The Gay Adventure

w that the morning was upon him and the London sparrows twittering optimism, he could not dwell seriously on the indignation of his hostess. "Oh, it is bound to be all right!" he sai

heard the melodious strain: "Er ist ein braver Kerl, der sich nicht erzürnt. Er ist e

ght. What amusement fell to his share he was ready to accept with a youthful zest, but he was old enough not to pursue happiness too zealously nor to magnify trifles. A kiss was well enough, provided it embarrassed neither the recipient nor himself. He was never a man to raise false hopes or win success by lies or a pretended love. His philosophy embraced th

his collar. This she was allowed to remove with the most absolute decorum; but when the operation was finished and she smiled persuasively, he stroked her hair paternally and said, "You must not be foolish, my child." Miz

, for in brief moments of doubt he had thought that perhaps his imagination had played tricks: the night and artificial lights might possibly have lent her a fascination that would pass with the dawn. Could there indeed be

e no reference to the impasse of the night before, and Lionel was too full of the present to dwell churlishly on the past. Instead, they talked cheerfully of trivialities for a time, and then Miss Blair announced he

ry reason for staying away until he could earn some money. True, there was no immediate prospect of acquiring any; but at least he was in the middle of an interesting experience, and he had promised to help in a burglar

seven. Lionel was put down at the flat and Miss Blair went on to the theater, from which she returned late at night. Supper followed, and then they smoked and chatted for half an hour before going to bed. Li

r conviction of a great conspiracy, devoted to her absent husband, resolute to strike when opportunity offered-such was Beatrice Blair. When he was in her company he could not doubt her; alone, he could not help wondering what this Arabian Night might

laughed at; now that the opportunity had come he was loath to use it; but in a subsequent conversation she had learned that he had written several plays, all unacted, perhaps even unread. One lay at that moment in the office of Ashford Billing,

than a friendship to him. Only the remembrance of Lukos kept him from showing something more of his real feelings-the remembrance of Lukos

onel grudgingly admitted that perhaps he had been a little to blame, but, illogically enough, he resented the atmosphere of respectful condemnation. More than once he had tried to dissipate the unhappy misunderstanding, to restore things to a more friendly-but not too friendly-footing. In this he had not been successful. To his cheerful and carefully comp

the matinée. Lionel, provided with one of her cards, was to follow her and see the play, for as yet he had not watched her on the stage. The experience proved delightful,

it seemed, with something of compassion. Her attitude was almost that of a perfect mother to a well-meaning but erring child. "Hang it!" thought Lionel, as he waited in the sitting-r

, placed a cake-stand within easy reach, paused to make sure she had

o a resolution while w

gh Mizzi, to tell me why you surround me with the wet-blank

nk pity in her eyes. "It is be

l briskly, glad to perceive a thaw,

l," observed Mizzi wit

a sting, for there is the comfortable reflection that the graybeard may be repeating a mere formula, and that he, too, enjoyed being a fool in his day. To be called a fool by a youthful enemy is only to be ex

ctious cachinnation, but still it was a laugh. "Wil

he same gentle tone. "It is because

litely, "but I have no wish

cried, "you are the same as the rest! Show a man a pretty face and

ed, "though why I should trou

el, but he felt sh

servant! Yes, it is true-but an honest true woman

her with a gentle firmness by the arm.

opening it she looked up with appealing eyes. "Ah, monsieur!" she whispered piteously; but he was in no mood to be melte

ring out a cup of tea; "I did not t

the lack of all apparent motive for deceit, his uselessness from a blackmailer's standpoint, and the rest,-and the strength of them gave him fresh courage. The strongest argument of all, the remembrance of Beatrice herself, almost clenched the matter. Almost, for he

ttle tired, but full of kindliness and mirth. "Oh!" she cried, as she entered t

ted," said Lione

er?" asked Beatrice, pausing i

elessly. "It is true we had a s

words. "A differen

ce. The unlucky words had slipped fr

ut?" asked Beatrice frigidly

lies, and to this peerless creature a lie would be doubly treacherous. On the other hand, somethin

"that the moment your back was turned

le," said the lady with

maid served it with a certain coldness of manner. I asked the reason, and she accused me of folly in being dev

out a

rm's length," sa

ative manner, and then, more b

instant? What a Nemesis for how trivial a misdemeanor! He heard the bell ring again, as the impatient Beatrice pressed the electric button, and sweat broke out upon his foreh

pose ... but we must make sure

y knocked on the bedroom door, but received no answer. Beatrice opened the door and peered within. She switched on the electric light and they advanced. In th

e lady in a whisper of

onel with a vast cheerfulness. "But she

ely. "This is no ordinary desertion. It mea

nst the suddenness of this. He sat down a

hy of your talents. Reflect! Your servant runs off in a petulant fit, and lo! you

mile that was gra

said gently, "that

ed him of her sincerity more than any rhetoric could have done. "I

able. I thought her true, and one day, when I was in need of a woman's sympathy and help, I told her all