Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-09-19

moment to watch the dancers. The hrst
thing saw was the lady of Pan Mall,
gloriously arrayed, waltzing with Ger
man.
''Who is she.' I asked Q man knew.
(which one? Oh, that divine sym
phony of color there, Ell: That is Mrs.
Trenchard."
And who is Mrs, TrenchardY'
"He shook his head. shes a widow;
that's all know. She is in the swim;
wonder you haven't met her before. I
have. half dozen times; but live up
to my principles. of which the first is,
Thou shalt not do-anything in this
widow line"
/ left him grinning. could have
Kicked him without any remorse. From
another man CLEANED that Trenchard
had been in the Indian political service
and had died suddenly. In certain lines
men are dolts and women creatures of
genius. a woman there, q dear old
dowager, told me in five minutes all I
wanted to know. Her people were all
dead, ahe was lady of birth and breed
ing, she had none too much money, she
was very popular and Very correct, and
would like an introduction2 Five min
utes later l made my first bow to the
divine symphony. She was gloriously
generous, gave herself to me for 10 whole
minutes, and when withdrew she mur-
INJURED, with a graciousneSs that seemed
regal, Perhaps we shall meet again."
We did meet, again and again. Our
acquaintance ripened into friendshipand
finally into very close intimacy l saw
her at least once every week. This went
on for three or four years. Between me
and Robethon she was forbidden sub
Ject. knew it would only pain him.
For the same reason never once men
toned Robethon's name to her.
1t was December. Robethon and 1, as
usual, were lunching at tho Same table.
All at once he said, Il am married"
married.! God forbidr'
81 have been married o month";"
''In that case it would be brutal not to
wish you Joy"
Thank you. think 1 have found a
pearl of great price. am living now in
Grovesnor Gardens. We are having a
few friends in tonight-a very few. You
will come, won't you? want you to
know my wife"
with all the pleasure in the world.
But it is like dream"
44O hhO d lihu Illo
side of the hedge as he said: Eyes, it's
like dream-a beautiful dream. Come
as early as you can"
think felt trife hurt that such n
revolution in his domestic economy
should have occurred without his in
forming me of it, but was none the less
curious to see the woman who made so
notable capture. In these days it is
the men and not the women who are
captured. / was very punctual The
rest of the folks were of course late.
Robethon met me in the coatroom.
''Bagot," he said, "this is very good of
you. I've been thinking ought to have
told you sooner, but-rll tell you how
it happened and all about it Mt the
club"
Meanwhile, Robethon, ono word.
Are you happy"
Gas a king"
''No secret regrets, ehT'
''Not the ghost of one. She is perfect
Come, you must see her"
/ Arm in arm we entered the drawing
room. She was alone. 1 saw a vision
of amber colored silk and fluttering lace
and heard him say, "Lucilc, this is my
dear friend, General Bagot."
Then for the first time saw her face.
It was my own fair lady OF Pail Malll
What she felt do not know. Good
God" broke involuntarily from my lips,
and 1 had just sense enough to turn to
Robethon and tell him in an aside that
sudden and awful twinge of gout had
seized me. Women, being born in
triguers, are nimble witted by nature
and requirement. When our eyes met
a second time, the lady was perfectly
self possessed and instinct with sympa-
thy over my dreadful gout.
The attack was soon over.
The dinner, believe, was good and
the company smart and lively people.
My anecdotes went off like champagne
corks, and fancy created for myself q
reputation for brilliancy which, hap
PLY, do not feel it my duty to 1.-Two up
to. For myself, do not know what l
said, did, ate, drank or thought. was
in a maze. Later in the evening saw
her alone for five minutes.
"By all that's wonderful, Lucille, what
does it 1neany' l asked.
Just what you see. am Mrs. Robe
thon," she answered, huttering her fan
"But-he is my friend. Not for worlds
would r.
mo, it would be awkward"
awkward! Listen, Lucille. The cur
tain being down, there are some plays
may never be revived"
She looked at me for some moments.
Thcn she said: "That is true. If 1 had
thought only of myself, Dick, it would
have been and not you who would have
been the first to say, There are some
-, l.
''Forgive mel know it. Butt
"Not another word. We are alike in
our thoughts of him. We will be loyal
to him to the end. Still, we are friends,
Dick, all the same"
And now my turn has come. Poor
Robethon has gone, and, after all, am
going to marry Lucille. What an odd