Evening star., 1921-05-29

naO no lued tHdt IL was HtI e
she said. 1T is a picture of my eldest
sister. or rather my step-sister.
The change in her manner was so
apparent that. under ordinary cir
cumstances. Wrayson would not have
dreamed Of pursuing the subject. But
the conventions Of life seemed to him
small things just then.
your step-sster!" he exclaimed. "I
had no idea-shall I meet her this
afternoon?"
MOI" she answered gravely. What
do you say-shall we go out now?"
She took up her racket, but he lin
gered.
Please don't think me hopelessly
in9uisitive. Miss Fitzmaurice." he
said. but I have really reason for
being very interested in the original
OF that picture. should like to meet
your step-sister."
You will never do so here. am
afraid" she answered MY father
and she disagreed years ago He does
not allow US to see or hear from her.
We may not even mention her name"
Your father" Wrayson rcmarke ed
thoushtfully. is not a stern parent
by any means"
II should think not" she answered.
smiling. Dear old dad. have never
heard him say an unkind word to any
one in my life"
And yet" Wrayson began.
hesitatingly.
do you mind If we don't talk any
more about it? she interrupted sim
ply. II think you can understand
that It Is not q very pleasant sub
ject. DO you feel like another set, or
would you rather do something else"
Tennis. by all means. if you are
rested" he answered. We will find
old 0nnnnonf1 a cha he
again."
Wrayson made a supreme effort.
and his spirits for the rest Of the
afternoon were almost boisterous.
Yet all the time the nightmare was
he caught sight Of his host moving
about among his guests. beamdng
and kindly. His daughter, The colo
nel's daughter! What was he to do?
The problem haunted him continually.
All the time he had to be pushing it
back.
The guests began to depart at last.
BY o'clock the last carriage was
rolling down the avenue. The colonel.
with a huge smile of relief. and
large cigar, came and took Wrayson's
arm.
Good man. he exclaimed. you've
worked like Trojan. Well have one
whisky and soda eh? and then I'll
show you your room. Say when
Tive enjoyed myself immensely
Wrayson declared. Miss Edith has
been very kind to me"
I'm glad you've made friends with
;. her" the colonel said. She's a
ha harum-scarum lot. I'm afraid. and a
sad chatterbox. but she's the right
sort Of a person for man with
nerves. like you You're looking bit
Wrayson would have spoken then.
but his tongue seemed to cling to the
roof of his mouth He had been ask
, ed to bring his clothes and dine. and
in the minutes solitude while he
changed he made a resolute effort to
| not the slightest doubt in his mind
that the girl whom he had surprised
in his room, ransacking his desk, and
whom subsequently he had assisted to
escape from the Mansions. was iden-
tical with the original Of this por-
ter. With a fash Of horror, he re-
membered that it had been the colonel
him self who had pointed out the pos
sibility OF a woman's hands having
Half dressed he sat down in a chair
and buried his face in his hands.
The dinner gong disturbed him. He
| sprang up. tied his tie with trem bling
fingers and hastily completed his toi-
| let. Once more. with a great effort.
anu IN dluOSt fEChIGSS It6oEI u ms
| hosts champagne. he triumphed over
the demons Of memory which racked
his brain. At dinner his Rayety was
almost feverish. Edith Fitzmaurice,
who was his neighbor. found him a
| delightful companion. Only the colo
anxiously. He recognized the signs
Of high pressure. and the light in
! Wrayson's eyes puzzled him.
There were no other men dining.
and in course OF time the two were
left alone. Tho colonel passed the
canter. which. however. he only Of
fered in a half-hearted way.
''If you don't care about any more
wine" he said. I'VE might have a
| smoke in the garden"
Wrayson rose at once.
Z should Ike It," he said abruptly.
7 don't know how it is. but I seem
They passed out into the soft. cool
night. A nightingale was singing
somsvhere in the elm trees which
sweet With the perfume Of early
long. deep breath Of content
Let us sit down, colonel" ne said;
I have something to tell you"
The colonel led the way to = rustic
seat. few stars were out. but no
moon. In the dusky twilight the
shrubs and trees beyond stood out
! with black and almost startling dis
tinctness against the clear sky.
You remember the girl told you
about, whom l found in my fiat. and
afterwardr' wrayson asked hoarsely.
The colonel nodded.
Certainly! What about her? To
| tell you the truth. l am afraid =
Wrayson stopped him with quick,
| fierce exclamation.
1oln hA U1tt
| until you have heard what have to
say have seen her picture-today."
! The colonel removed his cigar from
Her picture" he exclaimed. 'To-
day! Where? My dear fellow. this is
Again wrayson stopped him. this
| time with an oath.
I'm your house. colonel" hs said
Your daughter showed it to mo
| In an album"
The colonel sat like a man turned
to stone. The hand which held his
cigar shook SO that the ash fell upon
his waistcoat
that it was your daughter! Miss
Bdith's step-sister! Forgive me,
colonel! I had to tell YOU"
The colonel seemed to have shrunk
| in his place. The cigar slipped from
his fingers and fell unheeded onto
| the Rraaa His mouth trembled and
/ twitcaned pftifully.
"My-my daughter Louiss:'' he fal-
tered. 'Wrayson. you are not seri-
ousc'
| ut is Gods truth" Wrayvon an
svered. ~ would stake my soul upon
1t that tho eirl-I told you about
| was the original of that picture!
When look at your daughter Edith I
can see the likeness"