The Irish standard., 1906-06-09


you kncwD-
| 'Iic is charming and handsome.
With his uniform and sabcr:
And his fine black eyes
| Look love as he rides by"
while the chef in the kitchen eiarcd
furiously at his omelette soufie, and
i, vowed terrible things to M'sieE Thames
IL he looked at Celeste more han twice
day
Good morning" said M'sieu thames,
hanging up his towel. His face glowed
Us the result of the vigorous rubbing
1t had received
"l'on jour"
Don't give me any of Your long
joors. Mis-. "-stolidly. There's only
one language for me, and that's Eli
g1ish."
Mcrci! You Anglaises az. SC con-
ceit! How you like me to teach you
French. eli M'sicu Zhamcs:"
Not for me. "-shaking his mead.
She was >e,y pretty. and under or
diGary oi:clms tances He cid
not finish the thought, but will for
him. Under ordinary circumstances
M'sieu Thames would have kisse, her.
"No teach you French? Non? En-
traorrdnaire!" She tripped away
laughing. while the chef tugged at his
royal and M'sieu thames whistled.
Hang the WITCH" the new groom
murmured "Her mistress must ho
very generous, or very positive of her
own charms, to keep a sprite like this
maid about her. l wonder If I'll run into
Karloff?" Karloff! The name chilled
him, somehow. What was Karloff to
her! Had he known that she was to
be in Washington for the winter? What
irony, if fate should make him the
groom and Karloff the bridegroom! If
Karloff loved her, he could press his
suit frankly and openly. And, as mat
tiers stood, what chance on earth had
he, Warburton? CHUCK was right
I've made a mistake, and | am begin
ming to regret it the very first morn
ing" He snapped his fingers and pro-
ceeded to the right wing, where the
horses were.
At nine o'clock he led Jane and Dick
out to the porte-cochere and waited.
He had not long to loiter, for she came
out at once, drawing on her gauntlets
and taking in long breaths of the
morning air. She nodded briefly, but
pleasantly, and came down the steps.
Her riding habit was of the conven-
tional black, and her small, shapely
boots were of patent-leather. She
wore no hat on her glorious head,
which showed her good sense and her
scorn for frecliles and sunburn
I'VE shall ride north, James; the
roads are better and freer. Jane has a
horror of cars"
eyes, Miss Anneslcy, "-deferential-
ly. you will have to teach ME the lay
of the land here-abouts, as l am rather
green"
III see to it that you are made per-
fectly acquainted with the roads. You
do not know Washington very we'll,
them"
mo, Miss. Shall give you a-er-
boot up?" He blushed. He had al
most said 'Ieg up"
She assented and raised her boot,
under which he placed his palm, and
sprang into the saddle. He mounted
In his turn and waited.
when We ride alone, James, shall
not object to your riding at my side:
but when have guests, always remem-
Der to keep five yards to the rear"
eyes, Miss" If he could have got
rid of the idea of Karloff and the pos
sibilities which his name suggested, all
this would have appealed to him as ex-
ceedingly funny.
forward, then!"-and she touched
James flank with her crop.
The weather was perfect for riding;
no sun, a keen breeze from the north
west, and dust-settlcd road. War;
burton confessed to me afterward that
this first ride with her was one of the
most splendid he had ever ridden
Both animals were perfect saddle
horses, such as are to be found only in
the south. They started up the road at
brisk trot, and later broke into a
canter which lasted fully mile. How
beautiful she was, when at length they
slowed down into walk! Her cheeks
were flaming, her eyes dancing and full
of luster her hair was tumblcd about
and tendrils fluttered down her cheeks.
She was Diana; only he hoped that she
was not inclined to celibacy.
"Have you ever ridden with women
before, James,"
Several times with my majors
daughter. "--thoughtlcssly.
"Your majors daughter? Who was
your regimental colonel?"
James bit his lips, and under his
breath disregarded Williams warming
about "cussing." Permit me, Miss
Annesley, to decline to answer"
"Did you ride as an attendant"
eyes; was trooper"
"You speak very good English for a
stableman."
81 have not always been a stable
man."
81 dare say. should give good
deal to know what you have been.
Come, James, tell me what the trou-
BILE was. have influence; | might help
you"
II am past help; (which was true
enough, only the real significance Of
his words passed over her head. II
thank you for your kindness"
If she was piqued, she made no sign.