Evening star., 1927-12-11

"YOu brought an awful dirty
I've brought it for you to see-and
her photograph, too, though l can't
imagine how they got it. She'll be
most frightfully angry: and l only
hope and trust it won't rot the whole
show"
MY dear child if you'd tell me
what you're talking about
'Evelyn-my cousin Evelyn-Evelyn
Laydon-" Lacy's voice scared to
even sweeter heights.
We'll what about her?"
Idiot" said Lucy succinctly. She
pushed the Weekly Whisper across
the table. Read it for yourself. m
much too hungry to talk"
Manning picked up the magazine,
and frowned at a blurred version of
Evelyn Laydons latest photograph.
His frown deepened to a scowl as he
read the paragraph beside it:
"We all know Mrs. Jim Laydon.
Some of us remember her pretty.
tragic wedding. and poor Jim Laydon
and his cousin Jack-the Insepara-
bles as we used to call them. The
name held to the end, for Jack Lay
don was best man, and got his recall
an hour after the ceremony, just as
Jim did. And a week later they were
both missing and never heard of
again. Well, well, that's old history
anG all Mrs. Jim's friends will be
peased If, as I hear, they are to have
an opportunity very soon of wishing
her JOY and better luck next time
Manning flung the paper across the
room with a single explosive word.
Lacy's eyebrows went up.
Monkey, how can your
Whats it mean?" growled Man
ming.
We'll, there's nothing settled. but
l believe, l do believe she's going to
take Chris Ellerslie at last. Goodness
knows. he's waited long enough"
Manning made a dreadful face.
my good girl, what else could she
do?"
Don't be an IDIOT! She-she-don't
you see, Monkey? If Jim hadn't-if
things had been different" The
tears came with a rush into the
bright hazel eyes. Evelyn ought to
be going down to see her own boy at
school, and--I think it came over her.
And l think that's what's going to
give Chris Ellerslie his chance at
last-Monkey. l can't find my hand
kerchiaf."
Manning had not been married nine
years for nothing. He produced a
bandanna, passed it over the table,
and was rewarded by the instant ces-
sation of Lacy's tears and an indig-
nant:
Monkey, how can you? Pouf,
What have you been putting on it?''
Manning resumed his rejected of.
fering.
1.-The petrol gauge leaked, that's all
perfectly clean, wholesome smell.
ia rather have it than half the scents
you women use any day of the week.
But look here. Lacy-seriously-is
Evelyn engaged to this Ellerslie chap?
Has she told you anything? Or are
you just going by that poisonous
paragraph"
"Of course. I'm not" Lacy stuck
her chin in the air. NO, she didn't
exactly tell me. Evelyn doesn't
Doesn't what?"
Tell one things. And there's some
thing about her-you can't ask. We've
been like sisters all our lives, but
sometimes / feel | don't really know
a thing about her. When-when Jim
was missing and she was breaking
l.
whether she was breaking it for Jim
LaYdon or--for Jack"
Manning moved impatiently.
Jack? What Jack? What d'you
mean?'' His voice was very cross.
"Jim's cousin Jack, of course-Jack
Iaydon. Why every one expected her
to marry Jack and they were en-
gaged--I know they were; and then
something happened never quite
knew what, and it was all off
And then Jim got leave, and they
were engaged and married all in a
flash Mary ProtherO bet ten bob Jack
wouldn't have the nerve to be best
man. and when she lost she said he
did it to punish Evelyn. She was a
cat; | just loathed being bridesmaid
with her. She went round telling
every one that Evelyn really cared
for Jack, but. Of course. he was only
the poor cousin without a bean
whereas Jim would have Laydon Man
or. AS a matter of fact, she'd have
given her eyes to get Jim for her
self
Lacy was. leaning forward, pleas
antly flushed Manning's black eyes
rested on her for a moment with a
sharply sarcastic expression. Amaz
I
old scandals.
At this moment Brooks came ir
with the pudding. While he changed
| the plates Mrs. Manning gave him
three messages. recalled two of them
and ended with:
Tell Possiter that I'm going to lie
down after lunch and l want her as
soon as she's finished"
Yes, ma am" said Brooks. He
1 then came round to Manning's side
/ of the table, lowered his voice in a
manner which absolutely riveted
Lacys attention, and said:
Il give i'm some more Benger at
o'clock"
rs he awake?" asked Manning
sharply.
! No. sir, e is not, sir Drunk i,
/ down like baby with is eyes shut
: Let him sleep then"
; When the door had closed behind
brooks, words positively burst from
/ Ms Manning's lips.
". .Icnl5ey. what on earth was
/ Brooks talking about"
Manning began to explain. but was
not allowed to proceed very far.
| You brought him here"
".hell, yes. my dear. ,There-er