The Washington times., 1931-09-07
CHAPTER XXI


Collin CarstairS postponed his
sailing. It was perfectly evident
to him that quietly, almost unob-
trusively and, as it were, natur'
ally, Cesare Gill had become an
intimate of the Carstairs house
hold. He was a rather silent
young man, who spoke Of his
past Florentine existence rarely,
and then with a deep melan-
choly which his hearers, not In
the least understanding, still re-
spected.
He had excellent manners,
good looks, and a great deal Of
charm. Mrs. Carstairs found
herself liking him-with reserva"
tions. The reservations had to
do with her niece. She found
that, for some curious reason,
the girl was not herself when
Gilli was around.
Had 1t not been for this
strange effect upon his "old
friend" Jennie Carstairs would
have liked him far better. But
as it was, her long experience
of Europe and Europeans Gre
ated a little intangible doubt Of
this almost too correct, and
sometimes quite evasive young
man. in her mind.
Nothing She Could Find
It was nothing she could lay
her finger on and something
she kept to herself, even when
Collin, losing no time in express
ing his disapproval, informed
his mother, in no uncertain
terms, that there was something
decidedly "fishy' about their
new acquaintance. He, too, had
noted Gilli's effect upon the girl
he loved. He said to Jennie:
"She's afraid of him.
But" said Mrs. Carstairs,
that is nonsense! It is your
imagination"
mo. it is not. She is always
on her guard when she talks
with him, when any of us are
there. Several times. when
they have been alone together
I have come into the room sud.
denly, I've found them argu.
ing oh, not loudly, but
still none too pleasantly, that
was obvious He was silent,
remembering that on one occa-
sion he had heard Gill say,
under his breath: You'll play
the game my way or not at
ALL" Whatever it meant. it
was pretty high-handed and
Collin grew more and more to
dislike the intruder.
anchor, tactfully ques-
toned upon her knowledge Of
him, said evasively, that she
had met him some years ago,
that he had turned UP in San
Francisco and had been very
kind to her there. She had not
attempted to establish the fic-
tion that her friendship with
him dated from Hawaiian ex-
perienceS. Tony, she knew,
had never been ~ Hawaii and
there was no sense in making
things more difficult than they
already were.
Her Great Problem
EVELYN in her present plight
was very much on her mind
and heart. On several occa-
sions she had conquered her
fear and horror of seeing the
girl and had begged Tony to
let her do so. But he refused.
"You will only upset your
self-and her" he had said.
There is, really, nothing to
be gained"
She was forced to agree with
him.
She lived in a constant state
Of fear concerning his unknown
next move. For the present, he
seemed content to drop in for
tea, to be asked to dinner, to
Join them at the opera or at
the theater or at a supper club.
To be introduced to various Of
the Carstairs circle. with whom
he became very popular. He
was something new; he was, to
all intents and purposes,
vouched for: and he was-he
must be-eligible. He dressed
well, appeared to have money.
and now and then returned the
invitations given to him by
small, perfectly correct little
parties. The girls found him g
"knockout," the men agreed
that he was a good sport.
Just Marking Time
But Fanchon knew he was
marking time.
one day, in carly winter, she
had a. letter from him. She
opened 1t with a sinking heart
and read the few lines it con-
tanned.
"I must see you. alone" IL
began without pream b ! e.
Rlea@ arrange o time. ]
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