Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-15
TheD Door Of Death
By John EsteOen .
's' North A:;sss s Alliance ana ~''H''
By John Esteven I
have always hada cult for the beau.


have always had cult for the beau
tiful."
The moments passed. It began to
was o fool to stand aside with re-
gard to Eleanor, and that had no
obligation to Carl Ballion. I hated his
airs OF proprietorship; felt sudden
flame Of hatred for him. Why did he
stand in the way Of what I wanted?
What presumption had he in her-as
II the love Of women were not free field?
Evidently, though, luck favored me.
On account of his brother, their mar
riage had to be postponed, and post
pcnements Of the kind were ill-starred.
Now the queer thing about this was
that I did not consider her attitude in
the matter at all-it did not occur to
me. looked at her in q new light,
as an exquisite object Of possession, to
be secured in one way or another.
And, weighing myself against Balloon,
1t seemed that / had more to prefer
than sentimental humbleness had led
me to believe. II he was prominent in
his career, was not unconsidered in
mine. II he had future, so had I.
II he had acquired q. fortune now
at his brothers death, was not with
out wealth. Now, for the first time,
the personal sense.
On the other hand, Carl Ballion had
physical qualities that lacked-daSh,
and bravura. But there chung to. him
his n-omened connection with Francis.
1t would not be difhcult to keep her
mindful Of that by casual insinuation
Why, he even resembled Francis-more
tonight than ever, thought. How could
she forget what had happened at Grey
house? How could she marry the
brother Of Francis Ballion without
was my best card, and I resolved to
play 1t. 81
Her manner gave me a vague en-
couragement. She might have been
expected, without any lack of polite
ness, to betray. a, greater interest in
him than III me. 3ut her impartiality
struck me s. INTENDED to convey a
hint; 1t Tas emphatic, and I was
shortly aware that Carl was no less
alive to the fact than i. For instance,
when he attempted to center con-
versatton on their mutual concerns
she kept drawing it away, reviving
our experiences of last Summer, the
rides we had taken, the people we
conscious Of. two impressions: First,
that Carl Balloon, after curious stare
that might have meant anything, grew
'outwardly more affable. more plant, as
1T were; and second, thaS Eleanor
seemed to sense conflict and enjoy
| it. Her inpartiality was equally
| provocative. One felt that the curve
-of her lips, the softness of her hair
that strange smoldering Of her eyes
Once or twice, I recall, 1t seemed to
me that was dreaming, that this
altered relationship between the three
of us could only be a phantaSm, and
that I should wake to solid reality
But the illusion persisted-a sense OF
hate, greed, desire, cased in good man.
| ners, and all of this like so many
poison fumes lying heavy between the
paneled ceiling and tapestried walls
breach of confidence.
I've been concerned with your an
cestry this afternoon" I told Carl
but the remark was for Eleanor. 1T
seems that Morse is still interested"
"Really?" he smiled. well, they
are interesting, the BagIoni. though
I should think a city detective might
have more pressing claims on his time.
And what was your verdict, about
them?"
oh" I laughed, "politeness forbids. IS
Not in the least, Richard: I'm not
sensitive. They were scoundrels,
weren't they? I haven't my brothers
information, but there were no doubt
q bad lot. I'm exceedingly proud OF
them," he added.
That's q question of taste" 1
answered.
why. Of course, It is-just so. They
were rascals, to be sure; but they were
princes, captains Of armies, and patrons
of art. At least, they were not COM
monplace. ] don't see why / should
rather descend from honest yokels;
though doubtless" he continued suavely,
you have no, objection in your own
case. As you say, it's o matter Of pref
erence."
had cut a poor figure IN this ex-
change and sat cropping for an answer
The only retort that occurred to me
would have been objectionable, and
would have left me in . stil shabbier
position, so that was reduced to
silence, and attempted to pass It on
with 4 smile. There was O shade Of
pity, I thought, In Eleanor's eyes rs