Evening star., 1923-09-16

! morning 1 received "a letter signed
l-whethe1 1t was he or not---is COM
ing here this afternoon"
The three girls stared at her in dis
may But mother!' exclaimed the
eldest.
She did not give her time to con-
Time. II knew your brother" she
said, "--Geoffrey, his name was
when he was a young man. 1 shall
be aole to tell whether this is he or
not"
DO you think it may not be?'' ask
ed one of the girls.
There was n case. many years ago,
where a man came from Australia
and claimed 60 be heir to file estate,
and he was proved to be an i'm
postor. But n much shorter time has
elapsed in this case. and I am not
likely to make that mistake"
win he claim this estate, if it is
hep" asked the eldest girl
mo: he can claim nothin'. except
the title. Your father could leave
Spronie as he liked"
shall we see him? VIII he stay
hereg'
"He did something disgraceful when
he was a yonng man-after he had
had every chance. For years after he
went to Australia he was a constant
trouble TO your father. Then ne dis
appeared entirely. and we know moth
/ ing of what he has done since--if
this is he"
The girls still looked troubled.
"He is our brother" said the eldest
of them.
"If he is what he should be- said
Lady Provost. ''we will make him
welcome as your brother. Your dear
father would have wished that"
X + u X
i@EoFFREY PROVOST walked up
io and down the long library in un-
| comfortable nervousness. Very little
| was altered in the room since he had
last seen it. and he had been in no
| such rooms as this. once so familiar
TO him, for many years.
His face was thin and worn. his tall
body gaunt and angular. Work had
left its mark on this man, but there
| was something in his face. and in his
| carriage. that still spoke of birth and
breeding.
The door opened. and Lady Provost
| came into the room in her black
gown. Her face was unmoved, and
! she walked toward him with a steady
step, her eyes fixed upon his face. She
did not offer to shake hands with him.
but looked straight at him for an
| appreciable time.
Well, are, you satisfied that il is
II" he asked. with a nervous laugh.
She turned away from him and mo-
toned him to a chair, while she
| took another. YES" she said. But
1 was not at all sure that IT would
be you"
She waited for him to speak. He
took the seat opposite TO her. You
are not giving me a very warm
welcome, Edith" he said
Il would rather that you did not
call me that" she said at once.
Whatever there was between US.
you broke it. and no one ever knew
of it. 1t has been forgotten many
l y
He laughed again, with some bit
| terness. 81 didn't behave well to
you" he said. 'T didn't behave well
In any way. in those days Still, you
! haven't suffered much, have your
NO." she said calmly.
! You don't seem to be suffering
much now. What exactly has hap
pened-Lady PrevostT'
What do you mean? You know
what has happened. Your father died
-" She gave him the date.
II know that My letter reached
him the day before his death, and he
answered it on the same day"
She looked at him steadily. There
was no shrinking in her eyes, not a
shade of heightened color on her
cheekc. She seemed to be searching
his eyes for signs of confusion.
"Have you come here to tell me
thatT' she asked. and the only diff
ference in her voice was I'm a hint OF
dawning surprise and indignation.
do you deny it?"
''of course I deny it. You know
that it is not true"
| He looked long at her in his turn.
That's it, is it?" he said slowly.
''You deceived my father. I thought
you must have done that, but I
wouldn't be sure until I heard it from
your own lips
~Will you kindly tell me exactly
what you mean?" she said. What