Evening star., 1921-06-17
BY Herbert johnson

a road fragrant with the perfume Of
hay. and with the pleasant sound Of
the reapiny machines in his ears, and
the carriage turned into the park
through the great iron gates. which
opened this time without demur. BY
the side of the road was a clear trout
stream, little further away herd
of deer stood watching the carriage
pass. The park was uncu.tivated but
picturesque. becoming more wooded
as they climbed the hill leading to
the chateau. '.Wrayson smiled to him.
self as he remembered that this mag
the woman who was his neighbor
at Battersea. and whom he himself
had been more than half inclined to
put down as an adventures.
A major-domo in quiet black clothes.
who seemed to reflect in his tone
the place. received him at the. door.
passing him on at once TO footman
in powdered hair and resplendent liv-
cry. Across a great hall. whose white
stone floor. height and stained-glass
windows gave Wrayson the impress
mistake into the nave of a cathedral.
he was ushered into a drawing room.
whose modernity and comparatively
low ceiling were almost relief. Here
there were books and flowers and
music. some exquisite water-colors
upon the white walls. newspapers
and magazines lying about. which
gave the place habitable air. A
grcat semi-circular window command
ed . SSonderful view of the park. but
it, door was opened at the further
end of the room and he heard the
soft rustling of a woman's gown upon
the carpet. 1t was Louise who came
toward him.
She was dressed in white muslin.
gestion Of color. Her cheeks were
unusually pale. and the shadows un-
der her eyes seemed to speak Of trou:
BILE. Yet Wrayson thought that he
had never seen her look more beau
tiful. She gave him her hand with
a faint smile Of welcome and per-
mitted him to raise it to his lips.
This is very. very foolish" she said
softly. "and I know that l ought to
be ashamed Of myself"
ION the contrary" he answered. II
think that it is very, natural. But.
You won't want to live always ina
castle, will you, Louise?''
She sighed and smiled and sighed
again.
Il am afraid that our castle. Her
bert" she murmored. will exist only
to you before the others come in
II am all attention." he assured her.
"It is about Nine de Melbain.r she
began. a little hesitatingly.
He waited for her to continue. She
seemed to be in some difficulty.
II want you to watch and do just
what we others do" she said. "and
not be surprised II some of our ar
rangements seem a little curious For
instance. although she is the elder.
She will go in first alone, and you
must take me-"
II can assure you" Wrayson said.
smiling. that I shall make no diff.
Guilty about that"
"And she doesn't like to be talked
II will humor her in that Also"
Wrayson promised. 'She is a good
sort to let me come here at all.'
''She is very kind and very consid-
crate" Louise said, "and her life has
been very unhappy one"
nearer:
Need We talk about her any more?"
he asked. There is so much I want
to say to you about ourselves"
She looked at him for a moment, a
little sadly. a little wistfully.
"Ah! don't" she murmured. Don't
talk about definite things at all, For
tonight-tonight onlv-let US drift"
He smiled at her reassuringly.
Don't be afraid" he said. IT am
not going to ask you any questions.
I am not going to ask for any expla-
nations. think that we have passed
all that: 1t Is Of the future 1 wanted
Don't" she begged softly. "of the
past I dare not think. nor. of the fu-
ture: It Is only the present which
The present and the future" he
She rose suddenly to her feet, and
Wrayson instinctively followed her
example: They were no longer alone.
Two women: who had entered by
a door at the further end Of the
apartment. were slowly approaching
them. The foremost was tall and
dark: little slim. perhaps. but with
an elegant figure. and a carriage Of
singular dignity. Her face was youth
and clear as the eyes of a girl but
her dark hair was plentifully streaked
with gray. and there was about her
whole appearance an air of repressed
Sadness .g :
This is Mr.. wrayson. is it snot7'
she asked. in a very sweet voice, but
with a strong foreign accent I'VE
have so few visitors that one can
scarcely make mistake. You are
very welcome.
She did not offer to shake hands,
and Wrayson contented himself with
a low bow. 49, .s-5 /
You are very kind" he murmured.
Monsieur lie Baron" she remarked.
turning to an elderly gentleman who
had just entered, will doubtless find
your coming pleasant. The enter
tainment Of three ladies must have
seemed at times a little irving Let
me make you gentlemen known to
one another. NJ. Wrayson. II. lie Baron
de Courcelles. And Ida" she added,
turning to her companion. who had
moved a few steps apart. permit
that present to you. also, Mr.. Wray-,
son-Mlle. de Courcelles."
Continued in Tomorrow's Star.)