Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-15

If indeed 1t was intended to convey
welcome, was more cynical than kindly.
What the devil do you want to see
me about, young MANI" he demanded.
Don't you know that I hate visitors?
Why do you suppose / keep all my doors
and gates locked and my walls spiked?
It's an internal shame I can't be left IN
peace.
well. ! don't know that was par
sicularly keen on coming" Martin re-
joined as soon as he had recovered from
his surprise. When l hear that you
were alive, I thought I had 10, that's
ALL
What difference does the fact Of my
being alive make?" Lord Ardrington in
quired. Sit down. If you want to. Over
there"
Martin accepted the chair indicated
The singuiarity Of his reception seemed
for some reason or other to have put
him almost at his ease.
1T makes this difference" he ex-
planned. You gave me that money be-
lieving that you were about TO die. Now
that you are not going to die, how do
you feel about it?"
There vas a faint elevation Of the
lines on Lord Ardringtons high and
well shaped forehead.
do you mean to say that you have
come here simply to ask that question:"
he asked tremendously.
For no other reason in the world"
And If. finding myself alive and able
to spend my own money, l have re-
pented of my (shall We call it freak
ish'?) impulse, are you going to offer to
make restitution"
II shouldn't give it all back to you"
Martin acknowledged. THAT wouldn't
be fair. because have given up my job.
and / should hate to go back TO It.
but might make an arrangement"
Lord Ardrington seemed to have lost
most of his preliminary irritation. A
CLEAN Of hurnor lit his eyes.
You might make an arrangement,
eh?" he repeated. Capital I like
Barnes. You might make an arrange
gent. eh?"
That appears to me to be reason
able" Martin declared. Il shouldn't
give you the lot back. AS I've said, I've
changed my whole manner Of life and
should hate to so back to where
was"
Lord Ardrington once more scruti-
nized his visitor thoughtfully.
Quite a rnetan1orphosis,' he muir
INJURED. Some one has taken you to
good tailor and taught you iz.-=y t.
| choose the right sort Of clothes. I sup
pose that was GeTald's doinr How the
| devil did you come across him and
Lady Blanche?"
Il met them in the park. Mr.. earn
ham stopped and spoke TO me. He told
Lady Blanche who was and she SEEM
| ed interested
| Lord Ardrington grinned.
so ! should imagine" he murmured.
She always took an interest in the I'm
usual"
| Martin flushed but remained silent.
| Lord Ardrington seemed to have gone
| on into brown study. For a short
/ space OF time he took no notice what
ever Of his visitor. Then he turned TO
| him abruptly.
/ ter?"
/ There was a note OF interest in his
| tone which seemed at the time mex
phcable. Martin was a little taken
aback
You mean the young lady who was
with Lady Blanche this morning."
"Of course. Where else could YOU
have met her?H
Well spoke to her for only a mo-
ment. thought she seemed very beau
tlTul. Is she altogether English?"
No Lord Ardrington Acknowledged.
Her father was an Engiishnan. Her
mother was Spanish Argentine-a
very beautiful woman. her mother"
L can well believe it." Martin as
sented.
"Laurita has just left boarding
school. Lord AriringtoO continued,
speaking almost as though to himself.
Il am going to find the charge Of her
very difhcult-very difficult and per-
haps dangerous -
Dangerous" Martin repeated. a liz
tie puzzled
Lord Ardr;ngton's face seemed sud
denly worn and tired There vas a
shadow Of fear in his strangely DARK
eyes.
There is a tragedy connected with
L.aurita.T he condded. speaking once
more With that curious impersonality.
as though he were recounting facts 70
himself rather than imparting them.
II brought her away with her mother
from little town IN South America
when she was only years old. I have
educated her as though she were nv
own child. settled a small fortune
upon her long ago. or that little wind
fan would never have come your way
but it may be that nothing I can dc
can save her"
Save her from WHAT" Martin
asked
From the shadow of that tragedy,
was the gloomy reply.
iCcntinued in Tomorrow's Stsr,l