The Washington times., 1901-07-28


terest In politics. and is dying. But
must not let out secrets"
The stranger proved to be tall, beau-
sifvi girl. whose height overtopped that
OF most OF the men, while her figure was
so gracefully proportioned that it was i'm
possible to demur to an inch Of her stat
ure- Her face was fair as a flower, and
her heavy masses of hair were a verita-
Bile crown of glory.
Lady St. Johnstone was the worst intro
ducer in the world. Therefore Clifford
Garrison did not catch the name. 1t is
noticeable. however. that he resolved that
this omission should be remedied.
They talked a little. she gazing at him
curiously with lovely eyes Then after
while she said, with an exquisite smile:
And 80 you don't remember me at all
haven't an idea who am? And 1 re-
member you so WELL"
Your face is perfectly familiar to me-"
said Clifford Garrison. with considerably
less than his usual readiness in reply
But 1 cannot-somehow'.
No. you don't remember me at ALL"
she rippled with laughter 'T saw that at
once. But 1 am sure don't know why
you should. 1 was a mere child then, and
it is years ago." .e -
Clifford Garrison gazed at her with the
contracted eyes of one Who. endeayors to
coerce his memory to extraordinary ef-
forts. Was it possible to have seen this
beautiful face even once and forget it
He could scarcely believe it.
Yes. 1t was years agoss continued the
beautiful unknown Don't you remember
that bazaar at Dippingwell, and how you
came over on motor with that lady with
the yellow hair whom didn't like, and /
was selling, and you were so kind to me,
and bought my things and give me the
prettiest of all svrf sF
Why, do you mean.p cried Clifford
Garrison. light breaking in, that you,
were that delightful child
You told me that your name was Cliff
ford Garrison, and l told you-now 1 am
sure you dent remember my name
l must confess that I don't-and Lady
st. Johnstone's method of introduction
leaves much to be desired"
Il told you that my name was Emily
Maud Sansurre; but now I must tell you
that 1 am Lady Maud-for my brother
came into the title since. and he is the
Earl of Bloxover."
'Bloxover? Why. then, we are connec-
tons-cousins. Good heavens, now one
does lose sight of ones relationsr'
1t is natural enough, though. he remem-
bered. A distant cousin of his had mar
ried \ scion of very junior branch of
the house of the Sansurres Of Bloxover.
The match had not been approved of by
either family. for they thought 1t ridlcu-
lous. for poverty to join to poverty.
Therefore the pair had been. coldly treat
ed or forgotten by their respective fami-
1~t- =. ~
had cleared the way, and transformed
the grandson of the unlucky couple into
the Earl of Bloxover. Only as
the late man had been devoted
to his wife, and had taken it
very i'll that he had no son of
his own to inherit, he had left nearly all
the property to his widow, and bequeath--
ed to the title merely the Irish estate and
the house of Sansurre Abbey. which was
the least valuable part of his possessions.
The present Lord Bloxover was there
fore a poor man.
I'VE are cousins" repeated Clifford
Garrison. oddly pleased by the discovery
-"And, as we have neglected one another
for so long, we ought to be all the greater
friends for the future to make up for II"
He really felt this very deeply. lis your
brother here? / should like to know
him.. 9at...-
mo, I'm sorry to say he isn't. He and
mother and the girls are all at Sansurre.
I am staying with Lady, St Johnstone,
and she brought me here. ~,
Fortunately. / have known her for
years. st. tombstone was my fag at
Eton And has your brother any taste
for politics? Has he thought of being
representative peer. for instance?"
II am afraid there is no chance OF
that" replied Maud sadly. You proba-
bly, know how the old lord left every
thing to the dowager. We live at Sans
urre because we can't let 1t, and can't
lieve anywhere else without letting it,
What can Bloxover do there but vege-
tate? And IL he were representative
peer he couldn't afford to come to Lon
dom Really, 1 do think it is little
hard"
1--WE mnst talk it over" said Clifford
Garrison kindly. .Perhaps something can
be done. Anyhow, relations ought to help
one another"
He noticed that the girls eyes shone
like stars.
Later he talked to Lady st. Johnstone.
"Oh, It is a great shame" she said. San
sure is Just like a white elephant. They
can't keep it up--can only just live In II in
Irish fashion. Really. the dowager ought
to do something for them-disgorge or
lease Sansurre-that would be godsend
They are neighbors of ours in Ireland
took a fancy to the girl and really it Is
only a charity to give her a chance OF
being seen With her good looks. 1 shall
be surprised If she doesn't marry we'll
and soon."
Clifford Garrison became convinced that
1t was really a positive duty to do what he
could TO amuse his pretty cousin. Also he
perceived pleasure in the process. He
called and placed his coach at the disposal
of Lady st. tombstone for the meet of the
Coaching Club. She was naturally pleas
ed Maud was more than pleased; she
was in ecstasies. She had never been on
a coach before Sir Clifford was a first
rate whip He drove more cautiously,
rArhaps, than of yore: but his precision
might have been Il lesson to many of the
younger and more dashing whips. Maud
enjoyed the parade Immensely. also the
drive to Ranelagh. the lunch. the polo.
the gymllhana. It WAS all new to her.
She thanked Sir Clifford again and again
till he thrilled all over.
One of the sights of the afternoon was
the departure of Prince Henry of Mara
boln- Maravedis coach, with its team OF
six horses. which he drove with wonder
full skill by the help of a swinging pole
The prince was an exceedingly handsome
man, and many of the ladies' divided their |
admiration between him and his team.
Clifford Garrison saw great deal OF |
Lady Maud Sansurre after this He met |
her at all sorts of entertainments, and ar |
ranged others expressly for her. He |
placed his box at the opera at Lady st. |
Johnstone's disposal again and again. He |