The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-09-15

turned abruptly, as If she could endure
no longer sight of him, and she glided
from the room with the keys in her
white hand.
At Admiralty house all was light and
noise and hilarity. People said it was
one of the jolliest dances there had
been that year. The huge rooms were
filled with crowds of uniforms and gay
frocks and flowers, the Admiral's band
played waltzes with unfagging ener-
gy. The first dance was over, and the
second, and a couple of more. It was
the second space On Ursula's card that
she had filled with Winstanley's name
and still there was not a sign of him
in the rooms. She was watching the
door in kind of bewilderment. What
could it mean? What could have made
him repeat his behavior of the other
night? Surely, surely, he would never
leave her to sit out those dances he
had asked from her, and lose the
chance Of an explanation he had
begged her to listen to!
She found herself standing close to
Mrs. Kenyon as the fourth dance came
to an end. The generals wife turned
to smile at her, then sharply looked
again.
my dear, how pale you are! hope
you haven't ventured out again too
soon after your. cold. dare say it
may have been a touch Of Influenza,
and that leaves one so limp afterward.
You must take great care not to get a
chill tonight"
ut isn't anything. I am really all
right" Ursula spoke with an effort;
and forced an answering smile. What
could have kept Noel? Every minute
it grew stranger and more inexplica-
bic. Il think the rooms are, perhaps,
a little hot"
Good evening, Mrs. Kenyon!" It
was forid naval captain who aceost:.
ed the generals wife. ''How are you?
Change in the weather, isn't it? Hope
it will last. Can you tell me if Win
stanley isn't here tonight? My wife's
in rare way-sheA says he's her best
partner, and she does not half enjoy a
ball If she hasn't a dance with him. I
told her I'd just ask you, so that she
can keep one for him, If he's going to
be late"
) Ursula caught her breath to listen.
It was the question she could have
asked.
isn't he here?" Mrs. Kenyon ~peered
across the room amongst the moving
throngs in some surprise. Il don't
know what can have kept him, then.
He started to walk before we left Gov
ernment House"
II saw him on my way here" It was
a subaltern in the East Anglia who
broke in. He was waiting for his part
ner, who had torn her frock and gone
to tho dressing-room. II passed him
on the front about an hour ago. He
was just going into that house where
Countess Ilka Zulafski lives. He
hasn't been here .yet-at least, l
haven't seen him. Did you want him,
Captain Anstruther?"
"My wife wants him. answered the
other, with laugh. "That's more to
the point. However. if he's calling on
such a fascinating lady, suppose he
can't be expected to think of the time.
She's not here, by the way, is she?
They may be coming together present
ly."
"Oh, no." said Mrs. Kenyon, with
some little emphasis; Countess Ika
Zulafski does not visit at Admiralty
House." Captain Anstruther shrugged
and smiled and bowed and moved
away, wondering to himself what-made
women always hate another woman
who was more beautiful and attractive
than the rest of them. Mrs, Kenyon
turned to say something to Ursula,
and was shocked at her face. :
my dear child, you really are un-
we'll. Do come and sit down. and let
somebody get you s6mething." =:
: Ursula reused herself by a violent
effort. Il do feel little odd. Don't
say anything, please; shall be@better
in moment. q think ! will go and
find my chaperon and tell her would
rather not stay much longer, If she
doesn't mind. - +
my good j: girl, you've a dancing
chaperon, haven't you? Mrs. Fielding
-ah, thought. SO! You'll never get
her away till the band plays God Save.
the Queen,,' If / know her. See; I'll tell
you what you had better do. Our car
riage is here-my husband told it to
wait for a message. he wanted taken
out to Hilsea; It shall drive you back
to Government House first. i you like.
You can 60 straight to my room and
lie down, Or tell them to get YOU some:
thing. Rest and keep warm till come:
back. \ I'll make your chap 9ron* drive.
round that way. with me, ana she can
collect you, or, II you feel you q rather:
You shall. stay with me al xnight,,Sand:
Tllzsend my mai .for our thtin The:
=first Trims. IN the zn1orninE ~;