The Washington herald., 1906-10-10
AMBROSE PRATT

DO they? I don't believe it. There was
big crowd there and all good people.
like her. Jack"
.WcH. wonders VIII never cease; I
didn't think shed be your sort"
why notg" imneriously "She IS the
sweetest woman I have met for years,
and pardon me. Jack. but although all
London IS discussing her, you are the
first person who has said a word to me
or her disparagingly.'
II beg your pardon" retoTted the cap
tain; I only said I didn't think she was
your sort"
Francine laughed merrily. you did
not mean that 10 be uncompIimentary,
did you. JACKIE"
The captain did not catch the point
Did you meet Crcssingham there2" he
asked.
II saw him at distance. He was
looking far from we'll"
Lethby regarded the girl with jealous
eyes. You seem 90 take a lot of interest
in him., he remarked.
He was once "a friend Of mine. Do
you know, Jack. he is the only man who
ever she hesitated. blushing family
and casting down her eyes.
'Yho ever what?'
Nothing
"Francine,'
yes. Jack"
You are bIushing; you have a secret -
Not from you, Jack; 1 meant 10 tell
you some day"
Then tell me now"
"Oh. how stern you look, Really, 1
always meant 20 tell you-but somehow [
have never had an opportunity There,
don't look 40 me; turn away your head
So. You see, it was little serious az
| FIRST
"Frauciner'
"Ah. please not 20 look, or I can't tell
/ you. IL was at Lady Martins ball But
( it isn't serious now. Jack. I've got over
il. L was ever so long back, quite six
months ago. my salad days in fact, every
/ one has salad days. haven't they?"
Go on" said Lethby, staring mOrOsely
at the wall
lie was going next day 10 st. Peters
burg We had a waltz together; then he
/ took me to the library. and. and-he
/ kissed me, Jack"
/ "Ah. and you2" very sternly.
/ Il. I rather liked IT, He asked me to
/ be his wife.
-'Francine. you love himr'
The girls lips trembled. Mo, Jack
] not now"
THE Internal cad" growled Capt. Leth-
/ by.
You are wrong" cried the girl Il, ]
refused him. I have no right to COM
/ plain"
Tell that TO the marinesl" cried the
! captain rudely. getting noisily to his feet
| as he spoke. But al that moment a serv-
/ ant tapped AT the door and entered, with
! the announcement, The Countess OF Ho-
! benstein"
/ "I forgot to tell YOU she was coming,
! please stay. jack said Miss Elliott
And Lord Francis Cressingham" con.
| tinued the footman pompously.
| On mention Of the second name. Miss
Elliott turned quite pale and rose abrupt.
| ly- How do you do2" she said. holding
/ out her hand to the lady, who was paus-
/ ing on the threshold Then so glao
/ YOU came; allow me to preseut-thC
/ Countess of Hub5ustein-Capt Lethby
/ Won't YOU sit here. COuntoSs2 How dye
/ do Lord Francis 1 fancy YOU gentle.
/ men are acquainted. James. some fresh
/ tea, please-and wine; or would you pre-.
/ fer spirit, Lord Fraucis?'
NO. thanks. cup of tea, if 1 may
/ Lord Francis Cressinsham's handsome
/ and determined face was not seen to ad.
| vantage just then; ne looked a little hqg
I sara ana CaEeWoIIs ana appeared 10 tt
ntrv0usly uneasy. FOR his eyeri1ss defeC
/ his efforts to adjust it firmly in its place
! Capt. Lethby favored him with the cold
/ est Of mods, and turned to observe tht
! countess.
/ Katherin ViyelIA, Countess Of Hoben-
stein. was a woman OF perhaps six-ond
/ thirty years Of age, but she was SO masi
/ C3lly preserved. and possessed Of sucf
! excessive physical Vitality that she seem
/ ed at the utmost tyScnly-nine.
/ She was somewhat above the averag,
1 height and nodded dangerously the lith,
| and fascinating curves OF her generously
| ample figure defying the suspicion of ar
/ in construction, although her gown was
/ Of itself a veritabIe artistic triumph Be
meath a cloak, which presently she cas-
/ carelessIy aside. she were a clinging
/ seamless robe Of fine gray lawn that fit
! ted her with glove-like, cioseness, its sim
/ pliciIy daring to excess
! Her face, less beautiful than bewitch
/ ingiy attractive. was the face Of an en-
/ chantress. It's only strictly perfect fea
/ ture was the nose. which was Of classi,
| straightness. Her forehead was broaC
and high. draped with a heavy fringe o
/ darll-brown hair. parted sharply 10 on,
/ side. Her teeth and fUll. red-lipped moutl
/ were expressive and aSluring. but seeyne,
| strangely at odds with her Iow-iitk he
Eastern eyes, which, SIT ITregulaTly uI y