Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-01-27

ders.
"Oh. my cigars and Scotch are fairly
comforting" put in Jack. complacent-
ly. Besides. Jane isn't at all bad
looking. "-winking at me. What do
YOU say. CharlIe?"
But Charlie had not time to answer.
The gray-haired. gray-whiskered am
bassador was bowling pleasantly 10
us. dozen notable military and
naval attaches nodded: and we passed
on 10 the ballroom. where the or
chestra was playing "A Summer Night
In Munich" In a moment Jack and
his wife were lost in the maze Of
cleaning shoulders and white linen.
II was a picture such as few men.
once having witnessed Il. can forget
Here were the great men I'm the great
world: this man was an old rear-ad-
miral. destined TO become the nations
hero soon; there. a famous general.
OF long and splendid service: cele-
brated statesmen. diplomats. finan-
riers; a noted English duke: n scion OF
the Hapsburg family. an intimate Of
the German kaiser; swart Jap: q
Chinaman with his peacock feather;
tens OF men whose lirhtest word was
listened 20 by the four ends OF the
world: representative OF all the great
kingdoms and states The president
and HIS handsome wife had lust left
as we came. so we missed that for
mality. which detracts from the pleas
ures OF the ballroom
who is that handsome young fell
low over there. standing az the side
OF the Russian ambassadors wife?"
asked Nancy. pressing my arm.
Where Oh. he's Count Karloff
Cor something that sounds Ike iD,
a wealthy Russian. I'm some way con-
nected with the Russian government;
a diplomat and capital fellow. they
say. I have never met him. d.
Hello! there's stunning girl right
next TO him that haven't seen before.
Where are you golng?"
Nancy had dropped my arm and was
gliding. kitty-cornsr fashion. across
the floor. Presently she and the stun
ming girl had saluted each other after
the impulsive fashion OF American
girls, and were playing cat-in-the-cra-
die, to the amusement OF those for
eigners nearest A nod. and was
threading my way to Nancy's side.
Isn't II glorious?" she began. This
is Miss Annesley Charlie: Betty. Mr..
Henderson" Miss Annesley looked
mildly curious at Nan, who suddenly
flushed I'VE are to be married in the
spring" she exclaimed shyly; and I
dare say that there was a difhdent
expression on my own face.
Miss Anneslay gave me her hand.
smiling You are a fortunate man.
Mr.. Henderson"
Not the shadow of a doubt" Miss
Annesley. | frankly admitted on the
spot, was. next to Nancy, the handsom-
est girl ever saw; and as thought Of
Mr. Robert in his den at home. sin
cerely pitied him. was willing to
advance the statement that had he
known. pair OF clutches would not
have kept him away from No 1900
Connecticut avenue.
found three chairs. and we sat
down There was. for me. very little
opportunity TO talk. Women always
have so much 10 say TO each other.
even when they haven't seen each 9TH
er within "a hours. From time TO time
Miss Annesley glanced at me, and
am positive that Nancy was extollin.
my charms II was rather embar-
RAISING. and | was balling my gloves
up In most dreadful fashion.
AS they seldom addressed a word TO
me. | soon became absorbed in the
passing scene. I was presently aroused.
however.
Mr.. Henderson. Count KarIof."
Miss Annesley was saying. CKarioff
is name of my own choosing.
haven't the remotest idea II # means
anything in the Russian language. I
hope not)
Charmed" The counts rs were
very pleasantly rolled. I could see by
the way his gaze roved from Miss An
nesley to Nancy that he was puzzled
to decide which came the nearer to his
idea of womanhood.
I found him a most engaging fellow,
surprisingly well-informed on Ameri-
can topics. credit myself with being
fairly good reader of faces. and. read
Ing his as he bent IL In Miss An
nesley's direction, / began 20 worry
about Mr.. Roberts course OF true love.
Here was man who possessed a title,
social position: Il would take an ex-
traordinsry American girl to look
cQldiy upon his attentions. by e.ad BIZ