The Washington herald., 1907-10-15
CHAPTER VIII.

slight suppression during Holy Week.
It is then that the results of the season
are tabulated. and the coming June we'd
dings announced. Two such announce
ments were made which surprised society
that Of Sir Percy Csrlyon, first secre-
tary of the British Embassy, TO Miss
Lucy Armytage. whose name most Of
the smart set heard for the first time, and
that Of Senator March 10 Mrs. Vernon.
the charming Englishwouan, who had
been received with open arms by the
sTnartest Of the smart. The first was
paralyzing IN the effect it produced. The
British Embassy, and all that belongs to
1t, is reckoned the peculiar property Of
the smart set, and for any one attached
10 that embassy to go outside Of the
smart set for a bride seemed almost q
violation Of international law, to say
nothing of diplomatic usage. Every par
ticular about Miss Armytage. as the facts
came 10 light, was more appalling; she
was from q provincial Kentucky town, Of
which nobody. outside OF Kentucky. had
ever heard; she was the niece Of Rep
resentetive in Congress. who lived In
downtown hotel; she had never been 10
Europe, and Newport and Lenox were
unknown to her Almost the only fash
ionable house at which she had ever been
seen was that Of the Chantreys, and So
ciety had. from the beginning. bestowed
Eleanor Chanuey's hand upon Sir Percy
Carlyon.
Deep in Eleanor's heart was a disap-
pointed dream OF ambition. She had her
self too well in hand to fall In love with
Sir Percy Carlyon. or any other man.
until her love had been asked, but his
eligibility had been suggested to her a
great many times, chiefly by Mrs. Chan
trey. who had visions Of possessing the
British Embassy, body and bones; herself
the ambassadress, her daughter the wife
OF the first secretary. Some hint Of this
Mrs. Chantrey let drop to Eleanor when
they sat together at tea in Eleanor $
yellow boudoir on the day that Sir Percy
Carlyons engagement was announced.
There are ways by which a daughter, as
perfectly well bred as Eleanor Chantrey,
can silence a garrulous mother, and this
is what Eleanor did.
I'VE must go this afternoon" she said
calmly, and call on Miss Armytage. I
think her a charming girl, quite clever
enough to fill any position whatever"
Mrs Chantrey being civilly bullied by
her daughter, the two drove down later
to the Armytages' hotel, and. instead Of
merely leaving cards. waited 10 know
whether they could see Mrs. and Miss
Armytage. They were ushered up into
the modest sitting-room. which had been
the scene Of some halyeon hours 10 Lucy
and Sir Percy Carlyon.
Eleanor Chantrey, the most sincere Of
women, honestly admired Lucy Armytage,
and the quiet dignity and grace with
which Lucy received her congratulations
confirmed Eleanor in her previous opin-
ion, that Lucy Armytage would be equal
TO any position. She thanked Eleanor
warmly for her good wishes and kind in
terest, and the two girls were drawn
closer together by the innate nobility
which both OF them POSSESSED.
Meanwhile, Sir Percy was having what
might be called "a roaring time" at the
embassy with Lord Baudesert his Aunt
Susan, and Jane. Sarah, and Isabella.
Sometimes even sheep will make a feint
Of butting, and, following Lord Bauds-
sert's tigerish assault. the Verekers butted
and prodded as viciously as they knew
how. Sir Percy had chosen tea-time as
the hour to break the news TO MS family.
He first had q private interview with
Lord Baudesert in his library. The am
bassador happened to have a real and
not a diplomatic touch Of gout, and was
correspondingly savage. When Sir Percy
cooIly, and without any preamble. an
nounced that he was engaged to Miss
Arnytage. and that the wedding would
take place at Bardstown, KY, in
the middle Of June Lord Baudesert al
most jumped from his chair with wrath
and surprise and then fell back again
overwhelmed with disgust
You sWOre TO me" he beloved THAT
you would never marry an American"
Sir Percy grinned and stroked his mus
tsche.
We'll" he said. 'T am Of that opinion
still This is the only American I would
ever marry under any possible circum-
stances, and I don't propose to do it but
once"
You know the disadvantages Of it."
cried Lord Baudesert, humping the table;
''her money viii be tied up as tight as
wax; you will have a trail OF relations
following you all over Europe. and the
whole thing is the most damnable mess
have ever heard Of In my life"
Call 1t anything you please" replied
Sir Percy, still smiling only be careful
how you mention Miss Armytage AS
for her money being tied up she has very
little, so it really doesn't matter"
This was like throwing a bushel Of
dynamite into a burning house Lord
Baudesert forgot his gout and, getting up
from his chair. strode up and down the
room, dragging his equity leg after him
and muttering savagely to himself, with
Al lot
marriages Presently Sir Percy rose and
went into the drawing-room, followed by
Lord Baudesert There sat Mrs. Vereker
and the three girls, and while Mrs We're
ker was handing Sir Percy his tea he
remarked casually to her:
Aunt Susan. I hope very much that
you and the girls VIII, as soon as you
conveniently can, call upon Miss Army
tage, who has done me the honor Of
promising to become my wife"
II the big chandelier In the middle Of
the room had tumbled on the tea table.
and had been followed by a patch of the
blue sky, Mrs. Vereker could not have
been more astounded; her jaw dropped.
and the three girls. horror-stricken, gazed
at Sir Percy, who went on drinking his
tea with the most exasperating calmness.
Engaged to Miss Armytage." raur-
INJURED Mrs. Vereker despairingIy. when
she found her voice. "A most incredible
thing. I think you must De joking. and
that you are really engaged to Miss
Chantrey."
I assure you that I am not" replied
Sir Percy. Give me another cup of tea.
please. Isabella"
Mamma" said Isabella, without pay
ing the slightest attention to Sir Percy's
request, he is simply teasing US. He
certainly is engaged to Miss Chantrey. Il
have heard II suggested a dozen times In