and
then down stairs to large room,
where small card tables were set
out. An extraordinary room, for, oc-
cupying nearly half of one side of it
stood Kitchen range, over which a
cook was engaged brOiling chops and