The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-06-23
CHAPTER XIV.

forgive me for the ten minutes agony
which sratuitously added to his meas
ure. 1t came about in this wise.
was on my way down Seventeenth
street that afternoon, and it was in
front of fashionable apartment house
that l met him. He was seated on
his Don, the whip at the proper angle
and his eyes riveted on his pairs ears.
1t was the first time had seen him
since the day Of the episode at the
police-station. He was growing thin.
He did not see me, and he did not
even notice me till stopped and the
sounds of my heels on the walk ceased.
Arms akimbo. | surveyed him.
"Well?" | began. l admit that the
smile offered him was deal like
that which a cat offers cornered
mouse.
What have you to say for your
self?" l went on.
Nothing for myself. but for you,
move on and let ME alone, or when l
get the opportunity, Chuck, I'll punch
your head, glasses or no glasses"
PARLIAMENTARY or no brother-in-
law"
Chuck, will you go ?"-hoarsely,
II mean it"
l saw that he did "You don't look
very happy for man who has cracked
so tremendous a joke"
"Will you go along?"
J mot till get good and ready,
James. I've told too many lies on your
account already not to make myself a
present of this joyful reunion. Has
Miss Annesley any idca of the impos-
ture?"
He did not answer.
"How did you like waiting in Scott
Circle the other night?"
Still no answer. have half an idea
that he was making ready to leap from
his box. He ran his fingers up and
down the lines. could see that he was
mad through and through; but en-
joyed the scene nevertheless. He de-
served little roasting on the gridirOn.
! Il am given to understand" con-
tinued, that you act as butler, be-
sides, and pass soup around the
table"
Silence. Then heard door close,
and saw a look of despair grow on his
face. l turned and saw Miss Anneslcy
and Mrs. Chadwick coming down the
steps.
"Why, how do you do, Mr.. Hender-
son? Mrs. Chadwick"
II have already had the pleasure of
meeting this famous young orator."
purred Mrs. Chadwick, giving me her
hand. She was fashionable not to
say brilliant, intrigante knew her
to have been concerned indirectly with
half dozen big lobby schemes. She
was rather wealthy But she was
seen everywhere, and everywhere was
admired. She was as completely at
home abroad as here in Washington.
She was widow. perhaps 80, hand
some and fascinating, delightful ra-
contour, and had the remarkable rep
utation of never indulging in scandal.
She was the repository of more secrets
than | should care to discover.
recall one night at n state function
when she sat between the French am
bassador and that willy Chinaman, Ii
Hung Chang. She discOursed on wines
In French with the ambassador and
Immediately turned to the Chinaman
and recited Conf,lcius in the original
Chinese
Not until recently did learn that at
one time Karloff had been very at
tentivc to her.
"Whcre are you bound?" asked Miss
Annescy.
~ am on the way to the war depart
mcnt"
PLENTY of room; jump in and we
shall drop you there. James, drive to
the war department"
Ordinarily l should have declined,
as ! generally prefer to walk; but in
this instance IT would be supcrlluous
to say that | was delighted to accept
the invitation. I secretly Rugged my
self as thought Of the driver.
"How is Miss Warburton?" asked
Miss Annesley, as she settled back
among the cushions.
beautiful as ever" / replied. smil-
Ing happily.
"You must meet Miss Warburton,
Grace, speaking to Mrs. Chadwick,
who looked at me with polite inquiry.
Zone of the most charming girls In the
land, and as good as she is beautiful.
Mr.. Henderson is the most fortunate
of young men,"
$50 ] admit. She was greatly dis
appointed that you did not meet her
younger brother" First shot at the
groom.
II did expect to meet him, but
understand that he has gone on a
hunting expedition. Whom does he re-
scmble?"
Neither Nancy nor jack" l said.
'He's a good-looking beggar, though,
only you can't depend upon him for
five minutes at time. Haunt seen
the family in more than two years.
Spends ono night at home. and is off
again, no one knows where Some
persons like him, but I like a man with
more stability. Not but that he has
his good points; but he is born
vagabond. His brother expects to get
him berth at Vienna and is working
rather successfully toward that end"
I wondered how this bit of news af-
fected the groom.
"a diplomat" said Mrs. Chadwick.
"That is the life for young man with
brains. 1s he good linguistic