Evening star., 1926-05-10

hut your decision of seven years ago
must stand. and I yet have no word
that YOU have changed your mind. L
hear YOU no malice. Why should l?
It is YOU who have cause to be ag-
grieVed, But l must enter a solemn
protest against your action ana Col.
Grants in forcing Eileen to marry a
reptile like Alistair. If | am wrong
in this assumption, if you had no hand
in it. / ask, as last favor, that you
will take some means of letting me
know the facts. Time has scared the
old sores. It would be cheerful to
have your assurance that there are no
new ones"
Then, thinking to walk off the i'll
humor induced by his cousins letter,
he whistled up Spot from the garden,
left word for Mrs. Leslie that he
would not he in for lunch, and strobe
off across the Common Londonwards.
In two hours he was passing the Oval.
where a cricket match was in prog
less He was tempted to drop in, if
only for the sake of old times, but
Spot might not be admitted, so he
went on, crossing the Thames by
Nauxhall bridge. Growing tired of
pavements he made for s.. James
park, explaining to Spot that if a cat
might look at king a dog might Ger
tainly look at a. kings palace
Thus far the pace had been a good
miles an hour. Now he took
things more easily. He was aware. OF
course. that his companion attracted
much attention. 1t amused him 20
realize that not one person in hun
dred thousand met that day could de-
termine what sort of a dog this was.
Probably most people regarded Spot as
a new and large sized type of Chow.
a. Il
the Mall from st. James palace,
were greatly taken by him, and, ma
turally enough. glanced from the dog
TO his master. Recognition was i'll
stantaneous by all three. Panton
knew that these were Sir Arthur Fren-
sham and Capt. Bathurst. both of the
Guards. and, as he expected after a
look of blank amazement, they cut
him dead.
At least, he thought so. A flush
darkened his face and his eyes swan.
or course, this very thing was bound
TO happen, but 1t was none the less
unbearable for all that. So he did not
hear one OF the two running after him
until he was reused from q stupor of
wrath by the low growl with which
Spot warned him OF a stranger near
ness. BE il remembered they had
passed thousands OF people that day.
Yet this was the first time the dog
gave tongue. Evidently. therefore,
Spot was aware that this hurrying
person wanted speech of his master
1t was Sir Arthur. red and rather
fiustered, but impulsive as ever.
Dash it all. Johnnie, isn't that
Sou?' he cried. holding out his hand
'T was told you were in town, but
could hardly believe my eyes when
looked at you just now"
Your eyes have not deceived you
Sir Arthur" said Panton grimly, and
quietly ignoring that outstretched
hand. Don't let me detain you.
see Bathurst is waiting
Let him jolly we'll wait. oe. better
still, hook it," and the baroret waved
his friend on. Il haven't seen you
FOR donkey's years, and I've been want
ing all the time to have q word with
YOU. If l knew where to write I'd
have sent you a line. The devil take
you. aren't you going to shake a
paw"
Panton could not resist that. Their
hands met.
IT'S good of you, Arthur" he said
but not wise, you know. It's even a
trif1e hard on me-
THAT be blowed for tale! Hello
what's this?"
Spot, hearing a familiar phrase
wanted to be included in the hand
shaking. too.
That broke the ice more effectually
than any spoken word. Sir Arthur
seemed to be genuinely glad to see his
old friend and brother officer, and GER
fainly did not mean to part from him
after a mere exchange of civilities.
Look here" he ratified on, after
Spot had been properly introduced
..iet's go and have a bite somewhere
not in one of the clubs, which is sure
10 be crowded, but some quiet place
How about the Carlton grill?'
Panton laughed at Frenshams def
milton of one of the most popular
restaurants In London. Moreover, III
fully appreciated the tact which ex
rluded the service clubs.
Il admit / can eat right through