Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-22
TONY, let me co.!
s.T'ya M RIGHT 70 taiich Won ~

L We no TiSHI W lcutfi yOu.
"No," said Evelyn. 1t was such q
most. He did not know whether the
little lift of the breath made a ques-
ton of it or not.
He let her go. turned jerkiy. and
went out of the room without a word
and without looking back. The outer
door shut heavily.
The jade bowl tilted more and more
in Evelyn's shaking hands. when the
door shut it dropped and the vlolets
were scattered silver stream OF
water began to wind slowly among
the winding patterns of the Persian
rug. The jade bowl lay on its side.
The water made a dark pool and three
little winding streams
Evelyn stood and looked through
her tears at the spilled violets.
Ten minutes later Sir Henry Pro
there found her with the tiwoers in
her hands. and the jade bowl full
Of fresh water. in its place. There
was still q damp patch on the floor.
Evelyn pushed all the violets into
the bowl, and kissed him.
Darling, are you early, or am l
late?"
well, it's O'Clock" said Sir
Henry. II think you said g."
"Eightish. Sit down and be good. /
won't take minute to dress"
Sir Henry gazed at her benignly.
MY dear, are you not dressed?'
Darling, of course not. This
holding out fold of blue marocain-
this is an afternoon garment" She
came nearer and sunk her voice to a
whisper. IF were to dine in it, Pom
son would leave me-"
Good graciousi AS bad as all that?
| Now, on my unenlightened eyes after
noon dresses and evening dresses all
| look very much alike nowadays. They
| all have low necks, and-er-no
sleeves, or next to no sleeves, and
they come to an end with-er-most
surprising suddenness. Run away and
put on the evening frock, my dear,
and then I'll tell you whether I can
detect any difference or not"
| After dinner, when Ponson had
taken away the coffee cups and Sir
Henry had settled himself really COM
fortably in the biggest armchair, Eve
Ign brought what she called a pOufe
and sat at his knee. 1t was an orange
pouffe with gold dragons at the
| corners and it contrasted wildly with
| the brilliant emerald of her tea gown.
Now let's talk business" she said.
II do hate mixing it up with meals
don't your"
Sir Henry looked gravely at the top
of her head; it was just below the
level Of his eyes. He felt no enthusi'
asm at the present prospect of talking
business; he would certainly have
avoided doing so had it been possible.
AS it was not possible. he made a
plunge.
my dear. the whole thing is very
difficult"
How do you mean, difficult"
1 mean complicated. It's very com
plicated."
Evelyn laughed lightly.
TITS not as complicated as Cotty
thinks it is. Cotty'd make a nursery
rhyme sound complicated. l car
imagine his producing version OF
Jack and Jill that would be as unin
telligible as a Cubist picture"
Sir Henry did not smile.
I'm afraid this business is quite
complicated enough without Cotty."
Evelyn patted her knee.
Don't worry, darling. Well get
it all Strengthened out. Tell me-you
went to the Upton street registry Of
fice?"
Yes"
"And you looked up that entry? Jim
Fields MARRIAGES. it there? Or did
Cotty's detective invent it to keep
him happy?"
Sir Henry looked away from his
niece and fixed his eyes on his own
big hand, which lay idly on his knee
Got to tell her-got to tell her
better not make a song of it-better
get it over quick" was his thought
But the silence grew, and he found il
difficult to begin. Half a dozen ways
of telling her presented themselves
only to be rejected. And then she
was asking:
did you go? Did you find it?'
Eyes, my dear, I went" Extraordi
narily difficult business this.
And you found the entry?"
Eyes, I found it,"
"Oh! Do you know. I really die
hope it was a mares nest. should
love to catch Cotty out"
mo, the entry's there. I made q
copy of it. The date is December the
7th, 1914 There was certainly mar
rage between James Calthrop Field
bachelar. and Pearl Harriet May Palli.
ser. widow"
Widow"
Eyes, apparently. Why?"
az didn't know she was a widow"
do you mean you know her."
"N-no. 1 know Of her."
You say you know of her. Do you
know-do you happen to know
whether she and Jack Layton were
at all friendly?"
Evelyn did not start, but she drew
back a little. 1t was as if cold breath
had passed between them; there was
a little chill upon the easy friendli
ness of their relation.
She said: Eyes, they were friendly
in the same noncommittal tone in
which one says Its fine day."
An awkward business-a very
awkward business-must get on with