Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-23
THE FORTUNATE WAYFARER
Bv E. PHTLLTPS OPPENTfEIM
Phillip oppd


been saying to her? The whole situa-
ton was to have been made perfectly
clear"
Il tried" she whispered "Laurita
isn't like ordinary people sometimes.
Talk to me after dinner In the mean
time you must humor her little.
Don't hurt her"
II wouldn't for the world" Martin
replied. But there's something ter
rfoly wrong somewhere. She doesn't
seem to realiZe-"
RESCUE. announcing dinner. Here for
while there was respite. They sat
at small round table and converse
ton vas necessarily general When
tne champagne vas serred, Laurita
raised her glass and looked across at
Martin There was a glow In her
eyes as She sippcd her vine. When
the meal was over and Martin stood
by the open door while they passed
| out, she raised her hand and pressed
| il to his lins
we dance soon-yss?" she muir
INJURED.
IF you WILL" he answered.
He returned to the table and waited
for the departure Of the servants.
The door was scarcely closed after
| MalloTes subordinate before ne
| loancd eagerly across to his i.ost
Il say, Sir-forgive mc--Dut ere you
| certain that she understands"
Lord Ardrington fi!led both glasses
Win port, pouring cut the wine with
great elaboration
why are you so concerned about
| tbis?" he asked.
Il haven't understood Miss Leurita
at all, sir" was the anxious rcol,. las
| you know, she went straight to her
room after the ceremony and s1.yct.
thsre all the afternoon and vas ter
| rlbly afraid that she had Iniauni.r-
| stood-that she didn't altogether trust
| me. Then, tonight, ynsn she come
down, from something she said, vas
almost sfraie-it almost s2euad &c
though it were I who didn'S und:--
| stand"
Lord Ardrington caressed his vim
glass lovingly.
"Is Seri5as Marriage Repe..:ant?"
Martin" he said, II will be ou.tA
| frank with you. set out to explain
| this matter TO Laurita as should have
| done to Blanche or any other young
| girl amongst my relations. I tried %
make everything quite clear. told
her of your pledged word. tried TO
point out-vaguely. oi course, but still
! nomical ceremony might save her
from. thought she took it all in, and
| yet at times I wa2n't quite sure.
| Laurita is very young, and she comes
| from a very emotional and passionate
race. watched her during the cere-
| mony, and I balieve honestly that tie
memory OF oil that had told her waS
SWEPT almost into oblivion by inst
touch OF drama, the curious excitement.
which must visit child of her tenn
| permanent standing side by side WITH .
man and subscribing to that service"
what are we going to do?" Martin
demanded. II can't El2st hsr eyss, sir.
There are things in them / don't know
how to reply to-
Lord Ardrington loa, 2cross at him
keenly.
"Tell me-" h. asked, SIS the idea OF
q serious marriage with M step
daughter such nightmare to your"
Il haven't considered It," Martin re-
| Joined. 1T never entered into M hcsa
| TO consider it seriously until Lst,v
Blanche warned me ard IatuitA cam1
downstairs tonight. IL was n,arSl.' InE
| shelter CT ny name which wac required.
You had right to ask this CT r13 an
was glad to give it. but r0w Don't
know where I am. don't knor ilo-
to answer Iaurita. Damn Il all, ST..
he broke out suddenly. ''vh.n she came
downstairs toaicht she acted as tscCeh
she expected me to take her into MY
arms as though we had really bs2n
married this morrirg, cs though ! were
really her husband"
Lord Ardrington smiled benignl-.
We'll" he said, ''Laurita is O very
| lovely child. Would 1t have bGen 50
| terrible?''
But, sir" Martin expostulated "whst
about my promise? What about the
conditions?"
/ Lord Ardrington sipred his wine.
| There are times" he remarked.
| little cynically, when the bourgeois
conscience is a terrible obstacle to civ
ilized life. However, Martin, no doubt
| your attitude is correct according 70
your lights. Let me approach the sun-
| ject from another point Of view. Lau-
rita is--well, as you see h2r-beautiful.
attractive in every way. What she
lacks in athletic proficiency she makes
up In her music, her dancing, her very
| beautiful voice. She Is NY adopted
| step-ciaughter. and has been received
as such by those OF my relations who
| matter. She has as much money a.
| you have She viii have more. Is the
! idea Of serious marriage with her re-
| pellent to your"
Continued in Tomorrow Star1