The Washington herald., 1907-10-08

and historical account OF BardstowG. the
dimple in her cheek meanwhile coming
and going.
81. Percy listened. surprised and
amused The affected dryness Of what
Miss Armytage was telling was iNumi-
mated with little turns and sparkles Of
wit; and from Bardstown she proceeded TO
give with the utmost seriousness, a brief
synopsis Of the history and resources Of
the State Of Kentucky Sir Percy grew
more and more amused. He perceived
that she was diverting herself with him.
a thing no woman had ever done before.
He had heard of American hUmOT. but he
did not know that the women possessed
it. He felt sure that Miss Armytage was
a real hUmorist. and also a sentimental
lst when she said. presently:
Il was at a great dinner in New York
last week. and as we were sitting at the
table I heard an organ grinder, in the
street outside. playing Ny Old Kentucky
Home and while I was listening and
thinking about Bardstown. two tears
dropped into my soup. I never was so
ashamed IN my life"
She looked into Sir Percy's eyes with
an appealing air. like a child who knows
not whether it IS 70 be rebJked or praised.
Her whole air and manner radiated in
terest in Sir Percy as she asked softly:
What do you suppose the other people
at the table thought of me?'
Sir Percy answered her as any other
man would:
THAT you had a very tender heart"
He was charmed with her simplicity
/ combined with her natural grace. A mo-
meHt after, a young naval man came up
and claimed Miss Armytage for dance.
/ She turned to go with him, but looked
/ backward at Sir Percy with a glance
such as CIytie might have given the de
1 parting lord Of the unerrIng bow, Her
l glance. quick yet soft. was much the
/ prettiest thing Of the sort Sir Percy had
ever seen. He perceived that Miss Army
I tage was the typical American girl. How
ever. he was much Disguised. as his eyes
/ followed Lucy. 10 see her glanCing up into
the eyes OF Stanley, the young naval
man, with precisely the same look of ap-
.
bewitched himself two minutes before
He hated a coQuette with an English
mans hatred Of being tTifed with by q
/ woman. and Immediately classified Miss
/ Armytage. OF Bardstown. KY. as a very
/ finished coquette, and concluded not to
/ trouble himself further about her.
/ The ball went on merrily, and It was I
! haFa "a
riages began driving away from the
/ porte cochere. Among the last guests
/ to go was Lucy Armytsge. Sir Percy was
standing 81 the hall when Lucy tripped
down the stairs and Joined an elderly.
/ gray-bearded man standing near Sir Per
cy. A long white evening cloak enveloped
I her slender figure, and a white gauze
scarf was upon her soft black hair She
/ Joined the gray-bearded man, who had
on his greatcoat, and his hat under his
arm, and then she, glancing toward Sir
Percy, cried softly:
/ 7 am so glad I met you. May I in
/ troduce my uncle7 Col, Armytage. of
I Kentucky, Sir Percy CarlyOn. Ny uncle
! is member Of Congress; in Kentucky
that makes him a colonel, though can't
/ explain why
NV dear sir" responded Col Army
/ taCe extending a cordial hand. I am
/ extremely pleased to meet you, extreme
/ " so, I am Of unmixed English descent
myself, and quite naturally 1 look upon
our country as the mother of US all"
Sir Percy tried to imagine a member
Of Parliament meeting an American as
Col. Armytage met him, but his imagi-
nation was not equal to anything SO
extraordinary. He understood however,
and appreciated the frank, unconven-
t!onal goodwill which animated Col
Armytage. and replied with sincere
/ courtesy:
Il am always glad TO hear that senti-
ment from an American. and be assured
we feel the tie of blood as much as you
do"
some OF you do" answered Lucy
oracularly, but some Of you don't.
can tell you a narrowing tale Of little
upstart Englishman. Pray excuse me-
Col. Armytage scowled at Lucy.
You must forgive her. my dear sir. >
he said 20 Sir Percy; this child has q
charter TO say and to do as she pleases
and Mrs Armytage and myself are un-
der bond to obey her. l shall have much
pleasure In seeing you If you will honor
me with q call That / believe, is tht
custom in Washington, but / assure you
sir, in the State Of Kentucky, It would
be the native who would call first, anC
such would be my desire II II were not
for this Internal official etiquette which
forbids f. Mrs. Armytage and my niece
receive on Tuesdays" and he named Z
large downtown hotel. which had
ceased to be fashionable about forty
years before. but still WIS frequented by
Southern and Western Representatives