The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-17

Two years. Tho sapphire ring on he
anrer was alone enough to keep NAL
+ don, mind busy with co1ijoctures. B,i'
! a, Iast she became aware that fer com
nonion was becoming even moro fulsonc
,han usual In his compliments. more Ian
* gushing In his gaze.
rhen. ut doorway OH the other side
OF the rooni.4 n young man suddenly APP
reared, dangling n lace handkerchief IN
Ibis hnnd. He was tall and wore evening
dress. A maid would have to DO con-
slderably III love with him to persundc
! herself that he was handsome. for a tliir,-
bled shock OF copper colored hair sur
mounted freckled face with n square
jaw. 1syl catching this first glimpse Of
| him, felt her heart sink with disappoint@
ment. Was this the romantic. picturesque
cavalier sho had been waiting with SO
| much eagerness? And when he smiled
A man could do anything with slnile
! like that and Il woman nothing against
It. 1t was the nntidote always ready for
his impertIl,ence. II was u smile that
blew down resentment as q wind blows
down fence, and 1t took lsyl Oft her
feet at once. The stranger was ugly,
there was no doubt OF that but the char
actcr In his face made the Grand Com
mander look like pretty DOLL Between
the two of them there was instant con-
fict.
"Thero is a gentleman over there try
Ing to catch your eye,'5 roma rked the
Grand Commander, ITO my mind no re-
sembles nothing more than Il gargoyle. If
you catch my meaning. N6 IL s s9jgs
''1hnt man Is a very good friend Of
mine" 1syl interrupted, stifily and curt
ooh beg pardon, I'm sure said the
Grand Commander Psi &
rho mysterious stranger. approached the
pair with nonchalance.
I. "Your majesty" he began. II believe
YOU promised me few moments this
evening. Could i have the pleasure Of
some punches OF we'll chosen words with
thec?''
IS .The Queen is otherwise engag cd. as
you can easily see.' said the Grand Com
mander nfuriated at7tl1is Interruption.
THE mysterious stranger bowed with
mock polteness. I'll have to- disa ppoint
you by refusing to give the 4countercheck-
o,,arrelsome II the presence Of the he Queen Queer.
of Love and Beauty lie said suavely.
ISL, who after the Grand Commanders
exhibition Of tact would have accepted
the company OF n cllimpanzee IN pref
erence, turned toRhim with the smile that
women give at such times. you'll real
~ have to excuse me-" she said. u did
promise him q. few minutes"
The disconnected wooer left snllenly
/, Now what have you found out?' the
Queen asked.
Nothing" was the disappointing re-
ply "Old man Almcric wouldn't talk
till I had inserted one Of my patent
leather rs In the crack OF the door. and
refused toilet him shut It. FIe then gave
me one OF the most cordial invitations
to stay out that have ever experienced
in q short but somewhat zg-zag career
When insisted In my artless Japanese
way, that had to have the news. he
swore with one hand on his heart thai
his daughter was upstairs with q, raging
headache, and with the other he reached
for a. large. determined looking stick
departed without leaving my card.
"1'hen Norine Is at home after all?
said the Queen.
She is, or sho isnt-that's a skinch
But In my book It's a. thousand to one
shot that she isn't. The old man fol
| lowed mo back aud L saw him arguing
| with the high much-a-muck here. The