The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-18
M A R Y


nerves.
The rooms were too warm to begir
with, and everyone would congregate il
the corner by the ices, so that the music
room was almost deserted and the artists
were distinctly annoyed at fndlng them
selves warbling to a few stragglers.
4 am so sorry for Lady Dunstan,
said Mary Beresford to the man who had
just been introduced to her. 4 am
afraid we are treating her we'll Don't
you think we had better go and listen to
q song?'
4 would rather not. he answered.
''but 1 am at your command. Only, will
you do me a favor afterward?'
She looked surprised. Certainly, if it
is in my power" she assented civilly.
what is it?"
She was looking very comely and cool
IN a green and white dress Of some di-
aphanous fabric. and there was an atmos-
phere Of pleasant repose about Miss
Beresford that people appreciated with
out Analysing it.
1t had never occurred TO her to marry
any one, though the suggestion had been
made 10 her from time to time; she was
well off, she had no near relations, and
she had reached the age of % while still
possessing the charm for others and the
interest i'm life which were hers at IS.
She was neither a feminine bachelor nor
an old maid. but simply an unmarried
woman who was eTninently manageable.
Il am ne victim, or rather L suppose 1
should say the hero, of a romance" con-
tinued the man, and 1 have an intense
yearning 70 tell some one about it. VIII
you let me cOndde in you?"
Mary laughed, and for the first time
looked TO see what manner of man this
was.
A dark. clean-shaven face. keen and
strong. such as you find in barristers or
naval men; a tall, well-set-up figure, a
cavity Of voice and manner that were re-
deemed at times as at this moment, by
a twinkle in the handsome eyes. and~a
cleft. indicative of humor, at the corners
of the lips.
you must let me know your name
she said, IF you are going to tell me
a story Of your life. ! didn't catch
what Lady Dunstan said"
Lawrence. Home" he replied, and I
have just NET my fate"
Really" Mary's amused glance swept
over the crowd around mem and rested
on a girl with straight, clear-cut profile
and dark hair. to whom she transiently
remembered Mr. Home had been talking
when their hostess divided them.
4 see you are trying to guess who is
the deus ex manchina." he said btu l
want YOU 10 begin from the beginning.
Won't you let me off the song. MISS
Beresford. and come to the balcony over
there"
ITS very unprincipled." said Mary,
wavering. Lady Dunstan asked us to
go to the drawing room"
'Principles can be carried too far he
argued. Let us be selfish for once and
choose the balcony
''And SO you are romantic?" asked
Mary. when they were esconced in
shady corner
Not at all by temperament" he as
sured her, but I have become so lately.
I saw a lady at n concert and felt so
by her that | paid on further
attention to the music. Since then chance
has willed that We should often be within
speaking distance Of each other-in the
street, in a room, at an entertainment
and the attraction has grown with every
meeting, so that whom ] have received |
ar invitation lately ! have said to my
self: 1 wonder if She will be there She
with a capital letter. But we have never
been introduced until today. / found her
here. ] asked Lady Duustau 10 introduce
IRE when a favorable opportunity oc-
clrred. and-the thing is done"
'9And you feel that your fate is seal
e1?"
Mary began TO be interested, for though
his tonew as easy and unConcerned. there
vas something-she could not tell what
which seemed to show he was in earnest /
For better or for worse. yes. he said
81 aIn sure she is nv alter ego. the one /
woman in the world for me. but she may
not have the same feeling. In fact,
know for certain that she has no feeling
Of any sort about me. and no conscious /
ness of ever having met me before. So
my only hope. is 10 see her constantly, /
and that is not so easy as it sounds. for. (
with the exception IF our hostess. we
have no mutual friends that I am aware /
Of at whose houses We might meet"
''Oh. yes" said Mary. hastily. Il know
Miss Matthews quite well. She is coming
to lunch with me next week"
Us She" he said. eagerly. And you
VIII ask me, too? But that is too good Of I
you"
Not at all. I SHAH be very pleased; 7
deserves encouragement in these F.
prosaic DAYS She is a charming girl. /
Ethel Matthews. / have known her quite I
q long time. We might so TO picture /
gallery afterward Sir James Hart is I.
coming so that we shall be a partee /.
,aree.
She rose to so and extended her hand
With smile of engagement 10 him.
''Good-by.' she said. Il have an early .
iinner engagement. ard I must 80 now. /
Don't forget-lunch IT = o'clock
You haven't, given me your address"
She took out card from her little jew
He'd case and gave it 70 him.
Two. Mayfair Mansions" he said. I
Thanks. / shan't forget. and I am most /
And as she went away and his glance /
her he sad to himself; That
vas a good move II mine But what a
Niece Of luck
The little square" luncheon party at
MAYFAIR Mansions vas decidedly a sue
,ess. Sir James tI1rr was a rising dip
omat: indeed. one might say that he was
risen one. and he talked even better
han usual because he was anxious 70
,lease Miss Beresfard. Ethel Matthews
Who was accustomed 10 demand and re-
Give admiration With GOODNESS that Is
Of the latter-day young
woman. accepted -sraciously Mr. Homes
attempts 10 he agreeable. and they were
quite friendly by the time that they ar
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