Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-13

and then it's business, business, the
whole blessed time. You're so afraid
of losing an order that you don't give
yourselves time to enjoy life"
1T is rather rush, he admitted
He hesitated for a moment. Won
dering whether tn tell her OF his al
tered circumstances Then he decided
against II. invented tentative en-
/ Eagement. and babe her goodnight
you can take me home If YOU wait
another 10 minutes" she suggested.
CHANGING at the clock
He remembered when this had been
( a privilege Of which he had gladly
svailed himself Now the idea seemed
Infinitely wearisome, Once more ne
excused himself, and, taking his de-
parttIre hurriedly. made his way bac,
10 tho hotel and his room.
Through the wide-fiung window h.
looked down at the city. now moro
or less silent; a strange medley OF
roofs and spires. the corner Of the
street which had led him to adventure
lust in view. the Cathedral Spire loom
ing ont of obscuritv, menacingly black
It was the same city in which he had
toled honestly but ANONYMOUSLY, the
same city upon which he had looked
from barely furnished bedroom In
a cheap hotel flushed with his small
success or den eSSed with failure Such
successes! Such failure He was puzzled
as he tried To understand his present
mental attitude How could the mere
possession Of wealth affect his whole
outlook upon life. fill him with a sort
of Shuddering distaste of the treadmt'
which before he had accepted as
matter of course. II life under these
new conditions had something more
to offer him. as vet it was undeclared.
All that had happened within himself
was destructive, The old life hal
passed away under the blight Of shrink
ing but ineXplicahle aversion Maisie
Percy Ouillaud. the promenading shop
girls out for an evenings fun. the
barmaid at the Lion. all these were
surely the puppets Of some previous
existence.
The Barricaded Estate.
Martin. the next morning. after a
leisurely drive from the CITY. brought
his car to q stsndstill before the grea.
gates which might we'll have guarded
a fortress, and looked about him for
a moment with an air of bewildermenf.
For mile or more the road had skir;-
ed a high wall beyond which was
vista Of nothing but trees and broSe'7
country. Now entering the village IL
self. thu wall, with its formidable
spikes. had curved suddenly inward.
and inhospitality became almost men
ace There was something grimly for
bidding about the fast-closed gates ard
drawn blinds of the porter's lodcc-
Martin turned to a laborer. who was
passing along the lane.
rs this the entrance to Ardrington
That be the entrance surely ho
admitted. but / don't know as they'll
let YOU go in
why not?"
His lordship's orders. the man re-
piled. and pursued his stold way.
Martin blew his horn. At first without
result. Presently. however, a posterh
gate opened and a stslwart man ii
old fashioned livery came out. His
manner was nnt ingratiating.
What might you be wanting" he
demanded.
L want to 60 up to the house" Mar
tin explained. Lord Ardr:ngton Is
there. isn't he?"
His lordship is in residence" the
man acknowledged. but he receives
no visitors"
Martin was taken aback There
seemed to be something more than
ordinary inhospitality In such hl'n'
statement.
You mean to say that can't drive
IN TO the house and leave a message
ne persisted.
You can't pass through here. sir.
IN no conditions was the firm re-
ioinder IF you've business with has
lordshiu. you'd best write"
Martin sat and considered the stu
alton for a moment. just then from
inside came the sound of the hootin3
of an impatient motor horn. The man
disappeared through the small door
which fastened after him with sprlnG
lock. and Immediately afterward the
gates were jealousy opened and small
car emerged. the two sides swinging
back again to within foot OF the rear
wheels. Martin, however proflteo MOTH
ing from the glimpse he might nav"
had Of the great COURTYARD within
His eyes were fixed upon the girl dr'"-
jny the car. There came to him q SUI
den and comolete confusion OF tn
senses He was conscious of emotions
he had never felt in his life before
mixture of 10Y, excitement and some
thing that was almost fear. she loo<o0
at him out of her blue eyes. and tho
haIf-mocking smile which he mad never
forgotten parted her lips. The car was
brought to a standstill by his side
How do YOU do. Mr.. Martin Barnes
Lady Blanche asked affably.
Il am quite well, Lady Blanche
thank YOU" Martin replied.
She studied him for moment WIN
slightly uplifted eyebrows. realizing,
perhaps. his embarrassment without
any idea as to its cause. Her natural
vein of kindliness asserted ltSeH: Her
slight drawl was more pronounced than
ever as she gave him time TO recover
himself.
How surprising to find YOU In this
mart Of the country" she observed. and
at the impossible gates. too, thought
YOU we're settling down SO happily IN
London. By-the-bye, you don't want to
see my uncle, hope? He is INDUCING
inst now In another fit Of eccentricity,
for which we have to pay the penalty
All visitors are shot at sight or thrown
into the n1oat That's SO, isn't 1t, Rey-
nolds?"
The man touched his hat.
II wouldn't go so far IS that, my
lady" ne replied. but no visitor has
nassed through these gates since his
iordship issued his orders"
Il did rather want to see Lord Ard
rincton." Martin confessed. Il had no
idea that there was likely 10 be any
difficulty about IL. Perhaps l had bet
ter write"
Come round here and be introduced
To my cousin" she invited
Martin descended hastily and made
his way To the other car.
This is Mr. Martin Barnes" Lady
Blanche announced. turning tn the girl
by her side who is by way 81 being
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