The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-25

TN HONOR OF Lady Day, the Bar
oness Betty had put on her black
j silk dress AS a rule it emerged |
from her wardrobe only four times
a year; for the feasts of Christmas
Easter. Ali Saints. and the Assumption
once. perhaps. in a decade or so. it
went away with her owner for a visit,
and was donned when she dined out
with her hostess. providing the weather
was fine and the company sufficiently
worthy II was about thirty years old,
having been presented to her long after
the family reverses. and was made with
a curiou little arrangement called
panier. and with frin and bows in
Vulnerable. The material being gros-
grain OF the richest quality and the pre-
cautions which Baroness Betty took
for its preservation being extraordinary,
It seemed probable that she herself
would wear out first
Today was Lady Day and all the air
was full of spring sunshine; Betty had
returned from her devotions early and
her heart felt light; It seemed TO her
that she must do further honor to this
breezy. sparkling festal day-she would
wear the black silk.
She drew forth this sacred garment
from its tissue paper and lavender and
put il on. glanced with a satisfied air
into the sIlver-framed looking glass
one of the few relics of former luxury
which still remained to her and which
looked oddly out of place on the com
mon wooden dressing table-smoothed
her snow-white hair. fastened her lace
tucker with a plain gold brooch. once
upon time a necklace OF priceless
pearls used on such occasions to be
rlasped round the throat that was now
so withered. and then. when just about
TO leave the room. paused. with a half
sad smile.
After a hasty glance round, though
she knew well that no one would disturb
her at this hour-had not Minka. the
servant. gone out to visit her parents.
and was not Baron Charles. Betty's
brother, busy" with the newspaper
she unlocked one of the riclxety draw
ers in her bureau and drew out small
box. The lid being lifted. displayed a
roll of black velvet that. when unfolded.
revealed an object on which Betty
eyes rested lovingly.
A key about four inches long. a key
fashioned out OF pure gold. like to Blue
boards famous key of old, but devoted
to no such sinister porpose-it was. ir
point of fact. a chamberlain's key-the
emblem Of certain coveted office about
the emperor-king's person. a very sine
cure Of an office. but only bestowed or
Hungarians of noble birth
This key was not intended to fit into
any lock. though at one time. indeed
its owner had hoped by means of it Il
find his way into womans heart: no
that is not the right way Of putting it
for the heart in question was open t.
him already-he hoped. rather. that the
possession Of this key would enable
him TO lock out all other intruders
Well. well. must be more explicit
More than fifty years before, wher
Baroness Betty was young and hand
some and rich, and lived with he
parents in a fine moated schloss. wher
they entertained right nobly the highes
in the land. a certain young neighbo
had sued In vain for her hand
Good blood ran in his veins, to be sure
but he had neither lands nor title t
offer her, and. as for wealth, the few
thousand crowns which he received an
nually were barely sufficient for one.
The alliance was not to be thought of
nevertheless. there were tears IN Betty
bright eyes when she saw him go. an
he managed in some way 20 convey q
her that he did not give up hope.
Some day-before very long IN al
probabnity-the king would appoint hin
chamberlain II Baroness Betty wer
Ttin unmarried-and might he not hon
hat she would be still unmarr1ed-h