Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-27
Continued from Yesterdays Star.



and all having their foundation in a
desire common to humanity, high anc
low, which is to live without working.
The product of great school, he hac
found himself at an early period OF his
life with no other assets than charm
ing manner, the ability to converse
pleasantly and a host of eXploitable
friends He went where his accomplish
mentS paid the biggest dividends. and
being unhampered by a conscience OF
handicapped with too stringent sense
of honor, he came naturally to the
society of men and women who lived
by their sharpness Of intellect. He had
run gambling houses cat one of which
he had first met Dora, and found in
her a partner equally free from stupid
scrupleS); he had Unanswered intimate
robberies that had something of black
mail in them; he had dabbled in race
-:ack frauds of an unobtrusive charac-
aer and had made his many enterprises
profitable.
Between the second and third acts OF
a play to which Dora had taken him,
he strolled out into the lobby. There
We're people who knew and nodded to
him, only one who made any effort to
get into conversation, for Martin was
not of the gregarious kind. He pre-
ferred the company of his own thoughts
at any time, most Of all tonight.
10. Elton"
He smiled mechanically and would
have moved on, but the man who in
tercepted him was willingly blind to his
desire for solitude.
"Stanfords gone to Italy, they tell
me-that fellow is certainly the bird
that's in two places at once. Anything
doing?"
Nothing" replied Martin pointedly
London has been very dull since Me-
lila SnowdenS rooms at the Albemarle
were burgled and her pearls lifted"
Slick Smith laughed softly.
mot guilty" he said, and anyway,
they were props. The burglary was
more genuine, but the scraam her press
agent raised is just publicity. My opin-
ion Of Melilla, both as an actress and
a woman, has gone right down to the
mezzanine floor. A vamp that can
teaching Sunday school. II you got any
kind Of work I can do let me know.
But it must be honest"
Come round some day and fix my
kitchen stove" snarled Martin, who was
not in the best of humor.
Stoves are my specially" said Slick,
unperturbed. Have good cigar?" He
offered tH7 his case.
Maybe you're right" agreed the
other. They were a Christmas pres
ent. I can't get anybody to try em
out. 1t will be tough on me if have
TO do the pioneer work. Seen Shan
non?"
Martin sighed heavily.
MY dear fellow, I haven't seen Shan
non and I don't want to see Shannon
More to the point, I'm not in the mood
for conversation
That's pity" said Slick regretfully.
I'm feeling chatty, and I'm tired of
talking to myself. I pail oh one"
You're in danger of palling on me-"
Martin smiled in spite of himself.
Il felt that, too. I'm responsive to
atmosphere. There's whole lot in this
aura theory. Lacy Marshalt'S not like
that"
There was no especial emphasis to
his words He was lighting an expert
mental cigar as he spoke, painfully and
apprehensively.
II don't know very much about Mar
shalt" said Martin shortly.
Don't suppose you do. I know him
slightly. He's thief, too. And the
things he steals leave kind of gap.
You're a pretty good fellow, Elton"
The seeming inconseql<ence of the
last remark was not t'st upon his
nearer
Il don't think I'd go aIy farther If I
were you" said Martin Elton quietly.
you're trying to be kinM, aren't you?"
Not trying. do these things nat
urally." Slick Smiths smile was broad
and disarming. There goes the bell
I wonder If she married the duke and
sent her village swain back to the fam
lily woodpile? I guess she didn't-they
never do in plays"
That raw night, as he was driving
home he thought of Slick. He had not
enjoyed the play, neither. had Dora and
a sense OF restraint had fallen upon
both. The drive was unrelieved by any
spoken words.
He followed her up to the drawing
room, well prepared for the outburst
which was due and, unless the was mis-
taken, was coming.
What is the matter with you, Bun
ny? You've hardly spoken word this
evening. I'm tired of your sulks! You
make me so nervous hardly know
what I'm doing!"
He bit off the end of cigar and lit
1t, his attention on the match.
I'm not Sulking. I'm just thought
full, that's all" he said, throwing the
stick into the fire before he sat down
in a corner Of the roomy settee. Have
you heard any more of your sister,"
mo, haven't" she snapped, land
] hope to God I never hear from her
again! The whining little jail bird!"
He took his cigar from his mouth
and examined it carefully
Il don't remember that she whined,
and if she's a jail bird we made her
So" he said
She stared at him in amazement.
That's new tone for you to take
Bunny. You practically threw her out
of the house last time she was here"
He nodded
Yes, haven't forgotten that" he
said quietly. London is a rotten place
for pretty girl to be alone in, without
money or friends. wish I knew where
she was"
slow smile dawned on her lovely
face
You seem to have had visit from
r. Z. Morse, Esquire" she said ironi-
cally. But then, you always fell for
pretty face"
He made gesture Of distaste, There
we're moments when the groundings Of
Westminster College started up from
their sleep and made themselves evil
dent
Her prettiness weighs less with me
than her helplesSness at this moment.
She didn't write?"
"Of course she didn't write" said his
wife scornfully. rs that what has been
making you so glum? Poor Bunny"
she Knocked. He has a soft heart for
beauty in distress!"
He looked at her for second-a cold
scrutiny which aroused her to fury.
What's Wrong?" she demanded, her
voice trembling with anger Tell me
what's en- your mind-there's some
thing!"
Yes, there's something" agreed
Bunny Elton. in fact, there are several
something's and Audrey is one Of them
The girl may be starving. God knows
what may have happened to her"
Let us leave her to His keeping,
she said with much piety, and his
ewes narrowed