Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-01
CHAPTER vi.
At Gay Saratoga.

At Gay saratoga.
Bride and groom! There's no mistaking
her"
Nor him.
At Saratoga. in those gala days, when
society threw over the popular resort the
radiance of its reflected glory, the pleasure
of watching the people arrive at the hotels
was not among the least of the many at
fractions. From far and wide came the
guests, cosmopolitan, complex gathering
all seemingly bent on the enjoyment of
perpetual festival. and, incidentally, drink
ing the waters The great spa was then
me playground OF the country, where
grown-up people, well as children ca
pered and frolicked, and only the man of
many ailments was relegated to a special
background of his own
with rattle and rumble, on the night
OF Miss Rossiters wedding, the stage had
stopped before the front entrance of one
of the principal hotels and was emptying
itself of its load Of living freight inside
and Its dead freight outside-portable
Noah's-ark sort of trunks called sara
togas'-when closely following the greater
vehicle out of the darkness came a car
rage. which drew up sharply behind the
coach and from which emerged a stalwart,
rather thick-set gentleman and a young
girl. From the coach to the carriage the
staring gaze Of the assembled watchers
was transferred. and slowly. beneath this
general survey. the pair mounted the steps,
moving into the bright light from innumer
able gas jets on the broad veranda. The
girl was tall, tastefully dressed and-such
seemed the consensus of opinon-carried
herself well. rather proudly, perhaps. She
looked tired, as II the journey had been
long, and appeared to take no special in
terest in the brilliant scene with which she
was suddenly confronted. Nor was her
manner marked with embarrassment at the
almost silent contemplation of the crowd
She acted either unconscious of the OhSpry-
ant. inquisitive eyes or Indifferent to them.
Yes; their wedding trip
Where are they from"
New York-you couldn't mistake her!'
Amid such comment the man, followed
by his fair companion and several por-
ters bearing hand luggage, made his way
across the extensive lobby to the desk and
inquired for the proprietor That gentle
man came forward at once with an urbane
smile and conciliatOry manner.
Il telegraphed you to- reserve rooms"
said the newcomer.
what name?'
Richard Strong"
The hotel mans smile grew broader: his
hand shot out affably; he beamed on the
young woman. How many brides and
grcoms had he sheltered in that vast hos
telry!
Just So" he said. II have reserved for
you part of the Vanderbilt suite. You will
find the rooms all ready and waiting for
you. Mr.. Strong"
spacious apartments fairly blazed with the
brilliant illumination from crystal chande-
Tiers. Thick. brightly Powered carpets lent
cheerfulness to the rooms. while massive
open-caryed, rosewood chairs and sofas
were in keeping with the palatial expanse
of the apartments.
well. here we are!" said Richard Strong
I'm spite of the hotel runners and porters
at the depot! Confess, Elinor, they rather
startled you
They were a little persistent"
PERSISTENT he exclaimed "Donny-
brook fair is order and quiet compared to
that depot when train comes In. But
glancing around him cheerfuly when the
porters had withdrawn and they were left
alone-'they are not sparing Of their
lights
Her gaze followed his to the great chan
deliers ablaze with scores of fiaring gas
Jets.
IT'S quite like fete isn't IT." he con-
tinued.
Would you mind turning out some of
them?' she asked. with a faint smile. as
she sank down on one of the settees.
Mind? Not bit!'-and suited the ac-
ton to the word How is it now? And
the rooms-are they to your hking?"
"They are large enough, aren't they?'
She answered mechanically.
Everything is large here he laughed.
at is the proud boast of the proprietor
that he has verandas mile long and TWEEN
two acres of carpet
looked at her quickly. noticing she had not
yet removed her hat or wrap.
You are tired, Elinor?'
YES" she confessed. passing her hand
across her brow.
A sympathetic expression shone from his
eyes. He gazed down at her proudly, anx-
iously. Perhaps that consciousness of his
own bodily strength made him but the more
soicitous for her. He smiled gently.
TT has been a hard day for you. Now
adays to get married is ordeal for any
woman. But you went through it bravely,
of humor shining from beneath his heavy
brows-'it went off without a break!'
She studied the carpet attentively. With
her head down-bent. her hair threw a
shadow on her face-a shadow that dark
ened her eyes.
Il don't know how you'll like 1t here"
he continued, but it Is a little early for
the seashore. Besides'-with a laugh--"all
brides nowadays want to go to Saratoga!
At his laugh she glanced up. drawing her
gloves nervously through her hands.
1.-The ride on the train seems 10 have
given me headache she answered ir-
relevantly.
With real concern he studied her.
What you need he said, lis rest. You
will be yourself tomorrow. You have had
too much to think of today
perhaps that is it, she assented.
Eyes, that's what you need lie repeated
decisively. Rest" A moment he hesi-
tated. Il think I'll go down and look
after the trunks he added.
IF you would! she said. and arose
quickly.
His glance responded with sudden pas
sion. She was very near, very dear, very
fair to him. and abruptly he took her in
his arms. For a moment she lay impressive,