The Curved Blades

and even gay. Enthroned on her favorite red velvet chair, resplendent in an elaborately decorated gown of sapphire blue satin, with her bright au

earls. So remarkable were these, that the Count, who

nderful. Practically priceless, I assure yo

ormal home evening wi

s must be worn frequently to preserve their lustre. L

here? Is it s

Safe Deposit only this morning. I shall return them there in a fe

idn't you, Aunt Lucy?" said Pauline, casua

ok them over and pla

uired the Count again; "

robbery in Merivale Park. It is a

t on the Count; "you take

really no danger. Count Charlier, would you like

ll fair. She sometimes amused herself by making records for her

he asked, as he rummag

ongs," and Miss Carrington

and Haviland placed a

smiling; "don't mis

ugh and not a sound from the lady herself. Then the recorded voice said: "This song is one of Carr's favorites, I'll sing it for h

that the incident of the singer listening

"It is indeed pleasant to preserve one's songs thus.

viland, cordially. "Come over some morn

will give the invitations to my own house, if you please! Count Charlier, if you

cousin of Miss Carrington, and, while he lived with her in the capacity of a business secretary and general man of affairs, the post was a sinecure, for the services of her lawyer and of her social secretary left little for Haviland to do. His salary was a

sent cousin, was by no means treated as an equal of Miss Carrington herself. It seemed to give the elder lady delight to domineer over her niece and in e

intentions of leaving Garden Steps, but so

r tempers, and galled their very souls, but it was that or dismissal, and thus far they had stayed. Matters were nearing a crisis, however, and Haviland's patience was so sorely strained that he was secretly looking for anoth

f another sister, was engaged in antiquarian research in Egypt, where he had been since his graduation as an engineer. He,

wishes, had left his entire fortune to Lucy, his only remaining child. Thus her niece and nephew were her only

ucy Carrington was proud of her beautiful niece, and, too, was fond of her in her own way.

lly for short visits from his now permanent Egyptian occupation. He had always come laden with gifts of Oriental prod

speech to Gray Haviland, Pauline picked up an antique scarab fro

cast furtive glances at his hostess,

athing reproach to Pauline for intruding herself upon the Count's

hild!" And Pauline, unable to control herself longer,

If you don't, you may have cause to regret it. Count Charlier came here to see me, and I

embarrassed Count, "allow me, madame

nts behaved so rudely and played so badly it was impossible for us to continue the game. Nor ca

ittle hesitatingly, followed her. They crossed the great hall, and, going through a rece

pose the palms and orchids will bring him up to the scratch? 'Nita, I'll bet you a box of gl

read presence was removed. "I doubt he can help himself. She has h

. "He's a typical fortune-hunter, that man. Indeed, I am

that he's a guest of the Frothinghams. T

well, they're to be queried. But I say, Polly, if the

ing, of course, and send us away from here. I, for one,

very day she pounds us wor

de beauty were about as convincing as a kitten declaring himself

is not in my line, but the eternal fitness of things requires her removal to another sphere of usefulness. She

n to him, Mr. Illsley. He often says such things, but he doesn't mean th

cy Carrington is a misery dispenser, and such

don't like her, and so we see nothing good in what she does. Now

d he doesn't know the everlasting torture of living under her roof, year in and year out! But he caught on a little the la

letter over six times before she was satisfied. And every change she wanted ma

line. "You have your hours off, Anita, but I never do. She even wake

ley, and then all stopped short, for the obj

excitement. She giggled almost hysterically, and tapped the Count pla

had declared himself or not. The presumption was negative, for, h

no more demonstrative to his hostess than to the others, and went away. Illsley follo

cy's boudoir. It was by way of reporting for to-

opened the bedroom and bath, was sof

harlier?" Miss Carrington quic

Just a typical French nobleman, isn't

t sincerity. "Yes," she returned, "he is infatuated, I have reason to think. But-we sha

morrow?" asked Pauline, and, though she tried to sp

ink, Pauline, that it must be an irksome task to do the smallest favor for your aunt and benefac

e, Aunt Lucy, if you we

es? I give you a home, fine dresses, money, everything you can want, and you

don't! I di

top short of that! But you have done it. I mean this, Pauline: to-morrow you go

yne's soft voice implored gently--"d

t is your last beneath this roof! You are two unworthy girls, to scorn and slight the hand that has fed and clothed you and given you luxu

he house forever, but always forgiveness and reinstatement had followed. This time, however, the Lady Lucy had

h maid, and then told her to hast

appeared; "I'm not retiring at once. Get me out

tly obeyed orders and brought a whit

ington. "Bring the gold-emb

n one, from M

at Christmas time. My, but it'

aste, and he had sent her a typical Egyptian robe, of pale green silk, heavy with

emoiselle's hair?" ask

ll read awhile. You need not

s of milk, ma'mzell

ose I can see

will have your tea at

ou might remember that much yourself. But

it is eight, and, again

most exasperating! Why do you st

le; the pearls? Shall I

m in the safe mysel

le, on your dresse

to get out and stay out! Do you

moiselle;

il glare of the French girl's eyes, but