Evening star., 1921-05-30
THE AVENCER
By E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
A Tale of Political Intrigue and Private
Revenge.
by Brown Coz
Copyright by Little. Brown 4 Co. ]

gravely. II was at his house yester
day. ] only came up this morning. I
beg your pardon. You are not WELL,
Every vcstige of color had left her
cheeks. The baroness touched her
foot under the table. and Louise found
her voice with an effort
How did you know that Col. Fitz-
maurice was my father" she asked
breathlessly
Il found picture in your sisters
album he answered.
The answer seemed somehow to re-
assure her. She leaned A little to-
ward him. Under cover of the music
her voice was inaudible to any one
else.
Mr.. Wrayson." she said. please
don't think me unkind. know that
i have a great deal to thank you for,
and that there are certain explana-
tions which YOU have almost a right
TO demand of me. And yet l ask you
to go &way, to ask me nothing at ali.
TO believe me when | assure you that
! there is nothing in the world un-
desirable as any acquaintance be
tween you and me"
WraysOn was staggered, the words
, were so earnestly spoken. and the
look which accompanied them was SO
eloquent. He was never sure. when
! he thought il over afterward, what
manner of reply he might not have
which was absolutely convincing.
! But before he could frame an an
sweI- the baroness interviewed.
Louise. she said softly, do you
not think that this place is a little
public for intimate conversation. and
will you not introduce to me your
friendo"
Wrayson. who had been afraid Of
dism issai, turned at once. almost
eagerly, toward the baroness. She
smiled at him graciously. Louise hest
rated for d moment There was no
smile upon her lips. She bowed.
! however. to the inevitable.
This is Mr.. Wrayson," she said,
quietly. The Baroness de Sturm.'
The baroness raised her eyebrows
and she bestowed upon Wrayson A
ccmprehendins look. The gracious
ness of her manner, however, under
went no abatement.
Il fancy. she said that I have
heard OF you somewhere lately. or is
il another of the same name VIII
YOU no; sit down and take your coffee
with us-and a cigarette-yes?"
We are keeping Mr. Wrayson from
his friends. no doubt" Louise said
coldly. 'Besides-do you see the time
Amy
But Wrayson had already drawn up
a chair to the table
Il am quite alone" he said IF |
/ L
Why not: the baroness asked
passing her cigarette case. You
can solve for us the problem we were
JuSJ then discussing. Is il CONNIE IL =
faut, Mr.. Wrayson. for two ladies'
one Of whom is almost middle le-aged to
, visit a music hall here in London un-
escorted"
Wrayson glanced from Louise to her
friend
May I inquire" he asked bIandIy,
which is the lady who is posing as
beng almost middle aged"
The baroness laughed at him softly.
with a little contraction of the eyc
| hrows. which she usually found eff
| fective.
We are going TO be friends" Mr..
! Wrayson: she declared You are
| sitting there in fear and trembling
and yet you have dared to pay a com
pilm"nt- the first l have heard for.
! on so many months Do not be
| AFRAID Louise is not so terrible as
| she seems | Will not let her send
YOU away Now you must answer my
thing. Louise and IT,
| ASSuredly not" he .ns.a.od
eravely. when there is n man at
! hano who is so anxious to Offer his
! escort as l. ~
The i.h,e baroness clapped her hands.
DO you hear. Louise" she exclaimed
- near Louise answered. dryIy
: Inc baroness made a little erimace
GU are in an Impossible humor
! my dear child" she declared Never
theless, ! declare for the music hall
ano an, tor the escort of your friend. Mr..
; "rayson. If he really is in earnest
! can assure YOU" he said, that
| you would be doing me a great kind.
ness in allowing me 10 offer nv
| services
The baroness beamed upon him
amiahIy. and rose to her feet.
! You have come" she ayoved lin tim.
TO save ME from despair. am not uset
10 going about so much unescortod. anc
I am not SO independent as Louise
See. she added pushing d gold purse
! toward him, you shall pay our bill
! while we put on our cloaks. And will
you ask afterward for my carriage.