The Dolores star., 1924-10-17
Chapter III

but there were occasions upon WnlCn
she could look stern. This was one of
them.
81 am never surprised at anything
that Gerald does" she told Christopher,
who was seated next her at the dinner
cable but | must say that | should
never have expected you to have been
mixed up IN one of his escapades.
What are you going to do with the
sirl2"
1--WE hoped" Christopher ventured.
little douhtfully, that you might be
able to make use of her as kind of
under sewing maid. or something OF
that sort"
"Thank you" Lady Mary replied.
without enthusiasm, 81 am perfectly
satisfied with the services of my own
maid"
Lord Hinterleys, who had taken only
a ianguid interest in the conversation,
intery ened for the first time
"Where is the young person now7"
he inquired.
"In some rooms one of the house
keepers mt the hotel found for me, sir"
Gerald replied.
Lady Mary rose to her feet.
81 can't decide" she said. which of
you two has lost his heart to this
paragon Of village loveliness. How
ever. | feel sure that my advice Is the
best. Send her back to her people"
Gerald strolled TO the door with his
sister and returned to his place, finger
Ing his cigarette case irritably.
Lord HinterIeys slipped his wine
thoughtfully.
II am not suggesting for n single
moment" he observed, that your atti-
tude toward this young woman is not
and will not always be entirely ire
pr0achable, but al the same time you
must remember that we are in coun-
try where such adventures are likely TO
be misunderstood. l feel inclined,
therefore. to indorse your sisters ad-
vice. l should do all that could to
encourage her to return to her people"
.'Well talk to her In the morning,
sir" Gerald promised.
81 shall retire to the drawing room
and persuade Mary to sing to me, and
you two young fellows can smoke to
your hearts content. Give me your
arm, Gerald"
Don't think we shall stop long, II
you'll excuse US, sir" Gerald confided.
MS he rose to his feet Its Christie
pliers first night in Monte Carlo and
/ want to show him the ropes Come
along old chap. and make your
adieux," he added, turning to his
friend.
Lady Mary made room for Chris
topher by her side. She was scarcely
possessed of her brothers good looks,
bur her complexion was good, her fea-
lures unexceptionable, her eyes clear
and as a rule sympathetic, her tone
and manner attractive. Her figure, es-
pecially in a riding habit, was unde-
niable. her skill at golf and tennis far
above the ordinary amateur. 1t was
not for lack of offers that, at twenty
four years Of age, she was still un-
married.
They talked for some time with In
terest Lady Mary's wit was keen and
her insight unusual. During a pause
In their conversation. Lord Hinterleys
looked across the room through his
horn-rimmed eyeglass.
Your friend seems to get on very
well with Mary" he remarked.
They've always been pals" Gerald
acquiesced.
Doing pretty well at the bar, isn't
he?"
'Thundering well. They say he's
certain to be one Of our youngest
X. Cs."
Lord Hinterleys said nothing for
several moments.
'Mary has her aunt's hundred thou
sand pounds" he SAID at length. "She
is difficult young person TO marry.
Knows her own mind, though.
should never interfere"
"Chris is good fellow, but don't
fancy he has any thought of marrying
Just yet" Gerald remarked. you
won't mind If take him off now, sir
We shall meet for lunch at the Golf
club tomorrow"
Christopher obeyed his friends sum-
mons without enthusiasm. Gerald
however, was both insistent and i'm
patient, and the two young men took
their leave few minutes later.
Gerald dragged his friend into the
bureau Of the casino, where they OBJ
tained their tickets for the Cercle
Prive, and afterwards on to the Sport.
Ing club, the Mecca of Gerald's de-
sres for the evening, at any rate
Christopher breathed little more
freely here than In the casino; the
atmosphere was less pernlciOns the
crowd by which he was surrounded
far more attractive. After Gerald mac
taken a seat at the baccarat table. ne
wandered around for some time, fasci