The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-28


belt she wears, no matter what the
gown. She is a silent woman. ! have
started any number Of topics from Nan
sen and the north pole to the Derby and
the Roentgen rays. She smiles sweetly,
but eeems to avoid conversation.
"Silence in woman is the great dis
coyery awaiting the twentieth century. I"
The officer smiled and relit his pipe. II
doubt if they'll get it,"
Come; that's unfair" I said, join
ing, however, in the laugh.
"Now, here's this woman you're
talking off," the English officer resumed.
"I've seen her often in animated con-
fabs with the Turks"
"By Jove! fwonder if she avoids me
because l always inevitably keep my
eyes on that strange girdle she wears.
There's beginning to be little breath
about it OH board. Everybody is talking
about it. The captain thinks it's mystic
rious too. There is no fashion at present
among the fair sex Of knotting belt or
girdle around the waist. 1t must be az
yards long. Pm good at staccato meas
urements. The woman has fashion Of
keeping her hand on it whether she's
talking OF walking. I've watched her
at table. She twists the belt in her lap
and is perpetually staring away from
her plate at it. There's one portion of
1t, Two noticed, that won't twist. It
lies stiff and strong, an immovable out
line. It's queer outline. can't tell
you why, but it's queer. don't like it.
The other day the girdle came unfas-
tened and fell to the deck as the woman
steadied herself in the ships lurch In
that big blow of the Channel islands.
Lady Jemappes was for the moment
whittier than the foam tipped wave of
there. jumped forward and restored it
to her. There's something inside it. I
could feel that the moment it was in
my hands. As gave it to her ladyship
she gave me look which l can't for
get. Perhaps it contains her will or IT,
ties to an estate or Bank Of England
notes or love letters. There is something
inside it. ! could feel that.
Hold up, billions. You are getting
as curious as a woman. But I'll find
out the secret, I bet you. How much
shall ! put up on it2" The officer raised
his feldglass and swept the sea where
the winter sun hung low for glimpse
Of the dark hon acknowledgements
BILE Gibraltar.
Look out, man; she'll hear you.
There she comes!" Accompanied by
her maid, who carried the wraps and
rugs. steamer chair. etc., a beautiful
woman came slowly forward with the
graceful, high bred carriage Of one long
accustomed to contact with the worlds
best. We raised our hats, Caithness and
I, and went forward to proffer our as
sistance.
"Thank you," gentle, beautifully
modulated voice answered, and my Lady
Jemappes lifted upon us the gaze Of the
two great, deep blue eyes, blue as that
sea Of azure glory out there. twill sit
here for little while. hear that we
shall sight Gibraltar in an hour"
Does your ladyship purpose joining
the exoursionists up the rock?" began
tO feel throb around my heart as those
blue eyes dwelt upon me. Caithness
had warned me yesterday that was In
for It.
mo, thipk not" shs answered
quietly. II have done that several
times" =,
ooh. hoI" l said to myself. what
does that mean?" And then aloud: II
wonder II the old lady with the wig
viii attempt H. hear she is one Of tho
most ardent in the plan"
VI Az laughed. Unconsciously again
ny sysa Apvslsa toward that mysteri-
Gus telt.. hwas osaA 80
A shadder, went tlRanGA ~ woman,
whosn eyes followed ny own. 4 spot
u color burned on her, beautiful 'faes,
tsi ls4s Anhina. y W nd ~ har STARTLED