Evening star., 1928-08-30

TN hERE was large party 10 dinner
that night, and owing to the
presence Of the cricketers, a
preponderance of men for the
dancing afterward. Martin
found remote corner in the hall
where Lord Ardrington presently came
and joined them.
You see what your damned pune
tiliouSneSs is res s3onsible for" the lat
ter remarked irritahly, as Laurita
floated by claSped in Gerald Garn-
hams arms That's the last thing
IN the world wanted
II wasn't only punctiliousness, sir"
Martin protested.
Well, whatever II was. it's too late
now" Lord Ardrington reioined gloom
lily, IF / have to give in Gerald VIII
make her rotten husband"
Have you heard anything more from
her father Sir?" Martin inquired, max
ing an effort 10 change the converse
ton
For q moment the old look was back
his eyes. trembled in his suddenly low
cred tone,
Not 4 word
They've gone away. of course?"
SO far as l know they have. Yes
they've some away. But I'll make s
confession to ycu. Martin; the fear OF
those tito men is in my blood. fll
the house with guests, but II makes no
difference wake up sometimes in
the night and l fancy that / hear foot
steps. that there is some one in the
room, l can even see the knife gleam-
ing in the darkness. Porle had always
3 horrible hand with knife. or
course. in the morning the whole thing
seems ridiculous, but there 1t is. I'm
lust as likely as not to feel the same
way the next night"
WHY rot trayel?" Martin suggested.
"Take Laurita round the world"
The other shook his head.
They'd find me when they're ready.
II only Lauri;a was absolutely safe.
wouldn't mind. Their very silence terri
fles me. They are planning something
I'm sure Of that"
His voice was filled with namelesS
apprehension. The fear which lived
with him fingered in his eyes. He
brushed aside Martins attempt at
expostulation,
Listen" he went on, dropping las
voice even lower. that man Porle is
Ike some hideous. white -olooded ver-
n1inous creature, patient but unforget-
ting He was obligated to leave Eng
land because of some terrible scandal
when he was young mana young
man with brilliant future, too. He
told me the story soon after We met in
South America and he told me the
name OF the man who was responsible
for his downfall. Some day he said.
without a break in his voice. / shall
kill him. Years afterward We were in
San Paulo when he read that this man
was out buying horses. visiting some
ranches nearly thousand miles away.
He started the next morning-it was
three months before ! saw him again.
He came back with a horrible smile.
He never said anything / read In the
paper Of the other mans murder
done to death in lonely part of the
ranch he was visiting. The only re-
mark"
He broke of abruptly. Laurita,
flushed and happy. had crossed the
dancing space and stood Unexpectedly
before them. She held out both her
hands
viii you dance with me. please?"
she invited
Martin rose to his feet promptly.
IF you wish il. Of course"
They danced for some time. and the
music, with her perfect movements.
went a little to his head Afterward
they Sauntered out on to the terrace
and she led the way to two chairs at
the ouieter end
so you have come back at last TO
your neglected wife!" she laughed up
at him softly.
My neglected wife has been going
eli right, ] am told he rejoined.
-'Oh La ial" she exclaimed. Some
one has been telling tales. Still. neg
lectful husbands run a risk. Did that
never occur TO you dear Martini"
Are YOU trying TO make fun OF me?"
he asked simply
How do ! know?" she answered 81
have never any premeditatioR. / say
what comes into my head. Tonight
] happened TO see you looking lonely,
end felt as I did after that little
ceremony. So ] danced with you. and
now you have nothing to say TO me?
For a husband--do not look
ct me like that Martini shall say it,