The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-02-05

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air, and the brilliant colorng of the sea
and sky made the Honorable Herbert
feel very young and delightful" He
resolved to lunch at a restaurant, take q
turn on the promenade and smoke O
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
nephew which he proposed to play
He lunched well, lit his cigar, and
started in search of half au hours recre-
alton. He did not go far before he found
what he was in search Of he met with q
lady so surprising to look at that the
mere sight of her recreated him. lie
proceeded to stare steadily at her and to
take note Of all her "points" carefully.
She was little creature, we'll 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 en-
travagant of French checks-the sort OF
costume devised by the Partisan intellect
for English women who are "fond of
dress. 3" A mass Of blended and frizzed
hair encircled small face which was ad.
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; il 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 tho
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 it. The
Honorable Herbert followed her, passed
and repassed her.
AT the end Of the pier there were sew
cral sheltered, secluded seats. The lady
walked on to these slowly-for no ono
could walk fast in such boots as hers
chose one with much deliberatiop, sat
down and straightway dropped her para
sol. OF course Herbert was at hand to
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 tho
most spicy and piquant things in small,
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 q little more
open fiattery. This made it very plain
sailing and Herbert found himself much
less bored than usual during 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 60; it is hard, but must. Do
you come on the pier in the eveningy"
YES" she answered Immediately;
about 10 o'clock.
"Then shall stay in Seagate till to-
morrow" said Herbert gallantly, and
left her.
Then, assuming businesslike manner,
he walked off to the Clairvile, 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 glance from under her
wonderful parasol; such q look-seduc-
tive, full of invitation.
II believe she is as old as the hills, re-.
Elected Herbert; "but she is marvelously
made up, and very funny. What a Gu
tastrophe if she should live at the Clair
ville!"
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
were exceedingly sociable and very
merry. On the broad terrace number
of people were talking and laughing;
the hour of afternoon tea lad brought
them to the house. In the midst of n
small crowd of gentlemen stood the little
lady; evidently she was favorte. 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 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 name?"
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 to think it out-he was confused,
stammered something-and then, in de-
spair, handed her his mothers note. She