Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-11-30

air, and the brilliant coloring of the sea
and sky made the Honorable Herbert
feel very young and delightful" He
resolved to lunch at a restaurant, take
turn on the promenade and smoke
cigar on the pier before going to the
| Clairville. He fancied that he would
then be refreshed, and so better able to
enter thoroughly into the role of dutiful
Dephsw which he proposed to play
He lunched well, lit his cigar, and
started in search of half an hours recre-
alton. He did not 60 far before he found
what he was in search of; he met with
lady so surprising to look at that the
mere sight of her recreated him. He
proceeded TO stare steadily at her and TO
take note of all her points" carefully.
She was little creature, well formed.
with pretty feet and hands; the feet clad
in wondrous, high heeled boots that were
very high, but did not meet at all in
front; the lacing displayed crimson
open worked stockings. The little figure,
waspwaisted, was dressed in the most ex-
travagant of French checks-the sort of
costume devised by the Partisan intellect
for English women who are @fond of
dress. A mass of blonded and frizzed
hair encircled small face which was adj
mirably well painted; only the usual
mistake was made-the thing was over
done, and thus the possibility of decep-
ton destroyed. The lady's hat and par
asol each deserve page of description,
they were so surprising. The whole
thing astonished and delighted the Hon
orable Herbert. This young gentleman
had good deal of the knight of the
| pavement in him; if pretty girl gave
him look of encouragement he was ca
pable of walking after her quite mile in
| the hope of adventure. The lady he now
saw before him had encouragement" :"
writ in large characters all over her.
thanks to her costume, and her plaintive
blue eyes repeated the word. She stood.
quite alone, by the rail at the edge of the
seawalk, looking at the passersby. She
soon became as much interested in Her
bert as he was in her. She slowly walked
| toward the pier and went on TO il. The
! Honorable Herbert followed her, passed
and repassed her.
At the end of the pier there were sew
eral sheltered, secluded seats. The lady
walked on to these slowly-for no one
could walk fast in such boots as hers
chose one with much deliberation, sat
down and straightway dropped her para
! sol OF course Herbert was at hand 10
pick it up. Then he sat down by her, and
for half an hour they looked at the blue
sea and talked. She amused him very
much. She never smiled, but said the
most spicy and piquant things in asmall,
| high pitched voice, looking straight at
! him the while. Herbert knew very we'll
how to look admiration, and he found
that she understood the look perfectly,
but also that she appreciated little more
| open fiattery. This made it very plain
sailing, and Herbert found himself much
less bored than usual during a Irritation.
The little lady being SO excessively pro-
nounced it was difficult to feel bored un-
| til one had seen all her extravagances.
At last he rose and said:
II must go; it is hard, but must. Do
you come on the pier in the evening""
"Yes," she answered Immediately
"about 10 o'clock.
Then shall stay in Seagate till to-
morrow" said Herbert CALAMITY, and
| left her.
! Then, assuming businesslike manner,
| he walked off to the Clairville, meditat-
| ing all the way on the mode in which he
should address his aunt. After turning
the matter over and over in his mind he
resolved to trust to the inspiration of the
moment and to follow her lead very care
fully until he knew how TO humor her.
On his way hired carriage passed him !;
in it sat the little lady whom he fully in
tended to meet upon the pier that night.
She gave him a glance from under her
wonderful parasol such look-seduc-
tive, full of invitation.
II believe she is as old as the hills, re-
flected Herbert; but she is maryelonsly
made up, and very funny. What ca
tastrophe if she should live at the Clair
villel"
He arrived at the hotel--a fine house,
standing in pretty grounds. and tenanted
principally by people who lived on pen
sion; people who seemed to have no
homes of their own anywhere; who
were exceedingly sociable and very
merry. On the broad terrace number
of people were talking and laughing;
the hour of afternoon tea had brought
| them to the house. In the midst of
small crowd of gentlemen stood the little
lady; evidently she was favorite. Her
bert quickly passed the group, looking
| the other way the while. He entered
the hall, and, finding waiter, asked for
the Princess Droguca. He was shown
| into a small drawing room.
Two minutes later the little lady came
in and looked at him with some surprise,
saying:
You have asked for me? You knew
my manner"
The awful truth flashed upon him.
For one wild moment he thought Of sink
ing his identity-of escaping without
telling her who he was. But he had not
time 70 think it out-he was confusel,
stammered something-and then. ia de-
spair, handed her his mothers note. Size
tore it open deliberately, read it at a
glance, and threw il carelessly on table.
He faacied his doom was sealed. took up
bis hat, and prepared to go. But he felt
lie owed Il to himself 10 apologize; he
did 50, prpfnseIy.
She iaferrnpted him with her Slight,
sllriil voice. looking straight at him with
t!,0se plaintise blue eyes, which were so
fuil Of candid hunger for admiration.
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