A Lost Leader

ering as he fidgetted about waiting for the woman whom he had come to see. He was conscious of a restless longing to open wide the windows, take the flowers from their vases, throw them into the stre

object. He was already in a state of n

ir brushed back, her complexion pale, her eyes brilliant with a not altogether natural light. She regarded him with a curious mixtu

she exclaimed. "Were t

was half ashamed of his irri

he answered. "Your typ

was only h

lse wrong?" she dem

he assured her. "W

he light died o

to Brighton for the day.

"I only wanted to know whether

the girl answered. "She is almost

nod

now any one-a man named Borro

head a littl

other speak of

riend of h

party at the Savoy a few

sin

about him a great deal.

ely. "By the bye, do you think that she is

shed up to h

is. If any one asked her questions she would be more than likely

he could see the whole pitiful little incident-Borrowdean, diplomatic, genial, persistent, the woman

e were full of appeal. She sat close to him,

r to-day," she murmured. "You look stern,

e answered, with a sudd

brings you, pity and nothing else. You know very well what a difference it makes to me. If I have your work to d

"Hester, have you thought over what

ook he

ing?" she asked, quietly.

would not let you g

swered. "Sometimes I think that s

ded gr

erstan

nd, please do no

iends are not fit friends for you. She has chosen her way in life, and she will not brook any interference. You can do no good by remaining with her. On the contrary, you are

hen that under different conditions she might have

y. "I shall always like to think o

hy

hesi

e when I went away for a week. Some of-of mother's friends came to the house then whom she will n

reason for this visit. He had argued for himself. It was his own passionate desire to free himself from associations that were little short of loathsome which had prompted this visit. And then what he had dreaded most of all happened. As they sat facing one another in the silent, half-darkened room,

eath which her features were indistinguishable. She brought with her a waft of strong perfume. Her figure was a living

a ghost! Hester, go and see about some tea, and a brandy and soda.

twisted her veil, drew out the pins from her hat, and threw

when I am out. I don't understand it. It can't be that you want to see that chit of a girl of mi

rose to

you were," he answered, "but I will

at

ely with my niece and myself. She is an ex

s not in themselves unattractive, but a complexion somewhat impaired by

me?" she ask

ed her steadil

said, "that such a

n, and she did not be

the country. That's what you mean, isn't it? And I should like

ed, though almos

nd our simple life would not attract you in the slightest. With Hester it is different. She would have

regarding him insolently. "I'm not going to live all alone-and be talked abo

aid, quietly, "that I thought you might

ught to be good enough for h

t ungraceful. Her skirts were skilfully raised to show just as much as possible of her long, slender foot, with the patent shoes and silver buckles. She knew that her ankles were above reproach, and her dress becoming. A dozen men had paid her compliments during the day, yet she knew that every admiring glance, every whispered word which had come to her to-day, or for many days past, would count for nothing if only she could pierce for a single moment the unchanging coldness of the man who sat watching her now with t