The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-07-20

Outside the stately old mansion the
press of carriages was growing almost
unmanagcable. Within the ripple of
soft laughter and waving Of many fans,
the glitter and glow of diamonds be-
spoke the fact that Lady Cheynemore
had thrown open Little Darlington
House for The celebrated tableaux of
which all London had been talking for
the Wec. past.
The greatest beauties of the season
were To pose, we'll known artists had
consented TO arrange and drape their
lovely models, and every body" was
there.
Near the door, a little out of the 1
crush, Nigel Austruther stood and
looked about him with the eyes of
the man to whom London sights have
been strange for the last six years.
He was little amused and little
bored. Society functions were not
much in his line. Just back from In
dia on leave, he had run up to town to
see one or two old friends, and Homo
ria Dprwcntwater, having no spare
mo:AeIt 10 grant him from her other
guests, had suggested his coming on to
Lady Cheynemore's.
Ii was rather nuisance, but he
wanted 10 get back to the country next
morning if possible. And, after all,
the color, the lights, the pretty women,
We're not 50 bad Presently he must
find IIonoria and ask the question that
this afternoons crowd had rendered
impossible to put. 1t was expected of
him, lie supposed. His people had al
ways hoped for it, And then all at
once. by Il sudden freak Of the mag
nation, as he glanced about for the
fair English face there rose before him
the laughing, miSchievous eyes of the
little American girl who had leased,
bewiIdercd and thoroughly enchanted
him during those few brief weeks In
Sinia. Where was she now?
Invoiuntari!y his thoughts wandered
back to the day when he had seen her
first, dainty and sweet in fluffy white.
sitting under Il marquee at the vice
roy's reception. She seemed such lit
tie thing that he started IN surprise
when she complained OF being unable
to secure Il really good riding horse.
The hands she held out for inspection
were absurdly small. Still doubtful, he
had vet managed to get for her the
best womau's mount to be had in Sim
Ii. But the first minute she was up his
misgivings vanished. She certainly
could ride.
After that every day they were out
together exploring the hills, trotting
gayly over. the smooth, hard roads,
Mrs. Wharton, only too glad that Ethel
had found some one to go with her,
conscnting willingly. And every day
Anstruthcr's admiration deepened. If
there was one thing he approved most
it was good seat.
The girls father was dead, and she
and her mother, frail but indomlta-
BILE spirited woman, We're leisurely see
Ing the world. After sitting In Bonn
bay, they had run up to Simla for the
breezeS and fingered on, pleased with
the queer little town and the Anglo
Indian life 1t was quite gay at that
season. Simla was full and every day
there were dinners, luncheonS. teas and
picnics.
Would Anstruther ever forget the
moonlight picnic he gave? The night
had been glorious. Under the soft glow
Of all Indian moon the hills lay miStily
radiant, every leaf on the deodarS
seeming to stand out with vivid life.
Ethel Wharton and Anstruther with
several others had gone on horseback,
the rest of the party in rickshaws with
coolies to carry the provisions. The pic
mic had been n great success. And then
came the ride home. By a mutual
though unspoken impulse Anstruther
and Ethel had dropped back OF the
others. Both We're conscious of GER
tain eXaltation Of mood, vague ex-
element due to the influence OF the
moon-perhaps. Gradually their talk,
ut first animated and quick. s@ckened
to monoSyllableS and at last died
away.
For several moments they rode on III
silence; then, as If oppressed by the
stiffness, the girl began to sing. 10
music of her own she had set some
words by George Macdonald: Lady
Moon, Lady Moon, where are you row
Inc? over the sea. Lady Moon, Lady
Moon. whom are you loving? All who
love me-"
Anstruthcr, listening, was aware or u
sudden pang. Was she going over the
| sea? Would she be going home!
Lady Moon,'' he began unsteadily.
| 'Ah, that is you-So white, 80 fair, SO
| perfect. And you, too, will pass from
us. What shall we do without your
lght?'
The girl glanced at him quickly.
Lady Moon, Lady Moon, whom are
| YOU Ioving:" she hummed. Anstruther,
his heart suddenly beating fast, leaned
| forward.
"Do you mean that?" he demanded
tcnscly. do you love those who love
you? For you know that /, Ether
| rs something in the girls face made
his pulses leap. But. the great crimson
| waves flooding up over brow anu
check, she touched her horse smartly.
| Come" she said breathlessly, I'll
| race you Nome.
| Anstruther went back that night to
his quarters. glad eXultation tingling
through every vein. She cared, he was
sure she cared.
And then the sight OF Il long, official
looking envelope on his table for Il mo
| ment drove every other thought from
his mind. His orders were to report
Mt once. There had been Il sharp up
| rising In the hills. He must take his
regiment out without delay, nor could
he tell how long his absence might be.
| With barely time to fling few neces-
sarieS into his kit bag and scratch a
haSty note to Miss Wharton he was of.
Three weeks later, returning, tired,
brouZcd and eager, the first thing to
meet his eyes was the note still lying
where the forgetful boy had left IT..
And Miss Wharton and her mother
were gone Ten days ago they had
left, he was told. There was no clew
by which to follow them: no one knew
| whittier they had departed.