Evening star., 1925-02-21
Continued from Yesterdays star.)

The man who answered to the
name of George Patterson stepped
forward. He had the air of being
taller than his scheduled height His
beard and hair were unkempt, and
the scar set down against him was
q red seam tha ran from the left
temple to the chin, where 1t lost
itself in grizzled hair. He stopped
and walked with a dragging step.
Henry, who for the moment was
speaking to Sir William, looked al
him casually enough. He opened his
list, and in turning the page, the
papers slipped from his hand and feh
George Patterson picked them up
Henry went on to the next name.
Jane had keyed herself up to
meeting him at teatime, but neither
Henry nor Sir William appeared.
Cant. March is an extremely con-
scientious person" said Lady derl-
tage. 1t was not a trait which ap-
neared to commend Itself to her. L
should think he must have inter
yJeUed the very black beetles by
now. Have you been passed, JET
frey?" s.-.- H~-
"I don't know" said Mr.. Ember,
but it hasn't taken away my appe-
tito for tea .-..-
In fact, It had not. 1t was Ray
mond who ate nothing.
Jane and Henry did not meet until
dinner time. AS she dressed Jane
kept looking at herself in the glass.
She was pale, and she must not look
pale. She took towel and rubbed
her cheeks--that was better. Ihen
a little later, when she looked again,
her eyes were far too brlght, her lace
unnaturally flushed.
"As II any one was going to look at
Won at aIl-idiotr' she said.
After this she kept her back to the
mirror.
In all the books that she had ever
read the secretary or companion in
yariably wore a dinner dress of black
silk, made, preferably, out of one
which had belonged to a grand
mother or some even more remote
relative. In this garb she outshone
all the other women and annexed the
affections of at least two of the most
eligible men.
Renata did not possess a black silk
gown.
THANK goodness, for I should look
perfectly awful in it," was James
thought.
with almost equal distaste she
viewed the white muslin sacred to
prize-givings and school concerts.
Attired in this garment Renata had
played the Sonata Pathetique"
amidst the applause of boarders and
parents. With this pale blue sash
about her waist she had recited How
They Brought the Good News from
Ghent to AK" Jane tied it in a
vicious knot. Her only comfort as
she went downstairs was that it was
impossible to look more like school
girl and less like a conspirator.
Sir William and Henry were in the
hall-Mr. Ember, too, close to the fire
as usual.
Sir William jerked his head in
James direction and grunted, Miss
Molloy, my daughters secretary"
Henry bowed. Jane inclined her
head.
Next moment they all turned to
watch Raymond Heritage come down
the stair.
She wore black velvet. Her neck
and arms were bare. A long rope of
pearls fell to her knee.
Jane wondered whether the world
held another woman so beautiful.
then looked quickly at Henry. and
the same thought was visible upon
Henry's face.
Dinner was not a cheerful meal.
Lady Heritage hardly opened her
lips. Sir William sat hunched for
ward over the table; when addressed
the remark had to be repeated be-
fore he answered; he drank a good
deal.
Jane considered that a modest
silence became her, and the converse
tion was sustained with some effect
of strain by Capt. March and Mr..
Ember. They talked fitfully of poll
itioa, musical comedy, the weather
and the American exchange.
u Yaa - xalieet e 1AnA - least