The Washington herald., 1921-08-28
THE HOUSE THAT STOOD BACK


your basket. match. n possible. for
for the occasion. All. yes. thanks-thatu
dol"
Turning away with the offered red flower
in his buttonhole. he walked now at pace
wsch told Of . settled purpose. Which pur-
pose took him straightway to q certain
famous square that u an acknowledged
center Of the center Of things. The house
hs approached was brilliantly lighted and
gay with towering window boxes; a foot
man hovered. waiting. near the great cream
apdgold motor that purred by the curb;
the doors stood open: there were siimpses
Of more flowers. more footmen. an immacu-
late butler. nuttering French maid.
A. he halted another figure appeared. .
woman'a She paused for . moment while
the maid placed . cloak on her shoulders,
then advanced. slowly descending the steps
The cloak wis an chiffon and lace and en-
broideries. transparent and airy a. . cloud;
through It there showed the curves Of .
perfect figure. the glitter Of jewels on neck
and arms. the gleam Of q wonderful frock;
the light was bright upon piled blonde hair.
upon the rose and white Of beautiful face;
she was Of q type that. while hardly past
girlhood. blooms into vivid and superb ma
turity. Barraclough gave q laugh. advanc.
ing He thrust away the lowering footman,
as she reached the car stood bareheaded with
the door held wide.
1T Is . nns evening" he said smiling.
and bowed to her. She fell back with caught
breath.
-o!" she easpeA "O!" and stared at him;
her rose overwashed with the pallor Of
fright He repeated the smile-it was very
ugly.
"A fne evening"" he said again. AN
evening to herald q perfect day. Tomorrow
should be all that can be desired. You think
so?"
"why-what do you-How-how dare
you" she stammered. incoherently. And
with the disjointed words sprang past into
the car. "Go-go away" she painted, and
covered with scared eyes. "I-I- Bar
raclough smiled once more
You are well content!" he suggested.
suavely. 20. do not doubt it, The dia-
monds are admirable. And the frock-
Paquin. I think? All. yes-the touch is in
imitable! By the way. my apologies-I once
called you worthless. Most unjust! At the
present moment you are. incontestably.
worth q great deal-'
-This-this is hateful Of you'll LII won't
be insulted" she cried. shrinking more and
trembling. BarTacioush. sweeping q bow that
in Its depth touched mockery. was aware
o: another figure descending the steps. .
man pompous and portly. bald and norid:
knew, as he moved away at q pace studiedly
slow. that. after q moments hurried colloquy.
he was followed His stop and turn were 50
abruptly sharp that the other started almost
recoiled- And. recovering. burst into speech
Of agitated bluster. suffering:
-what-what's the meaning of this, sirf.
Re demanded IL am"
Frightened" supplied Barraclough,
smoothly. smiling.
Indignant, sir-most indignant TIT
l. Infamous that you should-I don't know
whether you are drunk"
Not yet" said Barraclough. more blandly.
lit Is an outrage. strI If-n 1t should
occur again I warn you that shall at
once"
Go to the DEVIL" said Barraclough, very
pleasantly. His hand on the others collar
sn ung him about, he laughed and walked
or. In q minute the motor passed him; he
had glimspe Of a blonde head. Of Jewels on
white neck. and opposite q face Of flushed
rage and perturbation. His sauntering stride
took him out Of the Square, took him through
adjacent squares. He paused presently to
glance at his watch. from it to the name
Of the street Time was getting on. And
rear was . certain night club. heard of be-
cause unsavorily notorious. but never seen.
At the back Of his mind there had perhaps
been some idea Of the nightclub? This turn
ing should be on the way-he went down the
turning. A street of nat-faced houses, dull,
respectable, silent And. but for himself,
empty. Odd. how at certain hours, parts
o. this vast London. the throngsd and throb-
bing. could seem moro utterly deserted, soil.
tary than
IT L. gone! What shall 7 do? I have
dropped. lost It! All. little imbecile am, I
cannot 90! And there Is nowhere else. My
faith. what shall do?" moaned voice.
It spoke in French. A voice. broken, half
sobbing. bewtldered. panic-stricken. And GER
tainly feminine. Barraciough. walking in
tie roadway. swung round. On the pave
n-ent. in the shadow. a dark shape stopped,
shook its garments. searched. It seemed
wildly. with fresh CALCULATIONS Of dismay and
distress. He advanced. hesitated. spoke.
Il beg your pardon" he began. IL.
The figure, girl or woman, started up.
Nh mi aha nr-iad . Va. ,....A -. .-~.h.