Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-04

upon the polished table. dishes Of fruit
and nuts, and profuSion OF flowers
The four men all wore dinner clothes
and possessed the air of having just
concluded some heated discussion. They
studied the newcomer with a curiosity
which seemed to him entirely inexplic-
able and which succeeded In render
ing him to the last degree self-con-
Scious. He stood twirling his tweed
cap in his fingers, looking about him
in perplexity-~a tail. broad-shouldered
young man. with pleasant face, mildly
freckled complexion. good mouth and
jaw, eyes from which CLEAN of 'humor
was seldom absent, and mass of light
colored hair which grew too thickly to
lend itself readily to control. His other
features were without any special dis
tinction but not displeasing. His car
riage. under ordinary circumstances.
repaid him for good many hours spent
in the gymnasium.
II say, what I'm here for?" he asked,
finding words at lest. II was just pass
ing down the street when the door
opened and / was told to come in.
don't know any of YOU. haven't any
business here?"
The man whom Martin had rightly
OWNED to be host. rose to his feet.
4
seated and hts voice, Notwithstanding
its slight draw, was unexpectedly
pleasant.
You are here at my special request"
he announced II am exceedingly
obliged to you for coming. Permit me
to introduce myself. My name is Ard
rington. Will you take seat and drink
glass of VINE with us?''
Martin hesitated for moment. then
moved slowly forward The man on
his hosts left-hand side rose and drew
up chair in which the newly arrived
guest uneasily seated himself.
My apologies are due you for this
interference with your evening, and also
an explanation which ! shall presently
Offer the hest Of the party continued
pray. let me fiji your glass, Mr.--by-
the-hye. what Is your name?"
"narneg--Martin Barnes
MIR. Martin Barnos--ex eellentl And
now 10 commence Our acquaintance
which / trust may be lasting enc, let
me ask you great favor Would you
mind e2tinguishing the cigarette. which
appears to be of a brand with which
am not familiar. until after you have
drunk your wine?"
The young man looked around help
lessly. His neighbor on the iett ~.
lieved him of the Objectionable cigarette
and dropped 1t gingerly into howl Il
flowers.
Later" his host proceeded, "it would
interest me to have your opinion of
that wine. For the immediate present
YOU would. dare say. like to know the
reason why / have engaged such an
unusual effort To secure the pleasure of
your company this evening"
"TAe Fortunate Wayfarer."
Martin toyed with his wine glass and
took further note of his fellow guests
IN somewhat dazed fashion He had an
instinct for such matters and he real
lied quite well that these men were of
different class to any with whom he
had boen previously associated
Il should like TO know what II all
means, II YOU don't mind MINI ---
Ardrington," he confessed.
Lord Ardrington," the man on hts
left whispered
That Is OF no consequence. the
person so designated declared. Here,
then Is my explanation. Permit me to
make you known to the rest of the comp
any. Mr. Martin Earnes. whom under
the circumstances we will call The
Fortunate Wayfarer' Helsby on my
tight here, my physician Mr., Borden,
by your side, my laWyer-~and facing
me. young man known very we'll in
certain circles OF modern life as Gerry
ciarnham. but more formally designated
the Honorable Gerald Garnham~~my
nephew and the heir to my estates"
rs oil this part OF the jose?" the
young man In question sneered.
You ere very hard TO convince, my
dear Gerald" his uncle complained
"but ! can assure you that the Joke does
not exist The only person In position
TO extract any element of humor from
| tonight'e proceedings will be myself
Now my dear MINI. Barnes let me
| further confidc TO you the somewhat
| distressing Information that In all prob
| ability within week from this date /
| shall be dead. You win find no one
here likely TO dispute my statement
my doctor lcas Than anyone You are
probably too sensible young man TO
nave made an intimate study Of neernge,
! and you are therefore not aware that,
! for twelfth holder OF the title, | am
stngnlarly devoid OF relatives. Ny
/ nephew, the young man opposite. II
/ my heir. Lord Ardrington he most cer-
| tainiy viii be. and by no possible means
can / rob him Of the title. but In these,
probably the last days OF my life, ] find
| m'.8elf forced TO remember that In
every possible manner my graeelesa
nephew has displeased and angered
me !"
The Honorable Gerald kept silent
with An evident effort at self restraint
/ His uncle sighed as though little tits
/ appointed that he had failed 10 elicit a
! yetart,
] Look hare, We don't seem 10 be get
ting on. Martha Barnes yentured. X