Evening star., 1923-07-11
THE EVIL SHEPHERD
By E. Phillips Oppenhein.
Copyright, is2s. BY Little. Brown 3 Co.,

peautiful hair. She reused herself a
title as they swung around. He
paused, leaning upon the pole.
You are not angry?" he asked.
mo, am not angry" she answered.
"Why should / be? But l cannot talk
to you about it tonight"
They glided to the edge OF the
landing stage. A servant appeared
and secured the punt.
rs Sir Timothy back yet?" Mar
garet inquired.
Not yet, madam"
She turned to Francis.
Please 60 and have a whisky and
soda In the smoking room," she said.
Il am going to my favorite seat. You
Will find me just across the bridge
there"
He hesitated, filled with a passion
ate disinclination to leave her side
even for a moment. She seemed to
understand. but she pointed once more
to the room.
Il should like very much" she added
to be alone for five minutes. If you
Will come and find me then-please"
windows into the smoking room,
where all the paraphernalia for salts
Tying thirst ware set out upon the
'sfdeboard. He helped himself to
whisky and soda and drank It alb
sently. with his eyes fixed upon the
81
once more back into the gardens.
soft and brilliant now in the moon
light. As he did SO, he heard the
click of the gate in the wall. and
footsteps. His host, with Lady Gym
thia upon his arm. came into sight
and crossed the lawn toward him.
Francis, filled though his mind was
with other thoughts. paused for a
moment and glanced toward them
curiously. Lady Cynthia seemed for
al he Il
ness. Her eyes were very bright, she
walked with a new spring in her
movements. Even her voice, as she
addressed Francis, seemed altered
some of the wonders of his villa-do
you call 1t a villa or a palace?" she
asked.
ut is certainly not a palace" Sir
Timothy protested, land / fear that
1t has scarcely the atmosphere of a
certain ideas of my own with the
requirements of modern entertain
us, Ledsam."
I have just had one" Francis re-
piled. Mrs. Hilditch is in the rose
garden and L am on my way to join
her"
He passed on and the two moved
toward the open French windows. He
crossed the rustic bridge that led into
pergola and came to a sudden stand
still before the seat which Margaret
had indicated 1t was empty but in
the corner lay the long -stalked lily
which she had picked in the back
water. He stood there for a moment
| transfxed. There were other seats
and chairs in the garden. but he knew
before he started his search that it
was in vain. She had gone. The
mower, dropping little now though
the stalk was still wet with the
moisture of the river, seemed to him
like her farewell
CHAPTER. XIX.
Francis was surprised, when he
descended for breakfast the next
morning. to find the table laid for one
only. The butler, who was waiting,
handed him the daily papers and
wheeled the electric heater to his
side.
rs no one else breakfasting?,
Francis asked.
Sir Timothy and Mrs HiIditch are
always served in their rooms. sir.
Her ladyship is taking her coffee up
stairs"
Francis ate his breakfast. glanced
through the Times, lit cigarette and
went round to the garage for his car.
The butler met him as he drove up
before the porch.
Sir Timothy begs you to excuse
him this morning, SIR" he announced,
His secretary has arrived from town
with very large correspondence
which they are now engaged upon"
And Mrs. Hilditch?" Francis ven
tured.
II have not seen her maid this
morning, sir" the man replied. 'but
Mrs. Hilditch never rises before mid