Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-09

made inquiry for him. but the blond
was answering the questions of
guest and did not see Loveman go out.
clifford allowed few more minutes
to pass. then he approached the
blond's cage with a brisk air.
There's something Mr. Loveman
forgot to say to Mrs. Gardner. and he
asked me to come back and tell her.
Just say It's Mr.. Loveman calling
again"
The girl spoke through the tele-
phone as directed; then, You're to go
right up"
Tingling with suspense, Clifford shot
up to the twelfth floor and rang the
bell of apartment M The door was
promptly opened, and without wait
ing for the maid to cry warning
because of this suddenly altered Mr..
Loveman, Clifford walked quickly past
her through q little hallway into a
sitting room. At the window, looking
down into the avenue. stood a slender
figure in a gown of gold-brown chif-
fon velvet, softly touched with fur
She was Mary Regain.
Sit down. Mr. Loveman," she said,
not turning. And then after a pause
she added, bit impatiently. but in
that distant, composed tone she had
so often used toward him in other
days: We'll, what else is there?
Haven't ] already promised to follow
your instructions in every detail?"
Clifford did not reply. and his ST.
ience caused her to turn. At sight of
him the tint of autumn rose left her
dark face
Mr.. Clifford" she breathed.
Good afternoon" He hesi-
tated; the last time he had snoken 70
her six months before he had called
her Mary. Good afternoon, Miss
Regain"
And then the fear that was in him
caused him quickly to add. "Or should
1 say Mrs. Gardner"
Il am still Mary Regain" She
moved nearer. You here! The name
you sent up was Mr.. Loveman."
Il used Mr.. Loveman's name because
/ thought if / sent my own YOU would
refuse to see me-"
"Why?'
He had searched her out primarily
to learn the danger she was in and
TO save her from it, but here he was
In the first moment speaking of him.
self. Il reasoned that you did not
want 10 see me from the fact that you
nave been in town week and have
sent me no word And / thought
after your promise"
He could not finish. She motioned
him to be seated herself took a chair,
ana there was a moments pause. Pale,
n strained composure in her face, she
was wonderously striking in the gold
VI oNi NCIfCi Will us .UaFSln OIL IuI,
she seemed to have matured, yet to
have grown no older. ard never before
mad she seemed more poignantly de-
sirable to him. The old questions that
had haunted him for six months, surg
ed up and he was almost choked with
the imminence of the answer to them
HAD there come the change that they
had talked about? Had she reached
the decision that he had so long been
waiting for?
At length she spoke, and the con-
tralto warmth and color of her voice
were subdued to a neutral monotone.
II could have sent you word" she said
but L have no excuse to offer. and
prefer not to explain"
You know what I've been hoping
for-and waiting for" he said with
difficulty. You have not forgotten
that last night in Washington
sqnare?"
No. And you have not forgotten the
point l then insisted upon-that l
wanted to go off, alone, to examine
myself and try to learn whether / was
really the sort of woman you declared
me to be-"
II remember. And now that you
have been away, and come back?
Her voice was steady. II have learn
ed | am not that kind of woman"
MOP"
II have learned that l do not look
upon life--that is, life for myself-in
the way you thought / would"
Just what do you mean?"
Il know now that | am by nature
more worldly than you believed me-"
He grew suddenly sick at her even
words. II was hoping that you would
have decided that you cared for me-"
II am and always shall be grateful
to you for the things you did for me,
ana ! shall always appreciate your
high opinion of the qualities you be
lieved to exist in me, You were kind
and generous--and / shall never for
get"
But you have no other feeling--to-
ward me?'
She shook her head
Then this IS final-as far as my
hopes are concerned" he whispered
note that she had grown even more
pale than few moments before and
that her hands were gripping folds
of the velvet gown.
Presently he tried to pull himself
together. He remembered the main
purpose of his presence here.
But at least you will let me help
you?"
''Certainly--if. ] need you"
He leaned closer. You never needed
me more than now!
For what reason?'
You are in danger--great danger"
She started, and gaZed at him with
a sharp penetration, which even at
that moment struck him as peculiar.
I'm what danger?"
Her question took him back. In