Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-11

Robert thin and appetiteleSs. Every morn
ing the impulse came to him to tell her all;
but every morning his courage oozed like
Bob Acres. and his lips became dumb. I
dare say that if she had questioned him he
would have told her all; but for some rea-
son she had ceased to inquire into his past.
Possibly her young mind was occupied with
pleaSanter things
He became an accomplished butler, and
served SO well in rehearsals that Pierre
could only grumble. One afternoon she su-
pertntended the comedy. She found a
thousand faults with him. so many. in fact,
that Pierre did not understand what it
meant. and became possessed with the
vague idea that she was hitting him over
the groom's shoulder. He did not like it.
and later, when they were alone. Warbur-
ton was distinctly impressed with Pierre's
displeasure.
You cannot please her, and you cannot
please me. Bah! Eat ees vat comes uf
teaching groom table manners instead uf
stable manners And you will smell uf
horse! l do not understand Mees Annesley:
nor
And there were other humiliations. pretty
ones: She enid him on having the stirrup
too long or too short; the curb chain was
rustlng; this piece of ornamental silver did
not SHINE like that one; James fetlocks were
too long; Pirates hoofs weren't thoroughly
oiled. With logged patience he tried to
remedy all these faults, 1t was only when
they had had romping run down the
and she talked pleasantly
Twice he ran into Karloff; but that
shrewd student of human nature did not
consider my hero worth studying; a grave
mistake on his part, he was presently
to learn. He was a handsome man, and
the only thing he noticed about the groom
was his handsome face. He considered it
a crime for servant to be endowed with
eyes of a Russian noble excites less interest
than breedless dog. Mr. Robert made
no complaint; he was very well satisfied
to have the count ignore him entirely. Once
he met the count in the Turkish room,
where, in the capacity of butler, he served
liquor and cigars. There was a certain
grim humor in lighting his rivals cigar for
him. This service was test of his ability
to pass through a room without knocking
over taborets and chairs Another time
they met when Betty and two Of them took
a long ride. Karloff did notice how well
the groom rode his mettlesome mount be-
ing himself a soldier and a daring horse
man. Warburton had some trouble Pirate
did not take to the idea of breathing Jane
and Dicks dust; he wanted to lead these
second-raters. Mr.. James arms ached that
afternoon from the effort he had put forth
to restrain Pirate and keep him in his
proper place, five yards to the rear.
Nothing happened Sunday; the day went
by uneventfully. He escaped the ordeal of
driving her to the Chevy Chase Club, Will
liam being up that afternoon.
Then Monday came and with it Betty's
curious determination to ride Pirate
You wish to ride Pirate miss?' exclaim-
ed James, his horror of the idea openly
manifest.
Saddle him for INDEPENDENTLY ct
desire to ride him. find Jane isn't exciting
enough"
Pardon me, Miss Annesley," he said
"but had rather you would not make the
attempt"
You had rather would not make the at
tempt?'-slowly repeating the words, max
ing a knife of each one of them, tipped
with the poison of her contempt II do
not believe quite understand YOU"
He bravely met the angry fash Of her
eyes. There were times when the color Of
these eyes did not resemble sapphires;
rather disks of gun-metal, caused by a
sudden dilation of the pupils.
Yes, miss. had rather you would not"
James, you forget yourself. Saddle Pr
rate, and take Jane back to the stables.
Besides, Jane has bit of cold She
slapped her boot with her riding-crop and
irdolently studied the scurrying clouds
overhead; for the day was windy.
Soberly Warburton obeyed. He was hurt
and angry. and he knew not what besides.