The Washington herald., 1906-10-10
CHAPTER II.
Portraits.


Portraits.
Miss Francine Elliott, only daughter of
Col Vernon Elliott, V c.. c. b., sat one
afternoon in the library of her fathers
house I'm Berkeley Square giving tea to
her cousin and intimate friend. Capt.
I.cthby. of the First Dragon Guards
Miss Elliott was twenty-fOUT years OF
age. and a girl of much parts and char
acter. She managed. unaided. her fathers
household, her mother having died IN her
infancy: she was president of a woman's
franchise society. secretary to an impOr-
tant private charitable institution, and
treasurer 10 one of the largest working
girls clubs in London. She had already
painted two pictures which had been hung
in the Royal Academy; she possessed an
exceedingly sweet COutraltO voice. and
for four years past had sung ~ almost
every charitable concert organized IN the
city. She Was a clever cOnversau0naIist,
and much iH demand for four o'cl0cks
and dinner parties, she loved dancing
above all other pleasures. and during the
five seasons since She had been out had
cuntrived 10 be present and enjoy herself
az almost every fashionable ball given
by society's set
Naturally she was a very busy young
woman indeed. who had very little spare
time ever on her hands bat in spite of
her manifold duties and in spite of her
popularity and the adulatiou she received
in consequence. she remained an un-
spoiled and unassumiug girl remarkable
chiefly for "a sweet and apprOaChable de-
mcdn0r and a mannor whose charm was
universally admitted. and which converted
her most distant acquaintance into ad-
miring friends.
She was rather tall. slight. hut not
thin she had "a firm but gliding gait. an
unimaginably graceful carriage Her
eyes were large and blue as the sea
they looked at one directly. straight and
true Her chin was prominent but soft
~ rounded; her family aquilne nose was
beautifully shaped. and IFS curved and
quivering nostrils strangely matched the
sensitive mouth beneath She seemed to
eXhale kindness and distinction. To see
her was TO wish TO know her
Capt. Lethby had been In love with his
cousin for quite six years. but after two
refusals OF his suit he had gradually set
tied into the assured position Of her
chum and closest friend. He had not
abandoned all hope of winning her. but
his addresses were never in evidence, and
In consequence he had enjoyed for two
years the privilege of her fullest conf
dence. and was usually also her ap-
pointed escort He found In such con
stant companionship a solace for his
long-repressed desires. and was therefore
satisfied 10 walt He was frank and
geuerous-hearted gentleman. not good
looking but he looked good. and IN spite
Of rather blunt and off hand manners.
was the best-llked officer in lis regi-
meHt il IS true that he spent his money
freely, and that he had plenty 10 spend.
being an only son and heir % a baronetcy
and uninvolved estates. two advantage
alone sufficient 10 win f.r almost any
man a certain popularity
His open face al present wore an ex-
preston Of embarrassment, for Miss FL
lott was attendvely regarding him.
awaiting HIS reply to a question he ap-
peared TO find a difficulty IN answering.
Lord Francis Cressingham is a friend
OF yours. surely2" she repeated. HE
ued 10 be. / know" added the girl
Capt. Lethby fenced with her. "Oh.
ah we'll Of course. he used 20 be one Of
US, you know"
But you do not like him? out with
IT, Jack. YOU have no secrets from me.
have yOu?" with an arch smile
Capt Lethby hdgeted in his chair.
We'll, er. the fact is, Francine. I like
him well enough It's q question OF re-
Spe-I You see. ne gDJ badly mixed up
in that Russian affair and although De
resigned al once. he hasn't attempted to
give out anything like a proper explana-
tion. Our fellows say there was more liz
lt than mere Carelessuess. and then. he
been acting so queerly ever since. Never
goes anywhere except 10 the house of
that foreign Countess What s-her-name.
And even when one meets him there he
keeps out OF ones road. Funny business
altogether May I smoke2"
Why. yes of course. But what do you
think OF It yourself2"
Capt LeJhby pu0ed out three long
smoke wreaths "Hum. er-weu Blessed
If / know what 20 think. No more tea.
thanks. What makes you so keen about
him. Francine?-
Inc girl gave q queer little smile. You
might offer me a cigarette. Jack.
Thanks As she III the cigarette she
gave contentcd sigh and remarked. Il
was there myself last night
'Where?"
AT the Countess of Hobenstefr"s s.
The deucet Beg pardon. Francine. but
what under heaven took you there?"
"A hanson
But, er You know-er. they say the
Queen refused 10 receive her.