Evening star., 1921-08-07

even tho wildcat stocks in which my
poor misguided father lost most of his
fortune years ago. At times Mrs. Kip
would indulge in the most reckless ex-
travaganees and at others there would
|! seem to be scarcely sufficient available
funds to maintain her comparatively
small establishment and notices would
come from the bank that her account
was overdrawn quite alarmingly. but
she would always manage to recoup at
the crucial moment.
How ?" McCarty asked.
THAT was one OF the mysteries
which gradually seemed to arise about
her, at least in my mind" Miss Frost
spoke now with evident care. IT fan
cied she had influential friends from
whom she borrowed when necessary,
but I never could learn who they
were. Another thing about her which
I could not understand. Mr.. McCarty,
was the reason for her unexplained
absences at most-most unconven-
tional hours. Usually arrange a
daily social program for my clients as
though they were debutantes. but Mrs.
Kip soon gave me to understand that
she you'd exercise her own judgment
In such matters. I do not pry into the
affairs OF other people. but when am
practically responsible for their pres
! entation to the right society must
be sure that they do not jeopardize
my reputation as well as theirs by in
discretions. however innocent"
And Mrs. Kip was what you call
indiscreet, ma'am?" McCarty's own
words were carefully chosen.
The lady set her thin lips in
That is the mildest word with which
I can describe her conduct, Mr.. Nc
Carly. although I could not with
actual proof breathe q word against
her personal character or reputation.
1 only know that she would go out.
sometimes in the afternoon. but more
frequently at night. and remain until
all hours without word to me as to
her plans. and the next morning she
would invariably appear haggard and
worn. In state Of nervous exhaustion
bordering on prostration. as though
she had been through some feverish
Mccarty leaned forward with sud-
den interest
How often did she go on these ex-
petitions OF hers?'
Only occasionally at first and at
irregular. intervals: sometimes on sew
eraL successive days. and then a week
or Two would elapse before she went
1T seemed to me at times as though
she were fighting something. and II
were not familiar with the habits and
demeanor OF drug addict through an
unfortunate experience with former
client would have believed her a VIC
tim I forebode to question her at
first. but of late her disappearances
have become more frequent. averaging
several times a week. She has totally
forgotten or disregarded engagements
for social functions for which 1 had
been at infinite trouble and pains to
procure Invitations for her, placing
me in q most embarrassing position.
| Nd fN AhA
lost'all ambition for her own advance
ment and was content to drift. Her
financial affairs. too. appear to have
reached crisis, and felt that at last
I should be compelled to speak"
Miss Frost was nervously clasping
and a; hne. network of veins stood out
upon her forehead.
Did Mrs. Kip receive any messages
or telephone calls just before she went
out on'these occasions?'
Sometimes. but never knew their
nature. nor from whom they came"
did she go alone?"
'Tnvariably."
"And ;, como homo alone?" McCarty
insisted.
"As far as I know" Miss Frost
shrusEed. 'She always used her own
strutted to leave the chain OF the
door, but were never permitted to wait
up for her. did once, but Mrs. Kip
was 'displeased and made q most dis
tressins, scene. practically accusing
me Of attempting to interfere in her
but I realized that she was unnerved
and not quite herself and made allow.
ances, too, for her lack Of breeding
However. could not tolerate my po-
sition any longer after this morninE~
h..M Wnst, : happened: @ . ma'amz" McCarty
wanted, particularly to SEQ you about"
There was musicale last night
the last OF Mrs. Fales Ogden's Lenten
affairs, and one Of the most exclusive
Of the Season-and I had. with the ex-
eretse Of the greatest diplomacy. OBJ
myself. Late in the afternoon Mrs.
Kip went out alone and on her return
informed me fatty that she had made
another engagement for the evening
ana would. not be able to attend the
musicale. 7 was deeply affronted. but
IN my position. Mr.. McCarty. one must
use the utmost tact at all times and
DID not protest. merely dispatchinr a
last:minute excuse of sudden iIiness
to Mrs. F'ales Ogden. Mrs. Kip did mot
dress Tor dinner and about 10 O'clock
she toailed:a taxi instead Of her motor
and want out in the plain velvet tailor
afternoon,
"MyiSdiscontent in my position had
been growing and was seriously con-
sidefinG. the severance Of my connec-
tion with Mrs. Kip; her dereliction last
night was the dnal straw and deter
mined that this morning we must have
a Thorough understanding. I could
not sleep under the circumstances,
so Know definitely at what hour
Mrs, Kip returned" =.
She phused and McCarty eyed her
expectantly. Mrs. Kip had been at
pains to impress upon him the fact
that she had retired early. Had she
gotten the uncompromising Miss Frost
out Of the way that her lie might not
be refuted?
''WellF' he urged. as tho elderly
COMPANION was still silent. .
'Mr. McCarty. 1t was almost day
light, heard her close the front
door downstairs and slide the chain
into its groove. although she did 1t as
quietly as possible. Then she came up
the stairs, stumbling and catching at
the: baiustrade as though she were
faint or Ill I arose and was on the
point Of going to her when remem-
bered .her .displeasure on that former