Evening star., 1923-11-11

|
strolling back to his cushions. "wom-
I en- don't listen unless there's a door
! between you and them"
At the end Of another ten minutes
Miss Norah Radcliffe herself. looking
| as self-possessed and unconscious as
! you please, came out onto the ter
| race. her arm round the waist of her
| elder sister. Evelyn Radcliffe looked
! pretty enough to turn the head Of any
young man.
J wherever can mother be-" she
said. greeting the two men. II would
have come down long ago If 1 had
| known you were all alone. Now,
Norah, dear. you must go back to
your lessons. You have wasted good
hour with me this afternoon"
Philbeach came forward with an en-
gaging smile.
"Ah, Miss Norah,' he said. I've
brought little present for you" And
he held out the cardboard box.
Norah took the box.
You are really very kind, Lord
| Philbeach." she said.
Philbeach. II you please"
Lord Philbeach. 1 beg your par
don. Are you sure you don't want
them yourself?"
Quite sure, thank you. I brought
them on purpose for you.'
Then I'll take them. Thank you
| very much. 1 didn't think there were
! such kind people in the world. 1 had
; and argument with mademoiselle
about that on9y yesterday. She
| said-'
Now, Norah." interrupted her sis
| ter, don't chatter any longer Go
back to the schoolroom."
I'm not in the schoolroom," said
Norah. I'm JUST around the corner.
1 shall be able to hear everything you
say" And she departed to her books.
**
EOR the next few minutes some
L what difficult conversation was
| sustained by the. trio in the wicker
chairs. Philbeach bore the burden
| Of it.
| The situation was terminated by the
| advent Of Lady Radcliffe. brisk and
! cordial.
Where is Norah?" she asked, after
having greeted her visitors.
Doing lessons. mother." said Eve
lyn.
Now, that is top bad of mademoi-
| selle.' exclaimed. Lady Radcliffe.
where is Norah-In the schoolroom? -
| NO. she is out here-just around
the corner"
Norah looked up with patient sad
ness as Lady Radcliffe appeared.
my darling" exclaimed her mother,
you look tired ous. Put your books
away now and go zand play"
Il haven't anybody to play with,
mother dear" Norah said.
TN play with you" said Philbeach
who with the others had been spec
| tator of this pathetic scene. What
shall 1t be? Cricket, or croquet, OF
what?"
"Oh, that is kind of you, Lord Phil
beach" said Lady Radcliffe. but you
mustn't bother yourself. about Norah.'
no. please dop'tS bother about me
Lord Philbeach," ssid Norah..
"Oh, nonsensews said Philbeach
! Come along now.z What shall we
play at?"
well, il you don't mind" said
Norah, II should lige little cricket
practice. I've got nobody to bowl te
me except the pony hoy. and the head
gardener won't let him come excep,
in the evening-grumpy old pig"
"All right! Come along, Wen &C
and play cricket"
Now, that is kind of Lord Phil
beach," said Lady Radcliffe. &c
along then, Norah." And she and
lPhilbeach went of together.
Nov. I must leave you two people
to yourselves" said Lady Radcliffe
I'T have to speak at the Primrose
League fete tomorrow, and haven't
quite finished my speech" And she
disappeared into the house.
Daubeny remembered Philbeach's
advice. Look, here. Miss Radcliffe
he said, jauntily, you and have been